Central Washington University
Ellensburg, United States • Founded 1891 • World Rank #4131
Overview
Founded in 1891, the Central Washington University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the rural setting of the large town of Ellensburg (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Washington.
This institution also has branch campuses in Des Moines, Lynnwood, Pierce County, Kent, Moses Lake, Wenatchee and Yakima. Officially accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Central Washington University (CWU) is a large-sized coeducational US higher education institution.
Central Washington University (CWU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in several areas of study. This 132-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. CWU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where Central Washington University is located and how to contact its offices. Disability and accessibility information is usually held by a separate student services office worth contacting directly.
Academic Details
Key statistics on Central Washington University's student population, faculty size, and external recognition. International vs domestic student split is often missing from these figures but matters for campus culture.
Academic Structures
Central Washington University's internal academic units — faculties, schools, and institutes — are grouped below. The breakdown helps when navigating departmental websites and specific contact points.
Unit 5 items
- College of Arts and Humanities
- College of Business
- College of Education and Professional Studies
- College of the Sciences
- William O. Douglas Honors College
Programs Offered
Below: Central Washington University's programme list by level. Programme intakes vary — some offer multiple entry points per year (Sep, Jan, May), others a single annual intake.
Bachelor's Degree
113 programmes
Central Washington University runs 113 programmes at bachelor's level — undergraduate programmes that usually span three to four years and serve as the standard entry route into a profession or further study.
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Journalism Journalism
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Media Studies & Mass Media
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer Software and Media Applications Digital Media & Game Development
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Culinary Arts and Related Services Culinary Arts
Education, General Education & Teaching
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Engineering Physics General Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician General Engineering
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
American Sign Language Linguistics & Language Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Family & Consumer Science
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
Apparel and Textiles Family & Consumer Science
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, Other Family & Consumer Science
Non-Professional Legal Studies Law
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Botany/Plant Biology Biological Sciences
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Molecular Biology
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Biological Sciences
Zoology/Animal Biology Biological Sciences
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences Biological Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Gerontology Liberal Arts
Museology/Museum Studies Liberal Arts
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Natural Sciences Liberal Arts
Nutrition Sciences Liberal Arts
Data Science Liberal Arts
Data Analytics Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Sport and Exercise Science
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management Sport and Exercise Science
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Philosophy and Religious Studies, General Philosophy & Ethics
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Physical Sciences, General Natural Sciences
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Psychology, General Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Human Services, General Public Administration
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
Geography and Cartography Geography
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Air Transportation Aviation Studies
Visual and Performing Arts, General Visual Arts
Dance Performing Arts
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management Media Management
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Health Sciences
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Health Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Nutrition & Dietetics
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services Business Administration
Business/Managerial Economics Economics
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations Entrepreneurship
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Hospitality Administration/Management Hospitality Management
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Management Information Systems and Services IT Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
Insurance Business Administration
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations Business Administration
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations Retail Management
Construction Management Business Administration
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
46 programmes
Central Washington University's 46 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Forestry & Natural Resources
Natural Resources and Conservation, Other Forestry & Natural Resources
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Education, General Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Educational/Instructional Media Design Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General General Engineering
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Family & Consumer Science
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Literature English Language Studies
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Historic Preservation and Conservation Liberal Arts
Behavioral Sciences Liberal Arts
Nutrition Sciences Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Public Administration Public Administration
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Public Health Public Health
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
1 programme
Central Washington University lists 1 programme awarding a doctorate — the apex qualification for those pursuing research leadership or an academic career.
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
29 programmes
Central Washington University lists 29 programmes outside the standard bachelor-to-doctorate ladder — vocational and pathway awards that often carry credit toward a later full degree.
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences, General Computer Sciences
Computer Software and Media Applications Digital Media & Game Development
Education, General Education & Teaching
Education, General Education & Teaching
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services Family & Consumer Science
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Security Science and Technology Criminal Law & Justice
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Geography and Cartography Geography
Public Health Public Health
Public Health Public Health
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Nutrition & Dietetics
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations Retail Management
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Central Washington University
Five steps that capture how most applications to Central Washington University flow, from research through submission to follow-up correspondence.
- 1 Research programmes at Central Washington University
Use the programme finder to browse Central Washington University's 189 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
- 2 Review admissions criteria
Programme-level requirements at Central Washington University typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
- 3 Gather supporting documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
- 4 Lodge your application
Central Washington University processes applications through www.cwu.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
- 5 Confirm receipt and track progress
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (509) 963 1111. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Central Washington University
Quick reference for Central Washington University: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.
In what year was Central Washington University established?
Central Washington University was founded in 1891 (approximately 135 years ago).
In which city is Central Washington University?
Central Washington University is based in Ellensburg, United States.
Is Central Washington University a public or private institution?
Central Washington University is a public institution.
How many students study at Central Washington University?
Central Washington University has approximately 10,000-14,999 students.
Where does Central Washington University stand in university rankings?
It ranks #4131 globally and #434 in United States.
How is Central Washington University organised academically?
Central Washington University is organised into 5 academic units across its disciplines.
Is Central Washington University accredited?
Yes, Central Washington University is recognised by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
How do I find Central Washington University online?
Central Washington University's official website is www.cwu.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Subject-specific rankings sometimes diverge from overall national rankings. A university below Central Washington University overall may lead in your subject — worth checking subject tables separately.
Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Coordination on academic calendars among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) members eases exchange programme logistics. Aligned terms reduce timing friction when moving between Central Washington University and other members.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Climate and seasonal factors apply consistently across universities near Central Washington University, but campus altitude or coastline exposure can shift the experience meaningfully even within a cluster.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Cohort intake size shapes class culture meaningfully in Education & Teaching. Some the United States institutions accept a few dozen, others hundreds — the difference affects peer-learning depth and faculty access.
Universities Often Compared with Central Washington University
Endowment and financial peer comparison signals institutional resources and scholarship depth. Universities comparable to Central Washington University in this dimension often offer similar aid packages.
