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Central Washington University

40.3(0)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1891
Founded
1891
Type
Public
University Guide

About Central Washington University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Central Washington University is a public university located in Ellensburg, Washington, United States of America. It was established in 1891 and is currently a renowned name in the US Education System that offers more than 125 programs at undergraduate and graduate level.

Around 94.6% of the students at the university come from Washington state. Around 11,658 students are enrolled at the institute, out of which 11,111 are undergraduate students. Nealry 85% of the total applicants were accepted during Fall 2023, and 23% of the accepted students enrolled in the college.

Prospering in the race of one of the best schools in the state, Central Washington University admissions are a coveted event for international applicants across the globe. To substantiate, the university also won the title of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The university follows a quarter academic calendar and offers admissions to candidates seeking to study in the USA at an acceptance rate of 85%.

Central Washington University Rankings

Ranking Agency
#23rd Rank in Top Public Schools US News
#47th Rank in Regional Universities West US News
#501-600th Rank among US College Rank Times Higher Education
#362nd Rank in United States UNI Rank
#1002nd Rank Globally UNI Rank
#540th Rank among Top Colleges Forbes
#196th Rank among Public Colleges Forbes

US News listed CWU as 53rd for its performance in Social Mobility. Also listed among top-50 Best school for offering Master's Degree Programs in Canada as per Washington Monthly MagazineListed among the Best Value University in the list Money Magazine(#4th) and US News(#35th).

Highlights

Established 1891
Type Public State
Campus Setting Rural
Entity Not for Profit
Acceptance Rate 85%
Average SAT Score 950-1170
Average ACT Score 17-24
Undergraduate Enrollment 14,918
Graduate enrollment 900
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1
Academic Calendar Quarters
Intake Season Fall, Winter, Summer and Autumn
Financial Aids Scholarship and Grants
Locations Ellensburg, Washington, United States
Admission Help Desk [email protected]

Central Washington University Campus

  • The campus of Central Washington University is located at 8 places in Washington, United States of America.
  • The main campus is located in Ellensburg, Washington, USA.
  • The eight university centres are located in various places to allow the students to choose the centre that suits the best for them.
  • There are over 125 clubs and student organizations and associations on campus
  • More than 30% of the students participate in intramural sports and around 500 students participate in the 23 sports clubs.
  • Students have an option to choose from various classroom options like face- to- face, hybrid, online or interactive television programs.

Central Washington University Housing facilities/Residence

  • Around 17 residence halls and 5 apartments are there on campus to provide housing for students.
  • Suite style housing has been changed to single occupancy rooms only for the next term in order to reduce student density and ensure safety.
  • Housing applications are currently open for new students.
  • There are 15 freshman residence halls on the Central, South and North campuses and 7 Sophomore or Above residence halls.
  • Various facilities offered in university residence halls include Wi- Fi, laundry facilities, large lounges for social gatherings, furnishings like beds, chairs, desks etc.
  • The housing rates are as follows:
    • Current Residential Halls - 11,500 to 15,877 USD per academic year
    • Current residential apartments - 626 to 1143 USD per academic year
  • Comprising 2800 students, the total residential halls are 17 in number.
  • The three categories of rooms are single, double and triple sharing.
  • Special housing arrangements available for students with a disability as well as married students.
  • Bookstore, Library, FM service, High-speed internet are the additional amenities offered in the residential halls.
  • Other than this, students can also go for off-campus housing options based on their affordability and living style.

