Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Central Washington University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 32% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 55th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (WA wage index 1.18). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Central Washington University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $77,500 | $97,869 | +13% | #1 of 19 | #9 | $25,333 |
| Construction Management | $81,666 | $97,651 | +3% | #19 of 57 | #43 | $24,120 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | — | $97,263 | +37% | #26 of 253 | #41 | — |
| Computer Science | $52,362 | $95,368 | -11% | #203 of 349 | #266 | $19,435 |
| Economics | $52,129 | $88,799 | +7% | #109 of 368 | #143 | $14,744 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $65,871 | $84,871 | +3% | #23 of 61 | #43 | $22,190 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $81,377 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | — | $75,905 | +17% | #37 of 209 | #66 | $19,687 |
| Air Transportation | $40,025 | $74,997 | -13% | #42 of 52 | #45 | $20,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,215 | $74,442 | -2% | #369 of 796 | #564 | $16,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,791 | $73,036 | +7% | #287 of 1176 | #527 | $18,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $56,049 | $72,838 | -21% | #366 of 459 | #406 | $20,137 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $40,976 | $66,538 | +5% | #65 of 178 | #110 | $20,250 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $51,494 | $65,815 | +14% | #10 of 57 | #26 | $17,249 |
| Political Science and Government | $39,220 | $64,361 | +2% | #215 of 565 | #327 | $14,385 |
| Sociology | $36,466 | $63,608 | +21% | #47 of 462 | #88 | $21,950 |
| Public Health | $42,137 | $62,435 | +6% | #68 of 215 | #111 | $20,326 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $49,177 | $61,604 | +20% | #35 of 345 | #80 | $22,068 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,172 | $60,761 | +10% | #120 of 660 | #328 | $19,500 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $30,340 | $60,299 | -3% | #32 of 64 | #49 | $20,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,359 | $59,659 | +26% | #38 of 680 | #111 | $20,205 |
| Social Sciences | $42,332 | $58,680 | +10% | #22 of 87 | #34 | $18,584 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,820 | $56,862 | +1% | #248 of 660 | #398 | $21,065 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $30,113 | $56,735 | -6% | #38 of 53 | #47 | $20,306 |
| Biology | $36,401 | $56,154 | -2% | #484 of 841 | #664 | $21,166 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,006 | $54,858 | +13% | #28 of 172 | #65 | $20,500 |
| Psychology | $36,964 | $54,530 | +8% | #268 of 1027 | #540 | $18,834 |
| Human Services | $36,644 | $54,318 | +12% | #17 of 94 | #38 | $17,523 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | — | $53,987 | -10% | #108 of 138 | #127 | — |
| Geography and Cartography | $23,553 | $53,081 | -8% | #98 of 117 | #106 | — |
| Music | $25,532 | $51,008 | +19% | #52 of 268 | #102 | $26,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $29,725 | $50,776 | -8% | #182 of 265 | #234 | $21,137 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $32,808 | $50,318 | +-0% | #72 of 158 | #119 | $21,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,268 | $47,979 | -12% | #471 of 610 | #573 | $13,000 |
| History | $35,747 | $45,990 | -9% | #357 of 459 | #423 | $22,250 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,126 | $45,152 | +3% | #73 of 144 | #99 | $22,118 |
| Anthropology | $20,318 | $44,089 | -6% | #116 of 188 | #157 | $20,500 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | $28,140 | $43,480 | -14% | #46 of 55 | #54 | $22,883 |
| English Language and Literature | — | $43,101 | -11% | #447 of 576 | #521 | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $27,832 | $41,971 | -13% | #93 of 137 | #117 | $20,036 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,123 | $40,251 | -3% | #246 of 423 | #327 | $24,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,674 | $33,800 | -15% | #225 of 255 | #238 | $24,500 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Central Washington University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $466,335
- Avg rent near campus: $1,757/mo — vs ~$933/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 98926 (2.9% cap, Ellensburg)
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🏆 Where Central Washington University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,021 | $24,600 |
| Room | $8,393 | |
| Board | $8,359 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $30,438 | $48,017 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,978 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,430 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,182 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,886 |
| $110,001+ | $22,366 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Central Washington University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Central Washington University?
How much does it cost to attend Central Washington University?
What is the graduation rate at Central Washington University?
Is Central Washington University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Central Washington University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to Central Washington University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology