University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UDub) vs CWU-Ellensburg

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant energy of a bustling urban campus or surrounded by the serene beauty of a close-knit community. The University of Washington-Seattle Campus and Central Washington University offer distinct experiences, each with its own unique strengths. While UW-Seattle boasts a lower acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a wider range of academic programs, CWU provides a more intimate learning environment, smaller class sizes, and a focus on undergraduate education. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the details of these two esteemed institutions, considering factors such as acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for your transformative educational journey.

	Central Washington University	University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Overview
Location	Ellensburg, Washington	Seattle, Washington
Campus setting	Town: Distant	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	69.0%	93.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	88.4%	53.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $85
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	10,767	48,840
Total number of admissions given out	9,523	26,121
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,371	7,252
Yield rate	14.4%	27.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $22,248 Out of state: $38,776	In state: $30,640 Out of state: $58,470
Average net price	$17,645	$8,701
Tuition	In state: $6,656 Out of state: $23,184	In state: $10,927 Out of state: $38,757
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,645 Meal plan: $7,957	$14,871
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	80.0% Average amount $7,378	41.0% Average amount $15,895
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $4,834	19.0% Average amount $4,460
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $14,197	1.0% Average amount $24,258

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,566 Men 47.0% Women 53.0%	36,201 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	610 Men 37.4% Women 62.6%	16,233 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	6.7%	N/A
International students	2.7%	14.8%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,755	11,123
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Washington California Oregon Hawaii Arkansas	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Social Sciences Health Professions Visual & Performing Arts	Engineering Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	53.6%	83.9%
Dropout rate	44.0%	15.6%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $72,482 Year 3: $86,230 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,538 Year 2: $71,168 Year 3: $82,194 Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,024 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $79,944 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,531 Year 2: $61,020 Year 3: $77,665 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,052 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $69,645 Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,580 Year 2: $56,979 Year 3: $69,564 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $55,151 Year 3: $62,577 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $44,170 Year 3: $61,531 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,008 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $58,391 Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $47,842 Year 2: $50,606 Year 3: $58,240	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $189,764 Year 2: $218,927 Year 3: $206,965 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,990 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $154,987 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $137,584 Year 2: $120,252 Year 3: $152,099 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $133,070 Year 2: $127,652 Year 3: $142,606 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $141,725 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $121,620 Year 2: $124,420 Year 3: $137,488 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $121,083 Year 2: $121,294 Year 3: $131,592 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $94,893 Year 2: $118,349 Year 3: $127,982 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,634 Year 2: $113,228 Year 3: $125,171 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,287 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $121,695

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Washington (UW) and Central Washington University (CWU)?

The University of Washington (UW) is a large, research-intensive public university located in Seattle, a major metropolitan area. It's known for its strong programs in STEM, medicine, and business, and has a highly competitive admissions process. Central Washington University (CWU), located in Ellensburg, is a mid-sized public university with a focus on undergraduate education and professional programs like teaching, aviation, and paramedicine. CWU offers a more personalized learning environment and has a less selective admissions process than UW.
Which university is larger, UW or CWU?

The University of Washington (UW) is significantly larger than Central Washington University (CWU). UW has a much larger student body, faculty, and campus size compared to CWU.
How do the academic reputations of UW and CWU compare?

The University of Washington (UW) has a stronger national and international academic reputation, particularly in research and graduate studies. It consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States. Central Washington University (CWU) has a solid regional reputation, especially for its teacher education, aviation, and paramedicine programs. While CWU may not have the same level of research output as UW, it provides quality undergraduate education and career preparation.
What types of programs are UW and CWU known for?

The University of Washington (UW) is renowned for its programs in computer science, engineering, medicine, public health, business, and law. Central Washington University (CWU) is well-regarded for its teacher education, aviation, paramedicine, music, and theatre arts programs.
How does the cost of attending UW compare to CWU?

Generally, the University of Washington (UW) is more expensive than Central Washington University (CWU), especially for out-of-state students. Tuition, fees, and living expenses tend to be higher at UW due to its location in a major city and its higher demand. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help students manage costs.
What is the campus environment like at UW versus CWU?

The University of Washington (UW) offers a vibrant, urban campus environment in the heart of Seattle. Students have access to a wide range of cultural, social, and professional opportunities. Central Washington University (CWU) provides a more close-knit, campus-centered environment in the smaller city of Ellensburg. CWU emphasizes community engagement and outdoor recreation.
How competitive is the admissions process at UW compared to CWU?

The University of Washington (UW) has a highly competitive admissions process, with a lower acceptance rate than Central Washington University (CWU). UW seeks students with strong academic records, extracurricular involvement, and demonstrated leadership potential. Central Washington University (CWU) has a less selective admissions process, making it more accessible to a wider range of students.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

The University of Washington (UW) boasts a vast array of student organizations, clubs, sports teams, and cultural events, reflecting its large and diverse student body. Central Washington University (CWU) offers a more focused range of extracurricular activities, with a strong emphasis on campus traditions, outdoor recreation, and student government.
Which university is better for students interested in research opportunities?

The University of Washington (UW) is significantly better for students interested in research opportunities. As a major research university, UW offers numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research across a wide range of disciplines. While CWU also offers research opportunities, they are generally more limited in scope and scale compared to UW.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between UW and CWU?

The University of Washington (UW) offers extensive career services and internship opportunities, leveraging its location in a major metropolitan area with strong connections to various industries. Central Washington University (CWU) also provides career services and internship support, with a focus on regional employers and specific career paths aligned with its academic programs.
What are the class sizes like at UW versus CWU?

Generally, class sizes at the University of Washington (UW) can be larger, especially in introductory courses, due to its larger student population. Central Washington University (CWU) typically offers smaller class sizes, allowing for more personalized interaction with professors.
Which university is located in a more urban setting?

The University of Washington (UW) is located in a more urban setting. Its Seattle campus provides easy access to city amenities, cultural attractions, and professional opportunities. Central Washington University (CWU) is located in Ellensburg, a smaller city with a more rural and relaxed atmosphere.

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