Central Washington University Programs

  • The university offers a range of courses for international students including more than 135 programs in various fields.
  • The university offers online as well as on- campus undergraduate and master’s courses and Summer courses as well.
  • The top degrees offered by the university are Elementary Education and Teaching, Criminal Justice/ Safety Studies, General Psychology, Social Sciences and Business Administration.
  • Degrees are offered in various other fields like music, geology, physics, paramedicine, education, mathematics, chemistry etc.
  • It also offers 75 programs in more than 40 countries, ranging from a week to an entire year.
  • The academic course also includes seminars and orientation sessions during its term.
Programs Admission Requirements
Master of Professional Accountancy Intermediate Accounting Series with a grade C or higher, At least one Tax course, Minimum of 3.0 GPA in Bachelor's
Master of Fine Arts Portfolio of recent work in JPEG or PDF, CV or Resume, Statement of Artist in Word, Letters of Recommendation, Objective Statement
Master of Arts in Teaching WEST- B Sub Tests(Writing, reading and mathematics) with 240 score in each section, Bachelor's Transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 in last 30 credits, Statement of Objectives in 500 words, 3 Letter of Recommendation
MSc in Computer Science 4 year's Bachelor's Degree, Minimum of 3.0 GPA, Minor in Computer Science, Major in mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics and geology
Master's of Law and Justice 4 years Bachelor's in Social Science, 3.0 GPA in previous 90 quarters of or 60 Semesters of study, 3 Professional letter of Recommendation by professors, Personal Statement in 500 words
M.Ed School Administration 3 References, Letter of Intent, Resume, Teaching certificate with a minimum 1 year of teaching experience

Central Washington University Application Process

International students seeking admission at Central Washington University need to meet the following requirements depending upon their level of study.

How to apply?

Undergraduate Programs

Application Portal: Undergraduate registration portal

Application Fee: The application must be submitted along with a fee of 50 USD.

Application Deadlines: The priority deadlines for various quarters are listed below:

Quarter Application priority deadline
Fall February 1
Winter November 1
Spring March 1
Summer June 1

Basic Admission Requirements: The following documents will have to submit by the applicants:

  • Official transcripts
  • Confidential financial statement
  • Bank statement
  • Copy of passport
  • The applicant must submit high school transcripts along with the SAT or ACT scores on the portal.
  • English proficiency test scores with the scores given below:
English proficiency test Minimum Required Score
TOEFL- iBT 71
TOEFL- PBT 525
TOEFL- CBT 195
IELTS 6.0
DET 100

Graduate Programs

  • Application Portal: Graduate online registration portal
  • The candidate can submit an offline/online application form after paying a non-refundable fee of 75 USD from the above link.
  • A 500-word statement of objectives must be written describing the candidate’s interest and passion for learning at the university.
  • 3 letters of recommendation must be provided by the candidate, obtained from acquaintances or professional background.
  • Official transcripts from previous educational institutes must be enclosed.
  • Candidates must submit written samples for the following.
    • History [7-10 pages]
    • Theatre studies [5 pages]
    • English [7-10 pages ]
    • Law and justice [2 pages, work related]
    • Exercise science [2 pages]
  • Additionally, students may have to submit GRE or GMAT scores depending on the program requirement.

Students need to contact 509-963-1911 to receive the topic for the same.

Central Washington University Cost of Attendance

Students enrolled at Central Washington University need to incur the following expenses every academic year. The distribution of expenses in the form of an estimated budget for international students looking to study in the US is as mentioned below.

Expense Resident Dependent commuter Independent commuter Non- resident Western Undergraduate Exchange
Tuition USD 6,170 USD 6,170 USD 6,170 USD 21,151 USD 10,321
S & A Fees USD 711 USD 711 USD 711 USD 711 USD 711
Mandatory Fees USD 1,191 USD 1,191 USD 1,191 USD 1,191 USD 1,191
Books USD 1,002 USD 1,002 USD 1,002 USD 1,002 USD 1,002
Room and Board USD 11,115 USD 3,757 USD 8,835 USD 11,115 USD 11,115
Personal USD 1,752 USD 1,752 USD 1,752 USD 1,752 USD 1,752
Transportation USD 1,260 USD 1,260 USD 1,260 USD 1,260 USD 1,260
TOTAL USD 23,201 USD 16,031 USD 20,921 USD 38,182 USD 27,351

Central Washington University Scholarships/Financial Aid

  • The university offers merit based scholarships for international students to study in the USA to candidates enrolled at both undergraduate as well as graduate courses.
  • International undergraduate and graduate students are entitled to international scholarships worth 12,500 USD.
  • No separate application is required for these scholarships and students are automatically considered based on their admission applications.
  • The minimum required GPA for UG applicants is 2.70 and PG applicants is 3.0.
  • The students selected for merit scholarships will be notified within 2 to 3 weeks after being admitted to the university.
  • Scholarships can be re-awarded every year based on the GPA of the Spring semester.

