Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Town (distant) · CWU

Public institution in Ellensburg, WA · 8,081 undergraduates · 90% acceptance rate · $61,580 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Top 14%Undergraduates
Top 25%In-state tuition & fees
Top 25%Median earnings, 10 years after entry

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price: $14,715654th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees: $9,192505th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $26,7711,135th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance: $25,148697th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt: $19,500574th lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry: $61,580488th highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry: $49,398572nd highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year): 49.9%1,169th highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention: 69.0%1,298th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate: 90.2%1,247th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT: —
Median ACT: —

Campus

Undergraduates: 8,081312th largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio: 17.0:11,598th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share: 31.1%1,133rd highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 89 mi (SEA)

On 1 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Most Selective Colleges in Washington#12

Applying

Common App member: Yes
Application fee: $60
Personal essay: Optional / not required
Writing supplement: No

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 100 reported programs.

Field	Level	1 yr	2 yr
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsHealth Professions	bachelors	$79,081	$70,456
Construction ManagementBusiness	bachelors	$73,035	$71,168
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/TechniciansEngineering Technology	bachelors	$68,499	$65,486
Electrical Engineering Technologies/TechniciansEngineering Technology	bachelors	$64,493	$72,482
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/TechniciansEngineering Technology	bachelors	$57,318	$56,979
MathematicsMathematics & Statistics	bachelors	$55,512	$44,384
Computer Science	bachelors	$53,775	$52,941
PhysicsPhysical Sciences	bachelors	$52,107	$41,565
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer Science	bachelors	$48,432	$46,589
Special Education and TeachingEducation	bachelors	$47,260	$47,064
Accounting and Related ServicesBusiness	bachelors	$47,173	$47,036
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsEducation	bachelors	$45,410	$43,720

Campus facts

Founded in 1891source
Motto: "Docendo Discimus"source
Athletic nickname: "Wildcats"source
Competes in NCAA Division IIsource
School colors: Crimson and Blacksource
Mascot: Wellington P. Wildcatsource
Campus size: about 380 acressource
Formerly known as "Washington State Normal School" (1891–1937)source
Formerly known as "Central Washington College of Education" (1937–1961)source
Formerly known as "Central Washington State College" (1961–1977)source
Athletic conference: GNACsource
Plays for the "Cascade Cup" (since 1922)source
Fight song: ""CWU Fight Song""source
Notable alum: Jim Mattissource
Notable alum: Craig T. Nelsonsource
Notable alum: Brian Thompsonsource

Athletics — 8 sports

NCAA Division II with football · NCAA Division II

Athletic scholarships allowed · Athletic aid $2,901,501 (M $1,719,879 · W $1,181,622)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport.