Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Central Washington University #333 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,444, placing Central Washington University in the 63.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Central Washington University sits in the 70.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting how graduates perform relative to similar students at comparable institutions. Central Washington University's composite standing reflects a balance of affordability, access, and graduate earnings that holds up well within the Azimuth coverage set. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,444 and earn about $3,175 more than similar students at comparable institutions, outcomes that together define the university's financial value proposition for students weighing a public degree in Washington state.
Azimuth ranks Central Washington University #333 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Ellensburg, WA, Central Washington University enrolls roughly 7,833 undergraduates. Freshman retention runs at 70.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 53.6%, figures that reflect a student body that largely completes what it starts. The composite is anchored by mobility and access. 28.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 40.0% are first-generation college students — a profile that signals broad access to a regional public university serving students who are often the first in their families to pursue a degree. Azimuth ranks Central Washington University #629 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median four-year earnings of $63,444, and Central Washington University sits in the 70.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, meaning graduates earn about $3,175 more than similar students at comparable institutions relative to similar students at comparable institutions. Affordability and access round out the picture. Central Washington University sits in the 67.8 percentile for affordability and the 53.4 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a pricing structure and admissions posture consistent with its regional public mission. The dominant program concentration in Business shapes both the earnings profile and the career pathways most graduates pursue. For families weighing a public university in Washington state that serves a broad student population, Central Washington University offers a composite picture grounded in access, mobility, and regionally relevant outcomes.
Central Washington University's published cost of attendance is $28,816. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $11,846, middle-income families pay around $16,022, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,719. Azimuth ranks Central Washington University #460 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Central Washington University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's aid structure prioritizes closing the gap between published cost and what families actually pay through grants and scholarships. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,444, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment. In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, projected four-year earnings of $48,680 would tighten the relationship between debt service and income — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Central Washington University is a strong fit for students drawn to business, education, and applied professional fields who want a public regional university in WA with a clear path to stable post-graduation earnings. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,444, placing Central Washington University in the 63.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and earn about $3,175 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Central Washington University in the 70.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. With 28.3% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 40.0% identifying as first-generation students, Central Washington University serves a broad access population — and 57.3% of Pell-eligible students complete their degrees, a signal that the institution supports students through to graduation rather than just enrollment. Fit depends on two realistic filters: Central Washington University is broadly accessible, admitting roughly 90.6% of applicants, and its program portfolio centers on Business and related applied fields — students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those seeking a research-intensive or highly specialized STEM environment may find a better match elsewhere.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Central Washington University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State University Similar quality tier (#10852 ranked) | NC | 90% | $51,836 | #10852 | Compare |
Kansas State University Similar quality tier (#10851 ranked) | KS | 82% | $57,262 | #10851 | Compare |
North Carolina Central University Similar quality tier (#10859 ranked) | NC | 87% | $42,968 | #10859 | Compare |
Middle Georgia State University Similar quality tier (#10860 ranked) | GA | 100% | $40,863 | #10860 | Compare |
Western Michigan University Similar quality tier (#10845 ranked) | MI | 85% | $53,562 | #10845 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Central Washington University's published cost of attendance is $28,816. Net price by income band reflects the institution's public-tuition structure and need-based aid reach: low-income families pay approximately $11,846, middle-income families pay around $16,022, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,719.
Azimuth ranks Central Washington University #460 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Central Washington University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside state and institutional aid. The institution's aid structure prioritizes closing the gap between published cost and what families actually pay through grants and scholarships.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $63,444, median federal debt of $19,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $220 under standard ten-year repayment.
In a downside earnings scenario anchored on lower-earning program clusters, projected four-year earnings of $48,680 would tighten the relationship between debt service and income — a pattern worth exploring at the program level rather than the institutional average. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $63,444, placing Central Washington University in the 63.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,175 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Central Washington University in the 70.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Central Washington University #629 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures represent meaningful returns relative to WA's no-degree earnings baseline of $36,819 — the state median earnings of working adults with only a high school credential.
The earnings pattern at Central Washington University is anchored by its Business concentration, with program-mix strength spread across Business (22%), Education (15%), and Social Sciences (9%). Business Administration stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining cohort scale with solid four-year earnings.
Business Administration, the largest program by graduate count with 257 graduates, posts median four-year earnings of $73,036, and Azimuth ranks it #69 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Teacher Education (246 graduates, $59,659 median four-year earnings) and Psychology, General (181 graduates, $54,530) round out the core of the institution's earnings profile, while Subject-Specific Teacher Education and Criminal Justice extend the range into fields where early-career pay is more moderate but hiring demand remains steady.
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
28 graduates
Construction Management
38 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
18 graduates
Computer Science
60 graduates
Economics
8 graduates
Central Washington University's program mix is anchored in Business, with meaningful enrollment across education, health, and applied social sciences — a signature consistent with a regional public university serving the workforce needs of central Washington. Business accounts for 22% of graduates, followed by Education at 15% and Social Sciences at 9%, reflecting a broad, professionally oriented degree portfolio.
Across 64 programs serving roughly 2,579 students annually, the institution concentrates its degree output in fields with direct regional labor-market demand. The program combining the largest graduate cohort with strong earnings outcomes is Business Administration, which functions as a core economic driver for Central Washington University graduates.
Among the most-enrolled programs, Business Administration program graduates 257 students with median earnings of $73,036 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #69 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Teacher Education and Psychology, General also enroll large cohorts — 246 and 181 graduates respectively — with four-year median earnings of $59,659 and $54,530, reflecting the institution's strength in applied professional fields tied to [how Azimuth evaluates programs](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
The highest-earning programs at Central Washington University are concentrated in technical and applied fields. Air Transportation leads with median earnings of $74,997 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #22 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Accounting and Business Administration follow with four-year median earnings of $74,442 and $73,036 respectively, representing high-mobility direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets with competitive starting pay. For context on how these fields align with broader workforce demand, the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) framework provides useful benchmarks.
