Central Washington University vs. Cornish College of the Arts

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA with Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Washington University is larger than Cornish College of the Arts based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Cornish College of the Arts is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornish College of the Arts is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Cornish College of the Arts 6:1.

Central Washington University vs. Cornish College of the Arts Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington University or Cornish College of the Arts? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Washington University than Cornish College of the Arts ($19,898 vs. $41,758).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornish College of the Arts are 2.7% lower than at Central Washington University ($16,030 vs. $16,480).
• Cornish College of the Arts is 342.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Washington University (about $32,267 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $9,417.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.4% higher at Cornish College of the Arts than at Central Washington University (about $14,158 more per year; $41,684.00 vs. $27,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornish College of the Arts than at Central Washington University (100% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornish College of the Arts students is 110% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($18,515 vs. $8,816).

Central Washington University vs. Cornish College of the Arts Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Washington University or Cornish College of the Arts? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cornish College of the Arts and Central Washington University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 930/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Washington University - Test-free; Cornish College of the Arts - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
• Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (90.6%) than Cornish College of the Arts (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 19.3% at Cornish College of the Arts.

Central Washington University vs. Cornish College of the Arts Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Washington University and Cornish College of the Arts? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Central Washington University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Cornish College of the Arts's (45%).
• Graduates from Central Washington University earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Cornish College of the Arts graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $6,263 lower median loan debt than Cornish College of the Arts graduates ($20,737 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornish College of the Arts graduates ($214 vs. $279).
• More Cornish College of the Arts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 60%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.