Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington
Central Washington University is a public four-year public university located 90 minutes east of Seattle at the base of the Cascade Mountains. CWU offers 135 degree programs and serves approximately 10,000 students per year at the main campus in Ellensburg, online, and at its eight University Centers and instructional sites around the state.
Among Central’s many points of pride is its commitment to serving first-generation college students and those from traditionally underrepresented communities. Approximately 42% of CWU students identify as people of color, and it has become known as a statewide leader for our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a result of these efforts, CWU earned the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award in seven of the past nine years.
In addition, small class sizes and ample one-on-one mentoring opportunities offer students a more personalized college experience, where they can apply their knowledge and skills to real-world settings. An institution-wide focus on experiential learning helps CWU students prepare for successful careers, creating an unmatched return on investment. When you look at the full package, it’s no wonder Central often shows up on the list of schools offering the best value for your dollar.
Central Washington was last a College of Distinction in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Get to know Central Washington University
College Highlights
“CWU provided a community environment that fostered both traditional learning and critical thinking. Not only are all instructors highly committed to every student’s success, all staff goes above and beyond to help in any way they can.” — Elise Laurie, 2018 graduate
CWU is committed to giving its students ample opportunities to use what they have learned in real-world situations so that when they enter the workforce, their wealth of hands-on experience will allow them to contribute immediately. Central prioritizes engaged learning opportunities for its students and tries to give them every opportunity to apply the lessons they learn in the classroom to their chosen professions.
One example is the Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE), which encourages academic collaboration and the quest for knowledge. Students work side-by-side with faculty researchers and advisors before presenting their work at the annual conference in the spring. Similarly, the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) exposes College of the Sciences students to valuable field research opportunities that they can carry with them into their chosen careers. On the arts and humanities side, CWU’s award-winning student media outlets cover current events with guidance from former industry professionals as they work to become the next generation of journalists.
As Central looks to take its commitment to engaged learning to a new level, the institution is embracing the use of high-impact practices (HIPs), which give students from all different backgrounds the same opportunities to excel academically and professionally. CWU faculty takes the time to get to know their students, and because the professors genuinely care about their success, those relationships tend to translate into better outcomes on campus and in the professional world.
CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 262 | 10-19: 415 | 20-29: 648
30-39: 298 | 40-49: 118 | 50-99: 42 | 100+: 9
ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 3%
Hispanic/Latinx: 18%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 4%
White, non-Hispanic: 51%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 5%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 1%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 9%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 8%
“The faculty care about you, your education, and your future career. Combining practicum experience with classroom learning, the family and consumer sciences graduate program at Central Washington University really prepares you for your life after graduation, whether in a family studies career or going on to earn your PhD.” — Brittney Mailhot, 2013 graduate
CWU’s world-renowned faculty features some of the most recognizable experts in their respective fields, from geology, chemistry and physics to aviation, music, and education. CWU professors are often at the forefront of their respective disciplines, and many of them are among the best resources in the world for their area of expertise. A number of CWU professors have been awarded fellowships with national and regional academic associations, and they are proud to impart their wealth of knowledge to their students, both inside the classroom and in the field.
Central alumni often talk about how their professors took the time to get to know them; that they were treated like a person and not a number. At CWU, there isn’t much difference between being an instructor and mentor because the faculty — each and every one of them — cares deeply about developing the whole person. They genuinely want their students to succeed at Central and in their careers, and they go the extra mile to ensure their graduates enter the professional world well-prepared, well-rounded, and ready to contribute immediately.
Specific programs like the First Year Experience are designed to help students seamlessly transition to university learning, with courses in academic writing, quantitative reasoning, and more. These courses help students bring multiple approaches, along with intellectual creativity and curiosity, to complex and real-world problems. You wi’ll also develop enhanced skills in written and verbal communication, as well as in critical thinking and reasoning. Along the way, you will take new responsibility for learning and view yourself as an engaged citizen.
SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Cooperative education program
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Exchange student program (domestic)
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program
“Finding a school with a quality science program and an athletic program that values academics was important to me. I was impressed with Central’s small class sizes and the quality of the pre-med program. Plus, once I saw the Wildcat Academic Success Center, a study lounge for athletes, I knew the athletic program was committed to ensuring academics was at the forefront of my experience.” — Marqus Gilson, 2021 graduate
CWU believes that learning should not be limited to the classroom. They know that people absorb information in many ways, and they recognize that their varied life experiences are just as important to students’ overall education as what they learn from books and lectures. To truly grow as a person, you have to get out and see the world around you, and CWU provides a plethora of opportunities to do just that.
With that in mind, CWU encourages its students to explore these learning opportunities through its more than 150 student-led clubs and organizations, an extensive intramural sports program, getting involved in community and civic groups, and more. Central also encourages its students to explore on-campus museums and galleries, which showcase everything from student and faculty artwork to natural history exhibits.
