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Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA
Central Washington University, commonly referred to as CWU, is a public university located in Ellensburg, Washington. Established in 1891, it has an enrollment of over 12,000 students. The university offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines, including arts, sciences, business, education, and health sciences.
What sets CWU apart is its commitment to providing a transformative educational experience to its students. The university emphasizes hands-on learning, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. CWU boasts state-of-the-art facilities and resources, including modern laboratories, research centers, and a strong network of industry partnerships, fostering opportunities for internships, research projects, and career development for its students.
CWU also prides itself on its vibrant campus community and diverse extracurricular activities. With over 160 clubs and organizations, students have ample opportunities to engage in social, cultural, and athletic activities. The universityÆs location in the scenic Kittitas Valley offers breathtaking natural surroundings, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who can take advantage of the nearby mountains, rivers, and forests for recreation and exploration. Additionally, CWU hosts numerous events, including lectures, concerts, and performances, providing enriching experiences beyond the classroom.
Overall, Central Washington University is a dynamic institution dedicated to providing a comprehensive education that prepares students for successful careers and lifelong learning. With its commitment to experiential learning, diverse campus community, and access to stunning natural landscapes, CWU offers a well-rounded college experience that nurtures academic growth while promoting personal development and active engagement with the world.
Located in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University is a public comprehensive higher education institution. This school uses a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 90%. The freshman retention rate at Central Washington University is 69% and the six-year graduation rate is 50%.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into Central Washington University.
Quick Facts
8,306
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
90%
Acceptance Rate
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
50%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most important facts you should know about admission at Central Washington University.
In 2024, the school accepted 6,272 new students. Central Washington University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 4.1% and ACT scores 1.5%. 3% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 19% between 1,200 and 1,399, 33% between 1,000 and 1,199, 38% between 800 and 999, and 6% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 15, 22 between 24-29, 44 in the range between 18-23, and 19 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.29. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Central Washington University.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Central Washington University was 69%.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 50%.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the perfect match for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 8,793 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 7. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 8,306, 196 of which were foreign students. 727 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,434 male and 3,949 female full-time students in 2024, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality. There were 77 full-time graduate male and 107 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 330 Asian students and 405 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,758 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 644 as multirace. The school also had 69 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 46 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 133 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important data on Central Washington University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
Tuition fees for area resident were $7,232, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $25,341. For international students, tuition fees at this school were $25,341, as well. Full-time students in 2024 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,186.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $25,341 | $2,186 | $27,527 |
| In-State | $7,232 | $2,186 | $9,418 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant financial factor. Most students have to set aside about $900 for books and supplies during their time at Central Washington University.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
At Central Washington University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $16,480.
| Tuition | $ 7,232 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,480 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 900 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,612 |
Financial Aid
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Central Washington University.
According to the most recent data, 908 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $13,475 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 3,766 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Central Washington University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 4,161. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $15,418,002, and state $21,550,517. The students of Central Washington University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $3,890,914, and external in the amount of $171,140.
$5,096
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,968 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 642 full-time freshman. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $15,418,002 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $48,460. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $11,059,985. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $3,630,051 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Central Washington University was 17:1: that means 17 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 643. This number included 334 men and 309 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Central Washington University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some information about social life at Central Washington University.
Its campus is 380 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to the most recent information, there are 128 open-membership organizations at Central Washington University. At this school, 42% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 58 for female students. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Society of Human Resource Management, followed by Alpha Kappa Si and Cosplay. Other popular organizations among the students at Central Washington University are Brother 2 Brother and SISTERS.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Central Washington University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. For students looking to explore media and communication, Central Washington University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Central Washington University offers a number of services vital for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Central Washington University.
All in all, campus life at Central Washington University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Central Washington University.
Career Counselling
The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career.
FAQ
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Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA.
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Central Washington University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Central Washington University is 90%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Central Washington University is 69%.
Contact Information
Central Washington University,
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA
98926
509 963-1111
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.