Central Washington University vs. Seattle U

Central Washington University and Seattle University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Central Washington University
Seattle University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Seattle U (76.9% admitted vs 90.6%). Typical SAT 1320 vs 1040.
  • Cheaper after aid: Central Washington University. Average net price is $19,898 vs $36,948 at Seattle U.
  • Graduation: Central Washington University 56% vs Seattle U 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central Washington University $47,800 vs Seattle U $60,400 (median).
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Key differences

Central Washington University Seattle University
Acceptance rate
Seattle U more selective
Central Washington University90.6%
Seattle U76.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Seattle U higher
Central Washington University930-1150
Seattle U1200-1430
Average net price
Central Washington University $17,050 less
Central Washington University$19,898
Seattle U$36,948
In-state tuition
Central Washington University $47,304 less
Central Washington University$9,417
Seattle U$56,721
Out-of-state tuition
Central Washington University $29,195 less
Central Washington University$27,526
Seattle U$56,721
Graduation rate
Seattle U +15 pts
Central Washington University56%
Seattle U71%
Median earnings (10 years)
Seattle U +$12,600
Central Washington University$47,800
Seattle U$60,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • Seattle U 8,468
  • Admitted
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • Seattle U 6,514
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • Seattle U 76.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • Seattle U 13.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • Seattle U 1320
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central Washington University 20
  • Seattle U 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • Seattle U 3.62
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central Washington University B
  • Seattle U A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • Seattle U Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Central Washington University
  • Seattle U
  • SAT range
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • Seattle U 1200-1430
  • ACT range
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • Seattle U 23-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • Seattle U Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • Seattle U Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • Seattle U $56,721
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • Seattle U $56,721
  • Room & board
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • Seattle U $15,702
  • Average net price
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • Seattle U $36,948
  • Average grant aid
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • Seattle U $35,351
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • Seattle U 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • Seattle U 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • Seattle U $60,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • Seattle U 75%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • Seattle U $24,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Central Washington University $214
  • Seattle U $253
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • Seattle U 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Seattle U
    • Business (27%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • English and Literature (5%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • Seattle U Seattle, WA
  • Setting
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • Seattle U Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • Seattle U 7,189
  • Type
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • Seattle U Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central Washington University #621
  • Seattle U #119

Comparable Facts

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

Central Washington University is larger than Seattle U based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 7,189 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); Seattle University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
  • Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; Seattle University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle University are 4.7% lower than at Central Washington University ($15,702 vs. $16,480).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 106.1% higher at Seattle U than at Central Washington University (about $29,195 more per year; $56,721 vs. $27,526).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle University than at Central Washington University (100% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle University students is 301% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($35,351 vs. $8,816).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Seattle U than at Central Washington University (26 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Central Washington University, test optional at Seattle U.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027; Seattle U Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Seattle U average a 3.62 high school GPA, 0.54 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 13.6% at Seattle U.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $3,763 lower median loan debt than Seattle U graduates ($20,737 vs. $24,500).
  • Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Seattle U graduates ($214 vs. $253).
  • More Seattle U graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation (75% vs. 60%).

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

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