Overview
Central Washington University is a public 4-year college located in Ellensburg, Washington. There are currently 8,081 undergraduates at CWU and the school’s acceptance rate is 90%. The tuition at CWU is $9,192 for in-state students and $26,771 for out-of-state.
Town
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$30,438
$33,302
$14,715
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$30,438Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$48,017Since CWU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at CWU is $30,438 for in-state students in WA, and $48,017 for out-of-state students. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at CWU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Central Washington University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at Central Washington University, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for Central Washington University is 003771.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more Washington scholarshipsWestern Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
CWU is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at CWU. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at Central Washington University
37% of students at Central Washington University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at CWU. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Central Washington University Financial Aid Resources
For more information about financial aid at CWU, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.cwu.edu/financial-aid/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 509-963-1611
Admissions
90%
Is CWU test-optional?
Central Washington University is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
17:1
Graduation Rate
50%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
17%
17% of graduates
Education
15%
15% of graduates
Psychology
11%
11% of graduates
Social Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
6%
6% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Engineering
4%
4% of graduates
English Language & Literature
4%
4% of graduates
Transportation & Materials Moving
3%
3% of graduates
Physical Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
2%
2% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
8,081
Pell Grant 31%
Undergrad Students Over 25 20%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 14%
Percent Male / Female 47% / 53%
Ethnic Diversity at CWU
56% White
22% Hispanic
8% Multiracial
5% Black
5% Asian / Pacific Islander
2% International / Non-Citizen
2% Unknown
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$61,580
Median Debt $19,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $207
Graduation Rate 50%
What is the graduation rate at Central Washington University?
50% of students who start at Central Washington University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 8% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Central Washington University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at Central Washington University is $61,580. This is $11,189 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from Central Washington University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at CWU take out in loans?
Graduates of CWU take out a median of $19,500 in federal student loans. This is $6,000 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent Central Washington University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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