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Central Washington University

Central Washington University is a public university in a distant town with 8,309 students and a 91% acceptance rate.

Ellensburg, Washington · Public · Town, distant · 8,309 students

NCAA Division II · Great Northwest Athletic Conference

Admission rate

91%

of applicants admitted

Average net price

$18,476

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

54%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

69%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$61,580

10 years after entry

Students

8,309

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadline
Rolling admission
The college reviews applications as they arrive until the class is full.		January 31, 2026

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: cwu.edu · checked October 1, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income

$0–30,000$11,846
$30,001–48,000$13,942
$48,001–75,000$16,022
$75,001–110,000$21,682
Over $110,000$26,719

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

AP credit

Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit
ExamMin scoreCentral Washington University courseCredits
Calculus AB3MATH
Calculus BC3MATH
Biology3BIOL
Chemistry3CHEM
Physics 13PHYS
United States History3HIST
Psychology3PSY
Computer Science A3CS
Show all 39 exams and every score level
ExamMin scoreCourseCredits
Calculus AB3MATH
Calculus BC3MATH
Biology3BIOL
Biology4BIOL
Chemistry3CHEM
Chemistry5CHEM
Physics 13PHYS
United States History3HIST
United States History4HIST
Psychology3PSY
Psychology4PSY
Computer Science A3CS
Computer Science A5CS
Macroeconomics3ECON
Microeconomics3ECON
World History: Modern3HIST
Environmental Science3ENST
Environmental Science5ENST
Physics 23PHYS
European History3HIST
European History4HIST
Human Geography3GEOG
Computer Science Principles3CS
Art History3ART
Music Theory3MUS
American Govt3POSC
American Govt5POSC
Art 2D3ART
Art 3D3ART
Art Studio3ART
Comparative Government and Politics3POSC
Comparative Government and Politics5POSC
Computer Science AB3CS
Computer Science AB5CS
Cybersecurity3IT
French Literature3WL
Lang and Comp3ENG
Latin3WL
Latin3WL
Lit and Comp3ENG
Math Statistics3MATH
Music Listening and Literature3MUS
Physics B3PHYS
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism3PHYS
Physics C: Mechanics3PHYS
Precalculus3MATH
Precalculus5MATH
Research3CPSR
Seminar3CPSS
Spanish Literature and Culture3WL
World Languages3WL
World Languages4WL
World Languages5WL

Source: catalog.acalog.cwu.edu · checked September 25, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Business Administration and Management269
Psychology246
Elementary Education and Teaching161
Information Technology129
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies126
Computer Science76
Accounting68
Biology/Biological Sciences67
Show the other 81 majors
Sociology58
Human Services48
Social Sciences44
Exercise Science and Kinesiology43
Creative Writing42
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew40
Fine/Studio Arts34
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching28
Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician27
Aviation/Airway Management and Operations27
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management26
Film/Cinema/Media Studies26
Music26
Public Health26
Construction Management25
Anthropology25
History Teacher Education25
Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician24
Communication21
Hospitality Administration/Management21
History21
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational Methods20
English/Language Arts Teacher Education17
Nutrition Sciences17
Political Science and Government17
Physics16
Chemistry15
English Language and Literature15
Spanish Language and Literature15
Music Teacher Education15
Family Systems14
Environmental Studies14
Economics14
Public Relations/Image Management12
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician11
Geology/Earth Science11
Art/Art Studies11
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)11
Apparel and Textile Marketing Management10
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia10
Culinary Arts and Related Services, Other9
Education9
Early Childhood Education and Teaching9
Industrial Technology/Technician9
Geography9
Insurance9
Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education8
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies7
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts7
Actuarial Science7
Special Education and Teaching7
Philosophy and Religious Studies6
Musical Theatre5
Public Policy Analysis5
Japanese Language and Literature5
Mathematics Teacher Education5
Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies4
Dance4
Behavioral Sciences4
Applied Mathematics4
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education4
Energy Systems Technology/Technician3
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation3
Mathematics3
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology3
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management3
Financial Planning and Services2
Art History, Criticism and Conservation2
Data Science2
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences2
Russian Language and Literature2
Special Products Marketing Operations1
Music Theory and Composition1
Acting1
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other1
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other1
French Language and Literature1
Trade and Industrial Teacher Education1
Art Teacher Education1
Women's Studies1
Pacific Area/Pacific Rim Studies1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division II, Great Northwest Athletic Conference

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Other Sports, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division II, Great Northwest Athletic Conference

Basketball, Other Sports, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball

ROTC

Air Force, Army

Faith groups

Cru, Newman Connection

Also

Honors college, Study abroad

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), valormovement.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

Town, distant

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Ellensburg, WA

48,172 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

No

More about the place

Nearest airport

Yakima Air Trml/McAllister Field (YKM)

Nearest hub airport

Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 9.3 of 20

Elevation

1,584 ft

Time zone

Pacific

January low

24°F

July high

86°F

Annual snowfall

20.3 in

Days at 90°F or higher

34 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,260 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Public, town campus, NCAA Division II, similar size