Central Washington University
Central Washington University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Central Washington University at a Glance
Central Washington University (CWU) is a public university in Ellensburg, Washington, United States. It was founded in 1891 as the Washington State Normal School.
1891
135 years old
$48M
$47.6 million (2025)
10,811
10,317 undergrad · 494 grad
380 acres
Identity
Is Central Washington University Worth It?
Central Washington University offers moderate value at $18,476/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $61,580, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 91% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Central Washington University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #73 of 128 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
| #73 | Central Washington University | 43 | $18,476 | $61,580 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Central Washington University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in WA.
Best Programs at Central Washington University
The highest-earning program at Central Washington University is Construction Management at $67,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,600/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Construction Management graduate from Central Washington University earns $67,100, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,600. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Construction Management graduates carry $18,461 in median debt vs. $21,425 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $18,476/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management | $67,100 | $67,100 | $18,461 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $66,000 | $66,000 | $21,000 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | $64,100 | $64,100 | $23,559 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $53,700 | $53,700 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science | $48,300 | $48,300 | $21,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $45,100 | $45,100 | $20,916 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $44,600 | $44,600 | $23,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,900 | $43,900 | $17,514 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,000 | $43,000 | $20,049 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,000 | $42,000 | $22,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $39,600 | $39,600 | $20,000 |
| Air Transportation | $39,300 | $39,300 | $20,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $38,700 | $38,700 | $16,219 |
| Social Sciences, General | $36,400 | $36,400 | $21,453 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,200 | $36,200 | $19,327 |
| Economics | $36,000 | $36,000 | $16,350 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management | $35,700 | $35,700 | $21,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $35,100 | $35,100 | $21,173 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,700 | $34,700 | $20,500 |
| Public Health | $33,800 | $33,800 | $22,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $32,900 | $32,900 | $19,534 |
| Sociology | $32,000 | $32,000 | $23,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,500 | $31,500 | $17,884 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $31,500 | $31,500 | $17,500 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $22,049 |
| Human Services, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $18,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,900 | $27,900 | $22,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $27,500 | $27,500 | N/A |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $26,500 | $26,500 | $24,300 |
| Biology, General | $26,000 | $26,000 | $24,500 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $25,800 | $25,800 | $24,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,500 | $23,500 | $24,399 |
| Anthropology | $22,400 | $22,400 | $23,950 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,600 | $20,600 | $21,425 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Ellensburg, WA
- Student Body
- 7,833 students
- Admission Rate
- 91%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $18,476
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $61,580
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500