Founded in 1891, Central Washington University. is a Public college. Located in Washington, which is a city setting in Washington, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 11,119 full time undergraduate students, and 852 full time graduate students.
The Central Washington University Academic calendar runs on a Quarter basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 18:1. There are 467 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Central Washington University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
79%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
50
SAT Range
960-1150
ACT Range
18-24
Admissions at CWU are considered Less Selective, with ,73% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 26 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Central Washington University.
8%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
51%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
12%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
47%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
26%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
4%
“I only go out in groups”
35%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
44%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
15%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
22%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
69%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
26%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
5%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
4%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
54%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
27%
“We only party on weekends”
15%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
8%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
67%
“There might be people who do”
23%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
1%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
8%
“We”re apathetic”
36%
“We know about current events and vote”
51%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
12%
“We save it for the classroom”
15%
“Sometimes, but not often”
47%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
26%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
4%
“I only go out in groups”
35%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
6%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
44%
“We bought the gear”
50%
“We live for the big game”
11%
“It”s not really our thing”
15%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
22%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
64%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
69%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
26%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
5%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
208 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
163 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
228 Students rated campus food 3.5 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
236 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
236 Students rated class size 4.4 stars. 56 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
235 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
236 Students rated local services 4 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
236 Students rated academics 4 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
Central Washington University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Central Washington University?
96 Students rated Central Washington University
Christian - 03/14/2025
I think Central Washington University is an acceptable college the people are nice, and there is most definite intelligent conversion to have out side of the class room. All you have to do is look for it, just like any campus. The food is decent and there is a food bank. And overall are Varity of opportunities present.
SonSierra - 10/02/2024
Central wasn't even near the top of my list when I first applied to colleges and universities. I even attended a different school for my first year. When I started looking into other schools again, Central stood out as one of my best in-state options.
Mikayla - 06/04/2024
I think Central Washington University is a great school overall. The tour guides were very helpful and answered any questions that came up. The campus felt like a safe place and I immediately knew this was the school for me. I will be attending this Fall and I am so excited to start my next journey as a Wildcat.
Clarel - 03/31/2024
My opinion of Central is pretty good, the only thing that I wished for is that the town in Ellensburg had more grocery stores to go to but I get it because it's such a small town. The main entrance of the surc at Central is nice and wide and there's the statue of the college's mascot, a wildcat. I have been going to Central for around 3 years and still really like walking around and going into different buildings there, I find new things to look at.
Hunter - 03/16/2024
CWU is very open minded and has a lively campus. I loved being a Running Start student there and felt welcomed by other students and staff. Clubs and activities were amazing and fun to do on days off. I made many friends and had a better experience there than at my own high school.
haylee - 11/01/2023
its awesome my bro go there and its really cute inside and i love it
Reagan - 10/24/2023
Being a freshman student at Central Washington University, I have to say that I am very impressed with the amount of effort put into trying to help students find a place they feel safe and somewhere they feel that they belong. This amount of effort is also put into making sure all incoming freshman, and older students, know what the graduation requirements are, especially for their desired degree. The on-campus food is surprisingly great too, as I did not expect this kind of taste and quality from a school. I am very happy and proud to say that I go here, and I can not wait to see where this school takes me!
Aria - 08/28/2023
I love Central! The people are super nice and they always have something nice to say. I have made a really nice group of friends with many different backgrounds and interests. I am so excited to be a Junior at central going into my third round of teaching classes.
The only grife is some students especially in the food service sometimes will purposefully mess up an order. Then get annoyed when you bring it up to them. They do it to complain to their co-workers. But even then I dont as much because the food is really good.
Jorge - 05/31/2023
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Yaritza - 01/31/2023
I thought is was the perfect college after I went to a tour of the school. I like it especialy because it is not that big of a school. Every class is like the size of a highschool class and not like a stadium size class! CWU is also one of the best places to obtain any degree in teaching, so that is another point for me to go there because I really have had in interest in teaching physical education.
I like Central so far, but because of Covid I have only done online classes so sports and other activities are hard to get involved in. Though the online classes are well laid out and still provide ample learning opportunities. The only thing I do not like is when there are tests or quizzes that can only be taken on one single day at a certain time. Online classes should be more flexible as most of the time the people who take them work full time, such as I do. So I had to take time off just to take those tests/quizzes. I would understand if the class was a real time online class with zooms and such, but I only take regular online classes where you just have to do things on your own time and get them in by the due date, So if the test/quiz had to be taken just that day then I could work around it. That would be my main complaint, but otherwise it's been great going to school there.
