Ellensburg, WA · Public

Central Washington University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Central Washington University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$28,816
Net Price$18,476
Median Earnings$61,580
Graduation Rate53.6%
Median Debt$13,000
Admission Rate90.6%
Student Count7,833
SAT AverageN/A

Central Washington University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $18,476
Money available $0
Still needed per year $18,476
Monthly gap $1,540

Four-year projection: about $73,904 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $13,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$61,580Total cost$28,816Net price$18,476Median debt$13,000

Value Score Comparison

Central Washington Univ...59.6Dataset avg54.3WA avg56.5
Median earnings10% better than dataset average
$61,580
Total annual cost33% better than dataset average
$28,816
Average net price14% better than dataset average
$18,476
Graduation rate3.2 percentage points weaker than dataset average
53.6%
Median debt20% better than dataset average
$13,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

WA Average

Value Score: 56.5

Net Price: $24,545

Earnings: $62,325

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $18,476, compared with reported total cost of $28,816.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $61,580 and the graduation rate is 53.6%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $13,000, while the loan share is 31.3%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 90.6% and Pell Grant share is 28.3%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationEllensburg, WA
Admission Rate90.6%
In-State Tuition$9,417
Out-of-State Tuition$27,526
Total Cost$28,816
Net Price$18,476
Median Earnings$61,580
Graduation Rate53.6%
Median Debt$13,000
Pell Grant Share28.3%
Loan Share31.3%
Average Faculty Salary$10,124
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 24.6 + graduation 13.4 + net price 8.8 + total cost 6.4 + debt 6.3 = 59.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings24.6$61,580 · max 40 pts
Graduation13.453.6% · max 25 pts
Net Price8.8$18,476 · max 15 pts
Total Cost6.4$28,816 · max 10 pts
Debt6.3$13,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.