CWU-Ellensburg vs BYU-Idaho
Central Washington University (CWU) and Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) are two distinct institutions of higher learning that offer unique educational experiences. CWU, a public university located in Ellensburg, Washington, boasts an acceptance rate of 88%, while BYU-Idaho, a private university in Rexburg, Idaho, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 58%. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with CWU excelling in fields like business, education, and nursing, and BYU-Idaho specializing in areas such as engineering, computer science, and performing arts. CWU's student body is more diverse, with a larger international student population, while BYU-Idaho's student body is predominantly composed of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Additionally, CWU has a higher graduation rate of 54% compared to BYU-Idaho's 49%. To help you make an
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![]() Brigham Young University-Idaho |
![]() Central Washington University |
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Overview |
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Location | Rexburg, Idaho | Ellensburg, Washington |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 67.0% | 69.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Mormon | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 96.6% | 88.4% |
Application fees | $35 |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 990 - 1200 | N/A |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 31.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 50.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 9,963 | 10,767 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,621 | 9,523 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,858 | 1,371 |
Yield rate | 50.5% | 14.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $12,880 |
In state:
$22,248
Out of state:
$38,776
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Average net price | $6,327 | $17,645 |
Tuition | $4,416 |
In state:
$6,656
Out of state:
$23,184
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,645
Meal plan:
$7,957
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
45.0%
Average amount $6,132 |
80.0%
Average amount $7,378 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
18.0%
Average amount $5,882 |
41.0%
Average amount $4,834 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $4,811 |
2.0%
Average amount $14,197 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
44,304
Men 43.7% Women 56.3% |
9,566
Men 47.0% Women 53.0% |
Graduate students | N/A |
610
Men 37.4% Women 62.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 6.7% |
International students | 3.4% | 2.7% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 1,162 | 3,755 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Washington California Oregon Hawaii Arkansas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 20:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 49.6% | 53.6% |
Dropout rate | 25.4% | 44.0% |
Transferred out | 18.1% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
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