Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $28,816. College Scorecard.
Net price by family income
Average after grants and scholarships for Washington residents receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard, latest reported year
Sticker price, line by line
| Per year, living on campus | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $9,417 | $27,526 |
| Housing & meals | $16,314 | $16,314 |
| Books & supplies | $900 | $900 |
| Personal & travel | $4,032 | $4,032 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$1,847 | −$1,847 |
| Total cost of attendance | $28,816 | $46,925 |
Cost items: IPEDS 2023-24, on-campus budget. Total: College Scorecard, which averages students living on and off campus; the adjustment row reconciles the two. Out-of-state total = in-state total with out-of-state tuition.
Debt after graduation
College Scorecard; Urban Institute Education Data Portal
Who gets aid
College Scorecard
CWU net price compared with other Washington colleges
CWU has the 37th-lowest average net price of 50 Washington colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Avg. net price | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Eastern Washington University | $13,886 | 43% | $57,897 |
| 34 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | $14,091 | 85% | $78,466 |
| 35 | Heritage University | $14,598 | 54% | $49,416 |
| 36 | Washington State University | $14,971 | 61% | $68,905 |
| 37 | Central Washington University | $18,476 | 54% | $61,580 |
| 38 | Pacific Lutheran University | $19,589 | 69% | $66,990 |
| 39 | Western Washington University | $21,193 | 65% | $62,569 |
| 40 | Northwest University | $22,288 | 71% | $54,914 |
| 41 | Faith International University | $22,662 | 25% | $51,006 |
College Scorecard, latest year. Average for all aided students; your price depends on income. All Washington colleges →
Why CWU costs more or less than similar schools
| School | Acceptance | You'd pay | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs | Price gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Washington University | 91% | $18,476 | 54% | $61,580 | This school |
| Eastern Washington University | 91% | $13,886 | 43% | $57,897 | |
| University of Washington-Bothell Campus | 91% | $12,319 | 65% | $78,466 | |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | 83% | $10,163 | 63% | $78,466 | |
| Western Washington University | 93% | $21,193 | 65% | $62,569 |
College Scorecard, latest reported year. “You'd pay” follows your residency and income choices above.
Why the price is different
Central Washington University would cost you $4,590 more per year than Eastern Washington University, on average.
- Higher sticker price at Central Washington University, mostly from more Eastern Washington University students living at home, which lowers its average (+$1,806).
- Eastern Washington University gives aided families $252 more in grants, on average.
| Per year, Washington resident | CWU | EWU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $9,417 | $8,586 | +$831 |
| Books & supplies | $900 | $798 | +$102 |
| Housing & meals | $16,314 | $14,880 | +$1,434 |
| Personal & travel | $4,032 | $3,867 | +$165 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$1,847 | −$3,653 | +$1,806 |
| Sticker price | $28,816 | $24,478 | +$4,338 |
| Average grants | −$10,340 | −$10,592 | +$252 |
| You pay | $18,476 | $13,886 | +$4,590 |
“+” means CWU costs more; “−” means it costs less. Grants are the sticker price minus the net price. Cost items: IPEDS, on-campus budget. Sticker and net price: College Scorecard, latest reported year; the adjustment reconciles the two. Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote.
CWU cost questions
How much is tuition at CWU?
Tuition and fees are $9,417 a year for Washington residents and $27,526 for out-of-state students.
What is the total cost of attending CWU?
The total cost of attendance, including housing, meals, books and personal costs, is $28,816 a year for Washington residents living on campus and about $46,925 for out-of-state students.
What do families actually pay at CWU?
After grants and scholarships, students receiving federal aid pay $18,476 a year on average. Families earning $0–30k pay $11,846; $48–75k pay $16,022; $110k+ pay $26,719. These figures are for Washington residents.
How much debt do CWU graduates have?
The median federal loan debt at graduation is $13,000, and 5.2% of borrowers defaulted within three years of entering repayment (2017 cohort).
Is CWU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS; Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-By). Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote; confirm with the school's net price calculator. Back to Central Washington University overview