Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$16,441
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$10,796
$30k - $48k
$12,706
$48k - $75k
$17,235
$75k - $110k
$21,566
$110k+
$22,466
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$8,845
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$25,910
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$13,645
Books and Supplies
$900
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
59%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
34%
Average Aid Per Year
$7,503
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
34%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,910
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$3,425
Students receiving state aid
33%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$6,362
Students receiving federal aid
36%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,910
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$42,176,224
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$1,043,286

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
58%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,315
Students receiving federal loans
57%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,466
Average Other Loans Per Year
$13,870
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$13,000
Loan Default Rate
7%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$191

What Students Are Saying

Tuition just got raised 15%, but it is still a very inexpensive school to go to. Otherwise, I think everything that is offered here should be worth way more than it is, but I love the low prices :)
Katherina from Tacoma, WA
This place has become my home in such a short time. I am so lucky that I was able to come to such a welcoming community. and that is worth all the money in the world to me. if your looking for a place to be happy, this is where you should choose. because everything about this central makes you wish you came sooner
Austin from Henderson, NV
Well, everyone knows that college expenses are not fun! However, CWU definately provides the education and experience for your money! Whether you are into music and theater or hiking and fishing, there is always something to do here!
Taylor from Manchester, WA
Since I am an out of state student, it's a little more expensive than you would expect. But they do offer a Western Undergraduate Exchange Waiver (WUE) to most students who come from the northwest area (oregon, idaho, california, etc. There's more information about which states are covered on their website). This helped me out a lot. There are a lot of scholarships too, and you can apply for almost all of them with one application at the beginning of february. The cost is worth it though; the campus is beautiful and they have a lot to offer!
Nikita from Saint Helens, OR
Good school if you don't have a lot of money.
Peyton from Ellensburg, WA
Every college seems expensive, but CWU is one of the cheaper universities in the state and you really get a lot for your money. It's a wonderful campus with professors that really care about their students' success.
Noelle from Olympia, WA
Cheaper then bigger colleges.
Norma from Buckley, WA
I think that schools like Central are the best deal for the amount of money spent. Freshman fees include dorm costs, a food plan, and tuition for very reasonable prices. Most classes are anywhere between 15 and 50 people, so there is a lot of personal communication with the teachers.
Robyn from Walla Walla, WA