At a glance
Average net price
$18,476
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
53.6%
Admission rate
91%
Undergrad size
7,833
In-state tuition
$9,417
Out-of-state tuition
$27,526
Cost of attendance
$28,816
Median earnings (10y)
$61,580
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 70.0%
- Locale
- Town
Programs breakdown
26 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (36%), stem (18%), business (18%).
- STEM18%
- Health2%
- Business18%
- Humanities & arts14%
- Social sciences36%
- Trades & services12%
- Business18.3%~1,433 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Education13.9%~1,086 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology11.0%~862 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Computer science9.2%~718 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Social sciences7.5%~585 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~442 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~421 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering tech3.3%~259 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~242 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~235 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Transportation3.0%~235 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- English2.5%~200 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~186 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~150 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Communication1.9%~150 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~130 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~91 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~91 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~84 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History0.9%~74 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~49 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~31 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Liberal arts0.3%~24 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics0.3%~24 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~21 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~7 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 457 | $47,716 | $20,205 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 455 | $30,225 | $19,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 448 | $44,355 | $20,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 268 | $39,307 | $21,954 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 253 | $44,714 | $23,377 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 217 | $47,780 | $17,650 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 193 | $26,585 | $17,848 |
| Air Transportation. | Bachelor's | 174 | $39,416 | $19,500 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 148 | $34,577 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 137 | $63,052 | $19,467 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 117 | $36,440 | $26,181 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor's | 116 | $26,542 | $23,224 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 102 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 98 | $47,098 | $24,408 |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor's | 90 | $35,873 | $19,893 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 79 | — | — |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 76 | $31,645 | $26,000 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor's | 69 | $73,538 | $26,999 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 66 | $31,199 | $20,326 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor's | 64 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 64 | $47,842 | — |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 64 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor's | 59 | $26,633 | $23,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 55 | $37,000 | $16,936 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 53 | $28,926 | $25,790 |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor's | 52 | $23,677 | $22,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 50 | — | — |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 50 | — | — |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 49 | $68,024 | $25,833 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 48 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 48 | $22,474 | $24,752 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 47 | $59,580 | $22,380 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 45 | $35,097 | $18,572 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor's | 43 | $36,804 | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master's | 41 | $60,743 | — |
| Physics. | Bachelor's | 36 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 36 | $55,244 | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 36 | $24,271 | $25,250 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Master's | 35 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor's | 35 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Central Washington University
Central Washington University is a large institution located in Ellensburg, Washington, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 7,833 undergraduate students in a town setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Education, Psychology.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Central Washington University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $18,476 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $9,417 for in-state students and $27,526 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $28,816 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 53.6%, a above-average completion outcome. 70.0% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $61,580 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Central Washington University confers degrees and certificates across 26 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Education, Psychology. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (36% of credentials), stem (18% of credentials), business (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Central Washington University accepts 91% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission.
Location & campus
Set in Ellensburg, Washington (town), Central Washington University draws students from across Washington and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Central Washington University
Q.How much does Central Washington University cost?
The average net price at Central Washington University is $18,476 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $28,816.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Central Washington University?
Central Washington University has a 6-year graduation rate of 53.6% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Central Washington University?
Central Washington University admits 91% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Central Washington University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Central Washington University graduate earns $61,580 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Central Washington University?
Published tuition is $9,417 in-state and $27,526 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Central Washington University located?
Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, Washington (ZIP 98926).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Central Washington University at their official website.