Central Washington University admits 90.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Central Washington in the Open Access category, with admission rates above 75%. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates Central Washington is more accessible than typical similar institutions by 5.6 percentage points. This level of accessibility means that most students who meet basic eligibility requirements can expect admission, though academic preparation remains important for success once enrolled. The university's open access mission reflects its commitment to serving diverse student populations, including first-generation college students, transfer students, and working adults. Students should view Central Washington as an accessible option while focusing their application energy on demonstrating readiness for college-level work and articulating their academic and career goals. The university evaluates applicants holistically, considering factors beyond test scores and GPA. Prospective students should prepare complete applications that showcase their potential for success rather than worrying about meeting highly competitive admission thresholds. This accessibility creates opportunities for students who may not qualify for more selective institutions but are prepared to engage seriously with their education.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Central Washington enrolls a diverse student body that reflects the university's accessible admission standards and commitment to serving underrepresented populations. The institution serves 31.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating enrollment of students from lower-income families, and 40.0% first-generation college students, demonstrating significant commitment to expanding higher education access. Transfer students comprise 37.4% of enrollment, reflecting the university's role as a destination for community college graduates and students seeking new academic directions. This student composition indicates that Central Washington actively supports students from diverse educational and economic backgrounds. The high percentage of first-generation students suggests the university provides strong support services for students navigating college as the first in their families to pursue higher education. The substantial transfer population indicates flexible academic pathways and recognition of prior college experience. Students from lower-income families should note the significant Pell-eligible population when assessing campus fit and available support systems. First-generation applicants should recognize that they will join a substantial community of students with similar backgrounds. Transfer students should view Central Washington as an institution experienced in supporting students transitioning from other colleges and universities.
Given Central Washington's 90.2% acceptance rate, admission is accessible for most qualified applicants. However, students seeking geographic alternatives or different outcomes may consider these options.
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Central Washington maintains a 69.0% retention rate and 49.9% six-year graduation rate, both below the peer medians of 73.2% and 49.3% respectively. However, Pell-eligible students graduate at 57.3%, creating a positive 7.4 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This reverse gap indicates that lower-income students who enroll at Central Washington actually outperform their higher-income peers in degree completion, suggesting particularly effective support systems for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The higher Pell completion rate demonstrates the university's effectiveness in supporting students who face additional financial and social barriers to degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect to find support systems designed to help them persist through graduation, particularly if they come from lower-income backgrounds. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the academic environment and support structure they will experience. The positive Pell gap suggests that first-generation and lower-income students may find particularly strong community and resources at Central Washington. Students considering this institution should plan to engage actively with academic support services and campus resources to maximize their chances of successful degree completion.
Similar quality tier (#228 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools