What Central Washington costs
Central Washington University charges $9,417 a year in published tuition and fees for Washington residents, about $4,708 a semester, and $27,526 a year for students from other states, about $13,763 a semester. With housing, food, books and other costs, the total cost of attendance for in-state students is $28,816 a year. Students who received grants or scholarships paid $16,768 a year on average after that aid (the average net price). You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Central Washington University takes part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, so students from other western states may pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition. See the full WUE list →
Compare out-of-state tuition at 100 public universities →
Getting into Central Washington
For fall 2024, Central Washington University received 8,919 applications and admitted 8,082 students, and 1,619 enrolled as first-years.
What Central Washington students study
The most common bachelor's degrees at Central Washington University (class of 2024, first majors only):
| Major | Degrees |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 269 |
| Psychology | 246 |
| Elementary Education and Teaching | 161 |
| Information Technology | 129 |
| Criminal Justice / Safety Studies | 126 |
| Computer Science | 76 |
| Accounting | 68 |
| Biology / Biological Sciences | 67 |
Source: IPEDS Completions, bachelor's degrees awarded in 2023–24.
Colleges like Central Washington
Smaller public universities with the same campus setting (small town or rural), closest in size and nearest in region:
- Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington: 6,222 undergraduates
- Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, Oregon: 2,892 undergraduates
- University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho: 7,747 undergraduates
- University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming: 7,944 undergraduates
- Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan: 8,106 undergraduates
See more colleges like Central Washington in the College Filter →
Lists that include Central Washington
- Colleges in Washington: 13 Compared
- Smaller Public Universities: 242 Compared
- Smaller Public Universities on the West Coast: 15 Compared
- Division II Colleges: 151 Compared
- Division II Colleges on the West Coast: 21 Compared
- Small-Town and Rural Colleges: 176 Compared
FAQ
What is Central Washington University's acceptance rate? 90.6% for fall 2024: 8,082 of 8,919 applicants were admitted.
How much is tuition at Central Washington University? $9,417 a year for in-state students and $27,526 for out-of-state students, in published tuition and fees before aid. You may pay less if receiving grants or scholarships.
Is Central Washington University part of WUE? Yes. It is on WICHE's September 2026 list of Western Undergraduate Exchange colleges. Requirements vary by college, so check with Central Washington University about how to apply and which programs qualify.
How many students go to Central Washington University? About 7,800 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is the campus setting at Central Washington University? The National Center for Education Statistics classifies its location as a small town or rural area.
Sources
- College Navigator: Central Washington University (IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education)
- College Scorecard: Central Washington University
- Campus photo via Wikimedia Commons
