Central Washington University vs. CBC

Central Washington University and Columbia Basin College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Central Washington University
Columbia Basin College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: CBC. Average net price is $10,656 vs $19,898 at Central Washington University.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central Washington University $47,800 vs CBC $38,200 (median).
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Key differences

Central Washington University Columbia Basin College
Acceptance rate
Central Washington University more selective
Central Washington University90.6%
CBC-
SAT range (middle 50%)
Central Washington University higher
Central Washington University930-1150
CBC-
Average net price
CBC $9,242 less
Central Washington University$19,898
CBC$10,656
In-state tuition
CBC $2,862 less
Central Washington University$9,417
CBC$6,555
Out-of-state tuition
CBC $18,858 less
Central Washington University$27,526
CBC$8,668
Graduation rate
Central Washington University +56 pts
Central Washington University56%
CBC-
Median earnings (10 years)
Central Washington University +$9,600
Central Washington University$47,800
CBC$38,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • CBC -
  • Admitted
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • CBC -
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • CBC Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • CBC Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • CBC
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central Washington University 20
  • CBC
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • CBC -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central Washington University B
  • CBC -
  • Admissions standards
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • CBC Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Central Washington University
  • CBC
  • SAT range
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • CBC
  • ACT range
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • CBC
  • Submit test scores
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • CBC Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • CBC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • CBC $6,555
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • CBC $8,668
  • Room & board
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • CBC $11,222
  • Average net price
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • CBC $10,656
  • Average grant aid
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • CBC $7,367
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • CBC 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • CBC -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • CBC $38,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • CBC 48%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • CBC $10,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Central Washington University $214
  • CBC $108
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • CBC 20:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • CBC
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (51%)
    • Health Professions (27%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Mechanic and Repair Technologies (4%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (2%)
  • Location
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • CBC Pasco, WA
  • Setting
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • CBC Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • CBC 7,510
  • Type
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • CBC Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central Washington University #621
  • CBC

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA with Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Central Washington University is larger than CBC based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 7,510 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Columbia Basin College is in Pasco, WA (Small City setting).
  • Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Columbia Basin College 20:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 31.9% lower than at Central Washington University ($11,222 vs. $16,480).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 217.6% higher at Central Washington University than at Columbia Basin College (about $18,858 more per year; $27,526 vs. $8,668).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at Columbia Basin College (85% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central Washington University students is 19.7% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($8,816 vs. $7,367).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Central Washington University, open admission at CBC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $10,237 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($10,500 vs. $20,737).
  • Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($108 vs. $214).
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation (60% vs. 48%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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