Alumni Network

  • The Alumni Association of CWU strives to promote relationships between the university and the alumni.
  • The alumni are offered various benefits like access to career services of the university.
  • The alumni can attend various engaging events and get discounted memberships.
  • Various insurance programs, travel programs, and discounts for Continuing Education and 10% discount at Wildcat Shop are provided to alumni.
  • Some of the notable alumni are:
    • Adam Bighill — CFL Linebacker of BC Lions
    • Duane Davidson — Washington State Treasurer
    • Christine M. Day — CEO of Lululemon Athletica
    • W. Hudson Kensel — historian of American West
    • Raymond Conner - CEO of Boeing
    • Jared Bronson — NFL Tight end of Miami Dolphins

Central Washington University Placements

The Career Services of Central Washington University conducts various job and career fairs to connect the students with the employers. The average salary after graduation from Central Washington University is 44,900 USD. The graduation rate of the university is 64%.

Average Salary of some of the Highest paid Jobs offered to CWU graduates

Job Position Average Salary
Consulting, Accounting & Professional Services 76,000 USD
Logistics, Operations & Purchasing 70,000 USD

Average Salary offered to CWU Graduates/Undergraduates
 

Program Average Salary
Bachelor of Science 73,000 USD
70,000 USd

Students can also make use of Wildcat Career Network which has many online resources like mock interviews, job postings, resume examples etc.

FAQs

Ques. What is the minimum GPA required for admission in Central Washington University?

Ans. Undergraduate admission require a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher in high school. Graduate admission require a minimum GPA of 3.0 or in Bachelor's.

Ques. What are the courses offered by Central Washington University?

Ans. Central Washington University has offers undergraduate and graduate programs in disciplines like Art, Philosophy, Anthropology, Accounting, Business, Digital Marketing, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Law and Sociology etc.

Ques. Is it worth taking admission in CWU?

Ans. The Central Washington University is one of the top public universities. Washington Monthly ranked CWU as 47th for its master's degree programs. It is also one of the most affordable online colleges. The university also offers good placements for both undergraduate and graduate students. It s most recommended for those who are seeking for valuable master's degree with good placements.

Ques. What is the admission process for International students in Central Washington University?

Ans. Admission in undergraduate program requires official transcripts of high school with complete course list, English Proficiency proof, Financial statement, bank statement and passport copy.

Graduate program requires evaluated bachelor's transcripts with previous 60 semester hours along with English proficiency proof and 3 recommendation letters, objective statement or essay, financial statement, writing samples for some programs, GRE test score.

These documents should be sent directly to the admission office of CWU.

Ques. What is the acceptance rate in Central Washington University?

Ans. Central Washington University has a acceptance rate of 85% as it less selective in accepting application. The level of competition in CWU is quite low.

Ques. Does CWU offers placements?

Ans. CWU's Wildcat Career Network provide various job and internship opportunities for its students and alumni. Students may apply for part-time, full-time and off-campus/on-campus jobs. Jobs can be explored through workshops and career fairs.

Ques. Does Central Washington University offers scholarships?

Ans. International students are offered merit based scholarship worth 12,800 CAD. Undergraduate students required a minimum GPA of 2.7 and graduate student require a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for scholarships. Scholarships will be renewed as per the academic performance of the student.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

83

Fee from

₹24,79,228.77

Exams

IELTS · TOEFL

Showing 5 of 70 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 21.7 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 23,184 /Yr
Living Expense₹1872600
Estimated Total₹2275209
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Located at Ellensburg, Washington, founded in 1891, Central Washington University, Washington enrolls around 12,500 (12,342 Fall 2023) students with the majority of students (around 94%) coming from the state itself and female students ratio is higher than the male students. The undergraduate students are also around 92%. 

