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Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Visit Website

Central Washington University's main campus is located in Ellensburg, Washington, a city in the Kittitas Valley. The campus provides a traditional college town atmosphere, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cascade Mountains. Known for its strong programs in education, business, and the sciences, CWU fosters a diverse student body, including a significant and growing Hispanic population. The university also operates University Centers extending its reach to the Puget Sound region.

Programs Analyzed

Avg Grad Earnings

$41,354/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

52/100

Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$9,192/yr

Out-of-state: $26,771/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 31% of students receive Pell Grants and 36% take federal loans.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/yr	4-Year Net Cost	Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K	$7,978	$31,912	13.0x
$30K – $48K	$11,430	$45,720	9.0x
$48K – $75K	$15,182	$60,728	6.8x
$75K – $110K	$18,886	$75,544	5.5x
$110K+	$22,366	$89,464	4.6x
Sticker price (no aid)	$9,192	$36,768	11.2x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at Central Washington University

38 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Construction Management Compare across schools	85	$81,666/yr	High	27.2x
Computer Science Compare across schools	82	$52,362/yr	Very High	28.0x
Computer and Information Sciences, General Compare across schools	80	$56,049/yr	Very High	19.1x
Accounting and Related Services Compare across schools	79	$55,215/yr	Very High	19.0x
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Compare across schools	78	$81,377/yr	Very High	21.1x
Quality Control Compare across schools	74	$77,500/yr	High	24.2x
Economics Compare across schools	74	$52,129/yr	Very High	18.8x
Teacher Education Compare across schools	74	$49,177/yr	High	16.1x
Business Administration Compare across schools	73	$49,791/yr	High	16.9x
Teacher Education Compare across schools	72	$47,359/yr	High	15.9x
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies Compare across schools	70	$65,871/yr	Moderate	21.7x
Criminal Justice and Corrections Compare across schools	65	$44,172/yr	Moderate	15.8x
Social Sciences, General Compare across schools	64	$42,332/yr	High	15.5x
Public Health Compare across schools	58	$42,137/yr	High	14.1x
Air Transportation Compare across schools	58	$40,025/yr	Moderate	22.6x
Political Science and Government Compare across schools	58	$39,220/yr	Very High	15.7x
Apparel and Textiles Compare across schools	56	$51,494/yr	High	12.0x
Public Relations & Advertising Compare across schools	56	$40,976/yr	High	14.1x
Sociology Compare across schools	50	$36,466/yr	High	14.5x
Psychology, General Compare across schools	47	$36,964/yr	High	12.7x
Biology, General Compare across schools	45	$36,401/yr	High	12.9x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools	44	$35,820/yr	High	13.5x
History Compare across schools	44	$35,747/yr	High	8.7x
Parks Compare across schools	44	$28,140/yr	Moderate	11.0x
Health and Physical Education/Fitness Compare across schools	42	$35,268/yr	Moderate	10.8x
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences Compare across schools	41	$30,340/yr	High	15.5x
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Compare across schools	39	$32,808/yr	High	7.9x
Human Services, General Compare across schools	38	$36,644/yr	Moderate	10.8x
Nutrition Sciences Compare across schools	37	$30,113/yr	High	13.8x
Geography and Cartography Compare across schools	37	$23,553/yr	High	13.1x
Human Development & Family Studies Compare across schools	36	$27,006/yr	High	6.3x
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools	31	$29,725/yr	High	11.2x
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools	30	$26,123/yr	Moderate	9.0x
Music Compare across schools	28	$25,532/yr	High	8.7x
Anthropology Compare across schools	27	$20,318/yr	High	9.0x
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Compare across schools	26	$27,832/yr	Very High	6.6x
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools	24	$24,674/yr	Moderate	8.0x
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare across schools	24	$23,126/yr	High	10.3x

Compare any program at Central Washington University with another school. Use the comparison tool →

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →