Central Washington University logo

Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA·Public·www.cwu.edu/

Campus Identity

Ski TownNCAA D2Graduate Programs

Central Washington University is a mid-size public university in Ellensburg, WA. Approximately 7,833 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 91% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 21 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 44/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Central Washington University is a mid-size public university in Ellensburg, WA. Approximately 7,833 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 91% acceptance rate. Ski resorts are within 21 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 44/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

91%
Acceptance Rate
8,919 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$6,656
In-State Tuition
+$2,029 fees
$23,184
Out-of-State Tuition
+$2,029 fees
$17,224
Room & Board
7,833
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
20%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D2
Athletics
Great Northwest Athletic
Selectivity91% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D2

Great Northwest Athletic

School Size & Setting

10,000–19,999

Town setting

Beach Access

169 miles

Westport, WA

Weather

Cold Climate

44°F avg school-year

Ski Town

2,000 skiable acres7 lifts
46 mi away
2,600 skiable acres11 liftsNo Waffle Cabin
48 mi away
1,402 skiable acres8 lifts

Nearest Beach

Westport, WA

Ocean access within 168.9 miles

169 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Ellensburg, WA

30°Jan36°Feb42°Mar49°Apr58°May64°Jun72°Jul71°Aug62°Sep50°Oct38°Nov30°Dec

Station: ELLENSBURG BOWERS FIELD · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

44/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety424646
42/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
46/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
46/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$6,656$23,184
Fees
$2,029$2,029
Room & Board
$17,224$17,224
Total
$25,909$42,437
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $60

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

189 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
274 grads/yr$54,530
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsBachelor's
211 grads/yr$59,659
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
191 grads/yr$73,036
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsBachelor's
140 grads/yr$60,761
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasBachelor's
116 grads/yr$61,604

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
Bachelor's21 grads$97,869
Construction Management
Bachelor's31 grads$97,651
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Bachelor's8 grads$97,263
Computer Science
Bachelor's77 grads$95,368
Economics
Bachelor's8 grads$88,799
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Master's15 grads$85,817
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
Bachelor's28 grads$84,871
Educational Administration and Supervision
Master's10 grads$81,827
Music
Master's grads$79,115
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
Master's13 grads$75,999

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Central Washington University located?

Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA. The main campus address is 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Central Washington University?

Central Washington University has an acceptance rate of 91%, making it accessible. Out of 8,919 applicants, 8,082 were admitted in the most recent year. 7,833 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend Central Washington University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Central Washington University charges $6,656/year for in-state students and $23,184/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($17,224/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $25,213/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Central Washington University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Central Washington University?

The undergraduate application fee at Central Washington University is $60. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Central Washington University have college sports?

Yes — Central Washington University competes at the NCAA D2 level in the Great Northwest Athletic. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.

Is Central Washington University the right fit for me?

Whether Central Washington University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (91% admit rate), cost ($23,184/year out-of-state), campus culture in Ellensburg, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Central Washington University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Central Washington University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Ellensburg, WA
Size
10,000–19,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NCAA D2
Conference
Great Northwest Athletic
School Year Weather
Cold · 44°F avg
App Fee
$60
On Campus Safety Score
44/100
Nearest Airport
Yakima, WA (YKM) · 30 mialso EAT (32 mi), MWH (59 mi)

Location

Ellensburg, WA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.