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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.
Central Washington University is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Ellensburg, WA. This educational institution operates on a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 90%. The freshman retention rate at Central Washington University is 70%.
To find out more about what Central Washington University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
10,033
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Here are the most relevant information you have to know about admission at Central Washington University.
In 2025, the school accepted 8,081 new students. Central Washington University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those 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 first-year 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% of the students 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 3.2. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for Central Washington University was 70% in 2025.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the right place for you is not simple. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 10,527 students.
That year, the school had 7% of out-of-state students. The number of transfer students at this school was 782.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,412 male and 4,581 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. 77 full-time graduate men and 107 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Central Washington University.
This school had 331 Asian students and 364 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,777 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 636 as multirace. The school also had 70 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 40 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 62 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some details you should know about the cost of attendance for Central Washington University.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $7,469. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $26,176 in 2025. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $26,176, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $2,186 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,176 | $2,186 | $28,362 |
| In-State | $7,469 | $2,186 | $9,655 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $900.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
At Central Washington University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $16,814. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school totaled $7,469, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,469 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,814 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 900 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,183 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid at Central Washington University.
The most recent records show that 934 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $14,545 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 3,893 students who acquired 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 overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 4,123. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $19,092,463, and state $23,552,772. The students of Central Washington University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $2,911,460, and external in the amount of $185,392.
$5,327
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,867 students overall (including freshmen) at Central Washington University in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 686 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $19,092,463 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $32,690. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $11,079,821. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $4,009,376 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
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at Central Washington University was 17:1. That means that there were 17 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 606. Out of that number, there were 319 men and 287 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Central Washington University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some information about campus life at Central Washington University.
It has a campus size of 380 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 128. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 42 and female students 58. The student organization that is most favored by students is Society of Human Resource Management, followed by Alpha Kappa Si and Cosplay. Other popular student organizations at this school 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 who have a passion for 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 necessary for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health 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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 a great asset 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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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Central Washington University is 70%.
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.