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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%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is October 3. Here are some recent data on important things to consider about Central Washington University.
Quick Facts
10,033
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Discover some relevant info 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 takes into consideration 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 students 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 incoming freshmen 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 that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Central Washington University.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by October 3.
Retention Rate
What is the freshman retention rate? The freshman retention rate is the percentage of full-time students who entered the institution as freshmen in the previous academic year and returned for the fall term of the current academic year. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for Central Washington University was 70% in 2025.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the right fit for you is not easy. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution enrolled 10,527 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 7% for that year. The school admitted a total of 782 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 3,412 male and 4,581 female full-time students in 2025. 77 full-time graduate men and 107 full-time graduate women attended 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. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 331 Asian students and 364 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,777 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 636 identified with more than one race. The school also had 70 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 40 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 62 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at Central Washington University that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for Central Washington University is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $7,469, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $26,176 for students coming from a different state. For international students, tuition fees at this school came to $26,176, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $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
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to give 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 colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at Central Washington University amounted to $16,814 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school cost $7,469, according to the data from 2025. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $10,269.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,469 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,814 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 900 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,183 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Central Washington University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 934 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $14,545.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 3,893 students who obtained 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 amounted to 4,123. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up 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 aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements 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.
1,867 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school 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 non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $4,009,376 USD.
Majors
Faculty
17:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
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. This school has recently reported to have 606 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 319 men and 287 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 details about campus life at Central Washington University.
Its campus is 380 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, 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 attracts the greatest 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. Interested in media and communication? Central Washington University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Central Washington University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
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 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
There is 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 reported acceptance rate for Central Washington University is 90%.
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The most recent reported 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.
