Central Washington University
#1 Best Education Colleges in Washington- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $61,580 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,476 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Education Colleges in Washington.
Every $1 spent returns $22.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,558,233.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 51% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Central Washington University Matters
Central Washington University is a public university in Ellensburg, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 7,833
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Central Washington University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 91% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,476 a year after grants and scholarships — 8% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $61,580 ten years after enrolling — 51% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 55% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.62 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Central Washington University has an enrollment of about 7,833 students, making it a great fit for those looking for a community feel while still accessing a range of academic programs. With a high acceptance rate of 91%, this school welcomes a diverse group of learners. Students here often pursue degrees in Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, and Social Sciences, which are all strong areas of focus that can lead to solid career paths.
After graduation, the financial outlook is promising. Graduates earn an average of $61,580 within ten years, which speaks to the value of the education received. Affordability is also a key consideration; the net price after aid is around $18,476, making it accessible for many. While the graduation rate stands at 52%, those who do complete their degrees are positioned well in the job market.
Looking at the practical aspects, students who thrive here often come from diverse backgrounds and are ready to engage with both their studies and the campus community. The median debt for graduates is $19,500, which is manageable for many. With 28% of students receiving Pell Grants, there's a support system in place for those who need it, making Central Washington University a solid choice for individuals looking to balance education with financial realities.
Rankings
- #1 Best Education Colleges in Washington
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Washington
- #4 Best Business Colleges in Washington
- #6 Best MBA Programs in Washington
- #8 Best Colleges in Washington
- #8 Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington
- #8 Best Computer Science Colleges in Washington
- #8 Best Psychology Colleges in Washington
Can I Get In?
How selective Central Washington University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Washington University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Ellensburg, Washington, Central Washington University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,124
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.63
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 6,409
- Admitted
- 5,992
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Washington University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Washington University is $27,526, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,476. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,846 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,417
- Out-of-State
- $27,526
- Avg Net Price
- $18,476
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 31%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $11,846
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,942
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,022
- Family Income $110K+
- $26,719
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Central Washington University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Washington University earn a median of $61,580, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,398
- 8 Years
- $55,463
- 10 Years
- $61,580
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.32x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (409)
- 34%
- 100% (409)
- 34%
- 100% (409)
- 34%
- 100% (409)
- 34%
How Central Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Central Washington University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Central Washington University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,476/year ($73,904 total). Graduates earn $61,580 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,632,137 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,558,233 (22.1× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $73,904
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,632,137
- Net Return
- $1,558,233
- ROI Multiple
- 22.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,476
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Central Washington University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central Washington University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.38%, well above the typical college. About 5.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $97,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.38%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $97,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $2,722,975
Top Programs
The fields Central Washington University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Education 14%
- Psychology 11%
- Computer Science & IT 9%
- Social Sciences 7%
- Criminal Justice 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Central Washington University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Washington University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Ellensburg, Washington, Central Washington University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Washington University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Washington University is $27,526, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,476. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $11,846 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is Central Washington University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Washington University earn a median of $61,580, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Central Washington University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central Washington University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.38%, well above the typical college. About 5.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $97,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Central Washington University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Central Washington University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Central Washington University.
- Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA · Close peer54% grad $57,466 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · Close peer65% grad $62,616 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA · Close peer34% grad $63,435 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CT · Close peer49% grad $58,562 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · Close peer68% grad $61,515 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX · Close peer51% grad $59,004 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Central Washington University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Central Washington University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note