Central Washington University

www.cwu.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$6,656

2.8% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$17,645

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

1.89%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

88.4%

10,767 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

10,176

84.6% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

53.6%

790 Graduates

About

Central Washington University is a higher education institution located in Kittitas County, WA. In 2021, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Central Washington University were Elementary Education & Teaching (385 degrees awarded), General Psychology (201 degrees), and Criminal Justice - Safety Studies (177 degrees).

In 2021, 3,496 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Central Washington University. 58.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 41.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (1,761 degrees), 3.12 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (565 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Central Washington University is $6,656, which is $−16,528 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs Masters Colleges and Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Central Washington University is $6,656, which is $−16,528 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $17,645.

In 2021, 68% of undergraduate students attending Central Washington University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 38% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$6,656

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Central Washington University was $6,656. The cost of tuition at Central Washington University is $−16,528 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($23,184).

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

Average Net Price

$17,645

2021 Value

7.32%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Central Washington University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,645. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Central Washington University grew by 7.32%.

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

$11,532

Room and Board

$900

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Central Washington University was of $11,532 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 11.2% between 2020 and 2021.

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

68%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

38%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

68% of undergraduate students at Central Washington University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a growth of 3.03% with respect to 2020, when 66% 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.

1.89%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Central Washington University was 1.89%, which represents 58 out of the 3061 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 10,767 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 18.8% annual growth. Out of those 10,767 applicants, 9,523 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 88.4% acceptance rate.

There were 10,176 students enrolled at Central Washington University in 2021. 69% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Central Washington University has an overall enrollment yield of 14.4%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

88.4%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

9,523

Accepted Out of 10,767

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Central Washington University was 88.4% (9,523 admissions from 10,767 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 86%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 18.8%, while admissions declined by −16.5%..

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.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Central Washington University had a total enrollment of 10,176 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Central Washington University is 8,611 students and the part-time enrollment is 1,565. This means that 84.6% of students enrolled at Central Washington University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Central Washington University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 51.6% White, 17.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9% Two or More Races, 4.72% Asian, 4.58% Black or African American, 1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.668% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Students enrolled at Central Washington University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (27.9%), followed by White Male (25.1%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (11.2%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (20.2%), followed by White Male (9.24%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (4.62%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

84.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Central Washington University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 10,176 students. The full-time enrollment at Central Washington University is 8,611 and the part-time enrollment is 1,565. This means that 84.6% of students enrolled at Central Washington University are enrolled full-time compared with 68.3% 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%

2021 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 (73%), 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 (2021)

White
5,250 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,808 enrolled students
Two or More Races
916 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Central Washington University is 51.6% White, 17.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9% Two or More Races, 4.72% Asian, 4.58% Black or African American, 1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.668% 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 52% White, 16.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 12.8% 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, 810 students (7.96%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 604 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 (1,761 degrees awarded). There were 3.12 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (565 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Central Washington University is Elementary Education & Teaching (385 degrees awarded), followed by General Psychology (201 degrees) and Criminal Justice - Safety Studies (177 degrees).

In 2021, 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 EDUCATION. (692 degrees awarded), Transportation (51 degrees), and Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (129 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Elementary & middle school teachers

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 Elementary & middle school teachers (1,709,831 people), Secondary school teachers (466,964 people), Education administrators (283,972 people), Other managers (184,895 people), and Special education teachers (176,949 people).

The most specialized majors at Central Washington University in 2021 are EDUCATION. (692 degrees awarded), Transportation (51 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (129 degrees), Protective Services (191 degrees), and English (72 degrees) (as of 2021).

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, Nurse anesthetists, Personal financial advisors, and Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers

The most specialized majors at Central Washington University are EDUCATION. (692 degrees awarded), Transportation (51 degrees), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (129 degrees), Protective Services (191 degrees), and English (72 degrees) (as of 2021).

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 (2,906,800 people), Justice, public order, & safety activities (374,550 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (367,869 people), General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (203,787 people), and Legal services (119,511 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 (2021)

Elementary Education & Teaching
385 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
201 degree-majors awarded
Criminal Justice - Safety Studies
177 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Central Washington University was Elementary Education & Teaching with 385 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

1,446

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

2,050

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 1,446 degrees were awarded to men at Central Washington University, which is 0.705 times less than the number of degrees awarded to females (2,050).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 91 degrees were awarded to men at Central Washington University in Criminal Justice - Safety Studies, which is 0.91 times less than the 100 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 330 degrees were awarded to men at Central Washington University in Elementary Education & Teaching, which is 6 times more than the 55 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

35%

100% Completion Time

57%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 35% of students graduating from Central Washington University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 57% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 60% 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.

Asian Female

Highest Graduation Rate (69.6%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Central Washington University is Female and Asian (69.6% graduation rate). Across all Masters Colleges and Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

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, 7.97% of graduates (63 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
1,761 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
565 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
246 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Central Washington University is white (1,761 degrees awarded). There were 3.12 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (565 degrees).

13.4% of degree recipients (470 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Female
1,005 degrees awarded
White Male
756 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino Female
377 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Central Washington University is white female (1,005 degrees awarded). There were 1.33 times more white female recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white male (756 degrees).

Operations

Central Washington University has an endowment valued at nearly $50.5M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 5.74M (11.4%) compared to the 13.1% average return (6.61M on 50.4M) across all Masters Colleges and Universities.

In 2021, Central Washington University had a total salary expenditure of 268M. Central Washington University employs 153 Professors, 111 Associate professors and 109 Lecturers. Most academics at Central Washington University are Male Professor (95), Female Lecturer (65), and Female Professor (58).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Central Washington University are: Office and Administrative Support, with 190 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 134 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 132 employees.

Endowment

$50.5M

2021 Endowment

23.9%

growth from 2020

Central Washington University has an endowment valued at about $50.5M, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Central Washington University grew 23.9% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $68.6k 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

$111M

2021 Salaries

12%

decline from 2020

In 2021, Central Washington University paid a median of $111M in salaries, which represents 41.6% of their overall expenditure ($268M) and a 12% decline from the previous year.

The median for similar Masters Colleges and Universities is 35.1M (41.3% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$36.3M

Instructional Salaries

447

Number of Employees

In 2021, Central Washington University paid a total of $36.3M to 447 employees working as instructors, which represents 32.6% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $11M (31.3%) for similar Masters Colleges and Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

153 Employees

Office and Administrative Support

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

190 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Central Washington University were Professor with 153 employees, Associate professor with 111 employees, and Lecturer with 109 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Central Washington University were Office and Administrative Support with 190 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 134 employees, and Business and Financial Operations with 132 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Lecturer
Female Professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Central Washington University was Male Professor with 95 employees, Female Lecturer with 65 employees, and Female Professor with 58 employees.

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