CWU Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 90.62%. Not very selective
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $9,417
- Out-of-State Tuition: $27,526
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at CWU:
- Total Enrollment: 10,811, including 2,377 online students
- 10,317 Undergraduate, 494 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 44.4% men, 55.6% women.
- This is a medium-sized institution, offering diverse programs and student activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 54%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 70%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 149 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 8 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 36 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's.
CWU Overview
Central Washington University (CWU) is a four-year, public school located in Ellensburg, WA. Central Washington University was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Master's College and University (larger programs)) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The CWU's tuition & fees is $9,417 for Washington residents and $27,526 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 58% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $9,441.
The school has a total enrollment of 10,811 and the students to faculty ratio is 15 to 1 (6.67%).
CWU's acceptance rate is 90.62% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 20.03%.
CWU ranked 17th in Washington Colleges rankings. Central Washington University is accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Central Washington University is $9,417 for in-state students and $27,526 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $13,220 for in-state students and $28,031 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $9,648 for Washington residents and $28,302 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $13,556 for Washington residents and $28,821 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,417 | $27,526 |
|---|
| Graduate | $13,220 | $28,031 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,648 | $28,302 |
|---|
| Graduate | $13,556 | $28,821 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Central Washington University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at CWU
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army, Air Force |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
Central Washington University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing CWU