Central Washington University offers programs across over 135 undergraduate degrees and around 34 graduate degrees and is divided into 4 main academic colleges and schools namely College of Arts and Humanity, College of Business, College of Sciences, and College of Education and Professional studies.

The university gets approximately 4% international students from over 54 countries and around 25% of students stay on campus. 

  • The University enrolls around 12,500 students with the majority in undergraduate courses. 50% of the total students are Whites, 14% are Hispanics or Latinos and approximately 4% of the total number of students is from more than 54 countries representing the international student community on the campus.
  • Central Washington University has an acceptance rate of 88% and has a 69% retention rate. The graduate percentage is approximately 55% and 93% of the graduating students are able to get jobs within 2 years of their passing out earning USD 46,500 per year on an average.
  • The University accepts admission applications for all four semesters of Fall, Spring, Summer, and Winter, and priority deadlines for all these intakes are published for both undergraduate and graduate admissions.
  • The University has five campuses all are approved international student host sites, the main campus is located in Ellensburg, and the other four are Des Moines, Lynnwood, Moses Lake, and Pierce County.
  • The University is ranked #55 in Regional Universities West, #30 in Best Colleges for Veterans and #22 in Best Undergraduate Teaching as per US News and World report.
  • The University’s admission application fee is USD 50 for undergraduates and USD 75 for graduate applicants. The cost of attendance for an academic year is approximately USD 40,413.

Highlights

Admission requirements for international students Online application at Central Washington University’s website
Application Fee (Non-refundable) USD 50 for undergraduate and USD 75 for Graduate applicants
Acceptance rate 78%
Mode of Payment Credit/Debit card or Check
Student-Faculty Ratio 18:1
SAT/ACT Optional/Not required
Academic Calendar Semester based
Intake Sessions Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer
Financial Aid Various loans, Grants, and Scholarships available

Admission Deadlines

Central Washington University, Ellensburg, USA accepts applications for all four semesters of Fall, Winter, Summer, and Spring, and the priority deadlines are given for reference. The applications have to be completed online through the University’s website.

The international student’s admission application deadlines for undergraduates and graduates for these intakes are given for the reference of the applicants.

Undergraduate

Semester Deadlines
Fall Feb 01
Winter Nov 01
Spring Mar 01
Summer Jun 01

Graduate

Semester Deadlines
Fall Feb 01
Winter Oct 01
Spring Jan 01
Summer Apr 01

Central Washington University International Student Admissions

Central Washington University accepts international applicants, subject to adherence to the admission requirements. The applicants must have completed the prerequisite education and fulfilled the minimum grade point equivalency.

All the transcripts and other documents should be translated into English and submitted through the channel specified. International students also have to prove their financial capability to undertake the desired course.

The admission process is similar for both international and domestic applicants. However, international applicants need to meet some additional requirements.

Application Portal: The students can make an online application through the university’s online portal for graduates and at Undergraduate Application Portal for undergraduates.

Application Fee: A non-refundable USD 50 application fee for undergraduates and USD 75 for graduates.

Admission Requirements for International Students

  • Completed online application.
  • Applicable non-refundable application fee payment.
  • Submit official (translated) copies of all Academic records starting from High school and above through the institution. These copies must be evaluated by the credential evaluation approved organizations like NACES or WES for India and Pakistan Applicants. For graduate admissions generally, a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.
  • English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or other accepted tests).
  • SAT/ACT scores are optional for undergraduates but GMAT /GRE scores for graduates according to the programs are required.
  • An essay stating why you want to join the university for undergraduate applicants.
  • Submit a financial statement with original supporting documents from a reputed financial institution confirming that the applicant has sufficient funds to cover tuition, boarding, lodging, transportation, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses to cover the period of study at the university. The financial statement must be notarized and needs to be accompanied by the bank statement or the letter from the Employer or the sponsor.
  • Passport ID pages Copy
  • The graduate applications also require submitting an essay/statement of their objective and goals. And three letters of recommendation in the prescribed format through supplemental forms of the application. 
  • Any other program-related documentation specified by the university.
  • All students have to complete the certificate of immunization before registering for the classes also.
  • The college also accepts international transfer students.

