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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $28,816 |
| Tuition and Fees | $27,526 |
| Room and Board | $16,480 |
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$10,340 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $18,476 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $11,846 |
| $30–48k | $13,942 |
| $48–75k | $16,022 |
| $75–110k | $21,682 |
| $110k+ | $26,719 |
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 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 .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
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 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 . 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.
