Central Washington University (CWU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Central Washington University
Set between the Cascades and open sagebrush hills, the campus has a crisp, outdoorsy feel. Central Washington University is known for hands-on learning in the arts, business, education, health, science and tech, and earth and environmental fields. Students use modern labs and studios, a strong library, and get advising, tutoring, health and counseling. The red-brick core and tree-lined walks feel welcoming.
Student life runs on Wildcat energy, with club sports, intramurals, student media, theater, music and weekend trips outside. The culture is friendly and down-to-earth. Career prep leans on internships, regional connections and alumni who open doors. And Ellensburg adds a historic downtown, coffee and art, plus quick access to rivers, trails and winter snow. Notable alum: NFL quarterback Jon Kitna.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Central Washington University (CWU) offers 98 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,621 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (10 programs, 434 graduates), Education (18 programs, 405 graduates), Psychology (4 programs, 284 graduates), Computer & IT (2 programs, 256 graduates) and Social Sciences (6 programs, 187 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (10 programs, 434 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 276 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 82 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Construction Management | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.2001 |
| Hospitality Management | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
| Insurance Studies | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1701 |
| Actuarial Science | 7 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1304 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
| Financial Planning and Services | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0804 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0203 |
| Special Products Marketing | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1909 |
Education (18 programs, 405 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Psychology (4 programs, 284 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 260 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| School Psychology | 11 |
|
Master's
|
42.2805 |
| Counseling Psychology | 8 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
| Experimental Psychology | 5 |
|
Master's
|
42.2704 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 256 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | 180 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0103 |
| Computer Science | 76 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
Social Sciences (6 programs, 187 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Social Sciences | 44 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Anthropology | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
| Economics | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Political Science and Government | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| Geography | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0701 |
Arts (11 programs, 173 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Studio Arts, General | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Film and Media Studies | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0601 |
| Art Studies | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Theatre Arts | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0501 |
| Musical Theatre | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Dance | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0502 |
| Art History and Conservation | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Acting | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0506 |
Security & Safety (2 programs, 136 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 134 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0104 |
| Cyber and Computer Forensics | 2 |
|
Post-Master's
|
43.0403 |
Kinesiology (3 programs, 106 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0505 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 31 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
31.0501 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0504 |
Eng. Technologies (5 programs, 78 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Safety and Health Technology | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15.0701 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
|
15.0805 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
|
15.0303 |
| Industrial Technology | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
15.0612 |
| Energy Systems Technology | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
15.1701 |
Biological Sciences (1 programs, 75 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 75 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Central Washington University (CWU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Central Washington University (CWU)
How much does it cost to attend Central Washington University (CWU)?
The annual tuition at Central Washington University (CWU) is $9,192 for in-state students and $26,771 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $30,438 for in-state students and $48,017 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $16,314 (on) / $9,741 (off) and books and supplies $900.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Central Washington University offer?
Central Washington University (CWU) offers 98 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's.
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (10 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (18 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (4 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (2 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (6 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Central Washington University?
Central Washington University (CWU) has an 90.2% acceptance rate and a 25.5% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 6,829
- Students admitted: 6,161
- Students enrolled: 1,568
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Central Washington University?
Central Washington University (CWU) provides financial aid to 15% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $8,970 and average loans of $5,640.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,139
- State/Local grants: $5,945
- Institutional grants: $3,325
- Federal loans: $4,888
The university supports 1,268 students with grants and 712 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Central Washington University graduates?
Central Washington University (CWU) graduates earn a median salary of $49,398 after 6 years and $61,580 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $38,275 (25th percentile) to $84,664 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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