Central Washington University

www.cwu.edu

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2023 Undergraduate Tuition

$7,021

3.01% growth from 2022

2023 Average Net Price

$15,558

After Financial Aid

2020 Default Rate

on Student Loans

2023 Acceptance Rate

90.2%

6,829 Applicants

2023 Enrolled Students

8,796

84% Full-Time

2023 Graduation Rate

49.9%

838 Graduates

About

Central Washington University is a higher education institution located in Kittitas County, WA. In 2023, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Central Washington University were General Psychology (274 degrees awarded), Elementary Education & Teaching (183 degrees), and General Business Administration & Management (162 degrees).

In 2023, 2,538 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Central Washington University. 57.3% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 42.7% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,274 degrees), 3.34 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (382 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Central Washington University is $7,021, which is $−17,554 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Central Washington University was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 3,028 total borrowers.

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Central Washington University is $7,021, which is $17,554 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $15,558.

In 2023, 65% of undergraduate students attending Central Washington University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 36% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$7,021

2023 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2023, the cost of tuition at Central Washington University was $7,021. The cost of tuition at Central Washington University is $−17,554 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Central Washington University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$15,558

2023 Value

1.93%

1 Year Growth

In 2023 Central Washington University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,558. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of Central Washington University grew by 1.93%.

This chart compares the average net price of Central Washington University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$11,693

Room and Board

$900

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Central Washington University was of $11,693 in 2023. The cost of room and board decreased by 1.24% between 2022 and 2023.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $900. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Central Washington University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

65%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

36%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

65% of undergraduate students at Central Washington University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023. This represents a decline of 5.8% with respect to 2022, when 69% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Central Washington University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

2020 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2020 the default rate for borrower's at Central Washington University was 0%, which represents 0 out of the 3028 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Central Washington University received 6,829 undergraduate applications in 2023, which represents a 6.55% annual growth. Out of those 6,829 applicants, 6,161 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 90.2% acceptance rate.

There were 8,796 students enrolled at Central Washington University in 2023. 69% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Central Washington University has an overall enrollment yield of 25.5%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

90.2%

Acceptance Rate in 2023

6,161

Accepted Out of 6,829

In 2023, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Central Washington University was 90.2% (6,161 admissions from 6,829 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2022, which was 93.5%. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of applicants grew by 6.55%, while admissions grew by 2.82%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Central Washington University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

69%

Submission Percentage (2020)

1,185

Scores Submitted (2020)

69% of enrolled first-time students at Central Washington University in 2020 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Central Washington University had a total enrollment of 8,796 students in 2023. The full-time enrollment at Central Washington University is 7,385 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,411. This means that 84% of students enrolled at Central Washington University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Central Washington University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 53.9% White, 20.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.67% Two or More Races, 4.83% Black or African American, 3.87% Asian, 0.807% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.568% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Central Washington University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (28.9%), followed by White Male (25.9%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (12%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (16.8%), followed by White Male (10.3%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (5.45%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

84%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Central Washington University in 2023, both undergraduate and graduate, is 8,796 students. The full-time enrollment at Central Washington University is 7,385 and the part-time enrollment is 1,411. This means that 84% of students enrolled at Central Washington University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.2% at similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Central Washington University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

69%

2023 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Central Washington University was 69%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Masters Colleges and Universities (74%), Central Washington University had a retention rate lower than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Central Washington University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
4,742 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,820 enrolled students
Two or More Races
675 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Central Washington University is 53.9% White, 20.7% Hispanic or Latino, 7.67% Two or More Races, 4.83% Black or African American, 3.87% Asian, 0.807% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.568% American Indian or Alaska Native. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Masters Colleges and Universities is 50.1% White, 17.7% Hispanic or Latino, and 13.4% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 427 students (4.85%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2023, 372 more women than men received degrees from Central Washington University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Central Washington University is white (1,274 degrees awarded). There were 3.34 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (382 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Central Washington University is General Psychology (274 degrees awarded), followed by Elementary Education & Teaching (183 degrees) and General Business Administration & Management (162 degrees).

