Overview
Ellensburg, WA Central Washington University is a public 4-year college located in Ellensburg, Washington. There are currently 8,650 undergraduates at CWU and the school’s acceptance rate is 93%. The tuition at CWU is $8,845 for in-state students and $25,910 for out-of-state.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$26,312
$26,609
$16,768
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$26,312for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$43,377for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since CWU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at CWU is $26,312 for in-state students in WA, and $43,377 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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
Students who are applying for financial aid at Central Washington University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Central Washington University is 003771.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
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Western 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
36% of students at Central Washington University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Central Washington University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
CWU students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Central Washington University Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at CWU or have questions that are specific to your personal 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
93%
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
14:1
Graduation Rate
52%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
22%
22% of graduates
Education
15%
15% of graduates
Social Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
7%
7% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
6%
6% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
5%
5% of graduates
Transportation & Materials Moving
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
4%
4% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
4%
4% of graduates
Engineering
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
8,650
Pell Grant 34%
Undergrad Students Over 25 20%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 12%
Percent Male / Female 47% / 53%
Ethnic Diversity at CWU
55% White
20% Hispanic
9% Multiracial
5% Asian / Pacific Islander
5% Black
3% Unknown
3% International / Non-Citizen
1% American Indian / Alaska Native
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$61,580
Median Debt $19,500
Debt 10 years after graduation $207
Graduation Rate 52%
What is the graduation rate at Central Washington University?
52% of students who start at Central Washington University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 6% 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?
10 years after starting school at Central Washington University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $61,580. This is $11,189 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at CWU take out in loans?
Graduates of CWU have to 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, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
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