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Central Washington University: tuition, cost and admissions

Ellensburg, WA · Public university · Town (distant)

8,650Undergraduates

94%Acceptance rate

$16,768Avg net cost / yr

See Central Washington University on the map → Official website

What Central Washington University actually costs

Item	Amount
Tuition & fees (in-state)	$8,845	Published rate before aid
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)	$25,910	Published rate before aid
Room & board (on campus)	$13,645	Annual
Books & supplies	$900	Estimated annual
Total sticker cost	$25,435	Everything, before aid
Average actual cost paid	$16,768	Average paid after grants and scholarships — an average, not a quote

Across all students, the average paid here was $8,667 less than the sticker price — about 34% off, once grants and scholarships are counted. Individual awards vary enormously, and many students receive nothing at all.

Do your own due diligence on cost. Every figure above is a historical federal average for all students at this college. No student pays the average. What you are charged depends on your family’s income and assets, your academic record, the year you apply, and what aid this college has available — and it changes year to year. Use these numbers to decide which colleges are worth investigating, never to decide what one will cost you. Run the college’s own net price calculator — every US college is required by law to publish one — then confirm in writing with its financial aid office before committing to anything. We are not financial, admissions or tax advisers and have no relationship with this college.

Most popular fields of study

Business, Management & Marketing — 22%

Education — 15%

Social Sciences — 9%

Computer & Information Sciences — 7%

Psychology — 7%

Visual & Performing Arts — 6%

Homeland Security & Law Enforcement — 5%

Parks, Recreation & Fitness — 4%

Share of degrees awarded, US Dept. of Education.

Varsity athletics at Central Washington University

Athletic association	D-I
Men’s varsity sports (4)	Football (116), Track & Field (36), Baseball (33), Basketball (16)
Women’s varsity sports (5)	Track & Field (81), Soccer (32), Softball (26), Volleyball (19), Basketball (14)
Softball conference	Great Northwest
Head softball coach	Joe DiPietro

Squad sizes in brackets, from the federal Equity in Athletics survey (2024–25). Filter by sport and division on the interactive map.

Plan a visit and compare

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Other colleges in Washington

University of Washington-Seattle Campus · Washington State University · Western Washington University · Bellevue College · Eastern Washington University · Pierce College District · Green River College · Clark College