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Central Washington University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Transportation (67 degrees awarded), English (90 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (126 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Central Washington University are Other managers (239,611 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (236,701 people), Postsecondary teachers (207,002 people), Secondary school teachers (145,149 people), and Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (143,875 people).

The most specialized majors at Central Washington University in 2023 are Transportation (67 degrees awarded), English (90 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (126 degrees), Physical Sciences (72 degrees), and Psychology (299 degrees) (as of 2023).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Central Washington University are Surgeons, Physicians, Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Nurse anesthetists

The most specialized majors at Central Washington University are Transportation (67 degrees awarded), English (90 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (126 degrees), Physical Sciences (72 degrees), and Psychology (299 degrees) (as of 2023).

Common Industries by Major

Elementary & secondary schools

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Central Washington University are Elementary & secondary schools (3,105,285 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (546,129 people), Legal services (328,620 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (281,379 people), and Computer Systems Design (256,587 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Central Washington University.

Most Common (2023)

General Psychology
274 degrees awarded
Elementary Education & Teaching
183 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
162 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Central Washington University was General Psychology with 274 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Central Washington University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

1,083

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2023

1,455

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2023

In 2023, 1,083 degrees were awarded to men at Central Washington University, which is 0.744 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (1,455).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Central Washington University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2023, 80 degrees were awarded to men at Central Washington University in General Business Administration & Management, which is 0.976 times less than the 82 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2023, 217 degrees were awarded to men at Central Washington University in General Psychology, which is 3.81 times more than the 57 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

32%

100% Completion Time

54%

150% Completion Time

In 2023, 32% of students graduating from Central Washington University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 54% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 54% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Masters Colleges and Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (57.9%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Central Washington University is Female and White (57.9% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Non-resident Alien Male students have the highest graduation rate (65.7%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 14.1% of graduates (118 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2023)

White
1,274 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
382 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
231 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Central Washington University is white (1,274 degrees awarded). There were 3.34 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (382 degrees).

11.2% of degree recipients (285 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2023)

White Female
729 degrees awarded
White Male
545 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
253 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Central Washington University is white female (729 degrees awarded). There were 1.34 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (545 degrees).

Operations

Central Washington University has an endowment valued at nearly $50.8M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 6.1M (12%) compared to the 5.72% average return (2.84M on 49.7M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2023, Central Washington University had a total salary expenditure of 273M. Central Washington University employs 162 Professors, 117 Lecturers and 83 Associate professors. Most academics at Central Washington University are Male Professor (94), Female Professor (68), and Female Lecturer (59).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Central Washington University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 172 employees, Service, with 155 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 140 employees.

Endowment

$50.8M

2023 Endowment

6.93%

growth from 2022

Central Washington University has an endowment valued at about $50.8M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. The endowment of Central Washington University grew 6.93% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.12M higher than than the median endowment of Masters Colleges and Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Central Washington University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$114M

2023 Salaries

6.44%

decline from 2022

In 2023, Central Washington University paid a median of $114M in salaries, which represents 41.7% of their overall expenditure ($273M) and a 6.44% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 9.04% growth between 2021 and 2022, and a 12% decline between 2020 and 2021.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 36.1M (39.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$36.4M

Instructional Salaries

415

Number of Employees

In 2023, Central Washington University paid a total of $36.4M to 415 employees working as instructors, which represents 32% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $1.12M (2.97%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

162 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

172 Employees

In 2023, the most common positions for instructional staff at Central Washington University were Professor with 162 employees, Lecturer with 117 employees, and Associate professor with 83 employees.

In 2023, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Central Washington University were Business and Financial Operations with 172 employees, Service with 155 employees, and Office and Administrative Support with 140 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2023)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Female Lecturer

In 2023, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Central Washington University was Male Professor with 94 employees, Female Professor with 68 employees, and Female Lecturer with 59 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Central Washington University.

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