But the work of creating a more vibrant community isn’t limited to activities on campus and around town. CWU also wants to celebrate the diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds that make up its unique student population. They know that their students’ unique viewpoints and experiences contribute to the overall educational experience of not just these individuals, but of everyone around them. That means being open to new ideas and welcoming participation from as many people as possible. That is how CWU builds a strong, vibrant community.
SCHOOL LOCATION
CWU’s main campus is located at the base of the Cascade Mountains, approximately 90 miles east of Seattle. The historical city of Ellensburg is home to approximately 21,000 residents and is best known for agriculture, easy access to the great outdoors, and the Ellensburg Rodeo. The annual Labor Day weekend event draws thousands of spectators from around the world.
ATHLETICS
The Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division II as a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). CWU has six men’s programs (football, basketball, baseball, cross country, track and field, rugby) and seven women’s programs (volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball, cross country, track and field, and rugby). The football, volleyball and rugby teams consistently rank among the best in the nation year after year.
The CWU women’s basketball program has also been on the rise in recent years with the help of stars like Samantha Bowman, the program’s all-time rebound leader and one of the GNAC’s best rebounders of all time. The basketball and volleyball programs will be getting a significant boost in 2023 when the renovation of the iconic Nicholson Pavilion is completed. The $60 million academic and athletics project also features two new weight rooms — one dedicated solely to athletic programs — plus an expansion of the concourse and seating areas.
RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 64%
Undergraduates: 85%
Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Apartments for married students
Apartments for single students
Special housing for students with disabilities
Special housing for international students
Theme housing
Wellness housing
“My mindset has always been to help change people’s lives in a positive way,” Means said. “I genuinely love what I do, and it all started at Central.” — Jasmin Means, 2020 graduate
When CWU graduates leave campus, they have years of hands-on experience within their majors and have developed a breadth of professional skills that will help them compete and succeed in today’s job market. Central’s state-of-the-art facilities — including a new $60 million Health Sciences building that opened in 2022, a recently built information technology building — along with its innovative instruction methods combine to offer students a wealth of opportunities to learn how to solve real-world problems.
CWU also has developed a strong, supportive alumni network that are committed to helping today’s graduates gain a foothold in the professional world through networking opportunities, internships, conferences, and social events. The College of Business, for example, has cultivated an ongoing relationship with The Boeing Co. because Central students consistently demonstrate an aptitude that enables them to contribute from day one. CWU Health Sciences programs, such as nutrition, public health, and paramedicine enjoy near-100% job placement rates because graduates learn what they will be doing in their professions and can apply those skills immediately. In the words of Public Health lecturer Amie Wojtyna, “if you’ve done it here, you’ve done it, period.”
CWU believes that a top-quality education should be within reach for everyone, and it is committed to putting the time and resources that are needed to make this happen for people from all different backgrounds. CWU recruiters travel to high schools and middle schools around the state to share the many great opportunities that await prospective students here.
High-school students who aren’t sure if they qualify may be surprised to learn they can be admitted automatically through the statewide Guaranteed Admissions Pilot (GAP), which requires a 3.0 GPA and completion of the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs). CWU’s goal is not to turn you away; they are always looking for ways to say “yes” to your application.
Another way in which CWU stands out is that you don’t have to attend classes in Ellensburg to earn a degree. They bring higher education opportunities directly to you through their eight University Centers and instructional sites — from Lynnwood and Des Moines in the Puget Sound area to Moses Lake and Yakima, east of the Cascades — plus a growing number of online courses through its Multimodal Learning department. CWU is also invested in its communities through our federally funded TRIO programs, such as McNair Scholars and the Educational Opportunity Centers (EOC) in Yakima and Wenatchee.
Even if you aren’t sure you can afford to go to college, you might be surprised at the number of programs and financial resources that are available to help you realize your dreams. CWU’s Financial Aid office has access to dozens of funding programs, along with more than 320 scholarships available through Scholarship Central. CWU is always looking to raise the bar for accessibility and equity in higher education, and they want you to know they are here to help.
Admission
ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Academic GPA
Important
Application Essay | Recommendation(s)
Considered
Class rank | Standardized test scores | Interview | Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability | Character/personal qualities | First generation
Volunteer work | Work experience | Level of applicant’s interest
TEST SCORES
Optional
SAT Composite
25th Percentile: 920 | 75th Percentile: 1110
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 460 | 75th Percentile: 560
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 450 | 75th Percentile: 550
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 17 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 16 | 75th Percentile: 23
ACT English
25th Percentile: 15 | 75th Percentile: 22
Tuition & Cost
Tuition (in-state): $6,475
Tuition (out-of-state): $22,551
Fees: $1,258
Room & Board: $13,787
Contact Central Washington University
Contact Admissions
cwu.edu/admissions
admissions@cwu.edu
(509) 963-1211
Campus Location
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 963-1111