Jocelyn - 01/29/2021
I love CWU, it is like a big family most of us don't have a hard time making friends because it is a very welcoming atmosphere. Same goes for our professors they are easy going and typically help out has much as they can. There are a few ups and downs but what school doesn't have them?
Daisy - 12/04/2020
Central Washington University is a great school. I love how diverse it is. It really helps you gain different perspectives and learn about the beauty in the world. Central's staff are all super friendly and helpful. There are lots of shops around so you will never get bored. The clubs are awesome and care about you. Although it is online, Central does a good job of doing events to help students interact and make new friends. We are a hybrid school!
Aaron - 05/31/2020
Very good the campus has a lovely aroma even when theirs no one there u still fee the school sprit lingering around also the classes seem interesting and the students look happy and safe in central Washington University but I think the college needs a chess club or atleast a chess team
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Central Washington University is 79%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Out of my college experience i have gotten the chance to live on my own and learn how to make good decisions without having my parents around. I have learned to become more independent and less of a procrastinator. I have also learned the importance of schooling and from going to Central I have become more focused on my studies.
The best thing about CWU is the community. Many of the campus dorms support a program called Living Learning Communities in which the resident students are allowed to interact as if they were all neighbors and companions. The campus itself in my opinion gives off a friendly atmosphere that promotes casual relationships with just about everyone. The town too has a small but close feel that allows students and civilians to feel comfortable.
My classmates are typically upperclassmen who are as interested in geology as I am. They have become my good friends and offer help if I am not understanding something in any of my classes.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
I attend the campus in Des Moines, WA. It is an off-campus location, so for me I would say the worst thing would be that we do not have direct access to all the social events and work out rooms like the students do that attend the Ellensburg campus. Another issue for me is that I attend school at night and there is no way to microwave my dinner so I eat a lot of sandwichs. Otherwise I really enjoy my program that I attend at CWU.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
My school is in a medium sized city, which still provides the hometown feel as well as the city life. Its not too far from a major city, such as Seattle or Spokane. The school, offers great class sizes which provide the one-on-one attention you may need in college.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I personally wish that I would have known more people before coming to school. Being a shy person it was very difficult to make friends at first and loneliness was at times overwhelming. I also wish I had known that if I had just gotten involved more with sports and volunteering I would've been able to make the friends that I have much quicker. Once I put myself out there meeting people was easy.
The kind of person who should attend this school is someone who likes small towns and being outside. Also someone who is looking for more of a personal college experience.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
I think students who don't care about their education and who are just here to party shouldn't attend this school. We have so many opportunities and those who take advantage of them will succeed and have many opportunities after they graduate. The university is very strict with drug and alcohol rules and don't allow any exceptions to those rules. Campus police are out in full force throughout the year and will take action if necessary. It is a very fun and safe environment and I think it is important to keep that throughout the coming years.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I most brag about all the help that is offered and the small class sizes. There are tons of people who are willing to help you , as well as different programs. Professors have office hours everyday and if they have a TA or GA they have office hours too. With the exception of one class i have never had a class size bigger than 35 .
What's the most frustrating thing about your school?
The only thing I can think of that frustrates me at Central Washington University is that some of the professors are from other countries and are very hard to understand most of the time. Although I do not question their intellectual level, their ability to teach successfully is greatly decreased because they have very heavy accents, which isnt at all their faults. I do not have anything against these professors and still strive to do my best in their classes. It's just that the learning experience is slightly more frustrating and it's harder to understand some concepts.
What are the most popular student activities/groups?
Central is definitely a party school but, if you're like me then you don't drink and there are other things to do than drink. It's really not too hard to find your group and figure out what you're going to do on weekends.
I am a freshman so I am not in my major yet but, other than this, my general requirements are alright. Depending on the class, it could be very easy or very difficult.
They are here to take your money. The professors are wonderful, but administration is here to make you miserable, take every penny you've got and leave you confused and stressed. What ever you do, DONT sign an annual residence contract unless you are SURE you want to be in the dorms. They will not let you leave once you are in.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
89% of students attending Central Washington University receive some sort of financial aid.
39% were awarded federal grants.60%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