Issuance of I20 or IAP 66 may take 6 to 8 week’s time. Applicants need to keep this in time and must start the application process keeping in mind the start date of the session they are applying for.

English Proficiency Test Score for International Students

International applicants have to demonstrate English proficiency through one of the internationally recognized standardized examinations in English. Applicants are also requested to check the course-wise specific requirements of different departments before seeking admission.

Undergraduate Students

Name of the test Minimum Required Scores
TOEFL PBT 525
TOEFL CBT 195
TOEFL iBT 71
IELTS 6.0

Graduate Students

Name of the test Minimum Required Scores
TOEFL PBT 550
TOEFL CBT 213
TOEFL iBT 79
IELTS 6.5

Visa Process for International Students

Applicants must submit a complete application with all the documents after which they will receive Form I-20 or IAP66 from the Institute. The documents needed to receive I-20/IAP66 are :

  • Application form, Resume, Essay, and recommendation letters.
  • Copies ID pages of the passport
  • An official copy of the academic Transcripts of all qualifications achieved prior to seeking admission.
  • Proof of financial support (Bank statement/ Sponsor letter)
  • Passport pages showing identification, date of birth and residential address information

After receiving I-20, the applicant should apply for a student visa (F-1 visa) at the US Embassy by fulfilling the Embassy requirements of filing a completed application form and depositing the fee.

For obtaining a US visa, In-person interviews and Biometrics are compulsory, which should be scheduled and attended by the applicant at the nearest Embassy office.

Maintaining the timeline is extremely important and always factor in a week extra to avoid last minutes contingencies.

Central Washington University, Undergraduate Admissions

The University offers over 135 undergraduate programs. The online applications are to be submitted at the Undergraduate Application Portal with a nonrefundable application fee of USD 50.

The applicants need to submit the academic transcripts in English and need to have a GPA of a minimum of 2.0 or higher. English proficiency scores are needed and proof of finances is required. The ACT Composite scores of 24 and SAT 1070 are desirable.

Central Washington University, Graduate Admissions

The University offers graduate programs in the areas of Education, Applied Sciences, Humanities, Communication, Linguistics, Law and Justice, Information Technology, and Data Sciences mainly. There is an option of online study in various programs.

Requirements Master of Science- Cultural and
Environment Resource Management
Master in Computational Science Master of Law and Justice Masters in Experimental Psychology
Application University’s online application University’s online application University’s online application University’s online application
Admission deadline Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer
Transcripts Required Required Required Required
Credential Evaluation Required by ECE, WES, etc. Required by ECE, WES, etc. Required by ECE, WES, etc. Required by ECE, WES, etc.
Minimum GPA score 3.00 or higher 3.00 or higher 3.00 or higher 3.00 or higher
TOEFL CBT 213
iBT 79
CBT 213
iBT 79
CBT 213
iBT 79
CBT 213
iBT 79
IELTS 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5
GMAT/GRE Not Required Not Required Not Required GRE Required
Recommendations Two academic/
professional references required
Three academic/
professional references required
Two academic/
professional references required
Two academic/
professional references required
Resume Required Required Required Required
Personal Essay Required (250-500 words) Required (250-500 words) Required (250-500 words) Required (250-500 words)
Financial Form Required Required Required Required
Decision time 3-4 weeks 3-4 weeks 3-4 weeks 3-4 weeks

The University accepts the applications on a rolling basis and keeps the priority deadlines for all the programs. The applications received after one-semester intake are considered for the next intake.

For any queries, the admission counselor of the university can be reached at [email protected] or 509.963.1211.

Placements & Recruiters

Central Washington University Placement Details

Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Ellensburg, Washington, United States.

Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
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Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

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Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2019

Highlights
2019
  • Best overall country rank: #439
  • Overall: #439 in country
  • Top source: FORBES
  • 1 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall
  • 1 ranking record in 2019

Contact Information

400 E. University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926

+1-509-963-1111

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

40.3/10
Top Rated

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