Colorado State vs. Central Washington University

Colorado State University Fort Collins and Central Washington University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Central Washington University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colorado State (88.5% admitted vs 90.6%). Typical SAT 1190 vs 1040.
  • Cheaper after aid: Central Washington University. Average net price is $19,898 vs $21,011 at Colorado State.
  • Graduation: Colorado State 64% vs Central Washington University 56%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Colorado State $51,800 vs Central Washington University $47,800 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Colorado State University Fort Collins Central Washington University
Acceptance rate
Colorado State more selective
Colorado State88.5%
Central Washington University90.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colorado State higher
Colorado State1080-1290
Central Washington University930-1150
Average net price
Central Washington University $1,113 less
Colorado State$21,011
Central Washington University$19,898
In-state tuition
Central Washington University $3,956 less
Colorado State$13,373
Central Washington University$9,417
Out-of-state tuition
Central Washington University $7,257 less
Colorado State$34,783
Central Washington University$27,526
Graduation rate
Colorado State +8 pts
Colorado State64%
Central Washington University56%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colorado State +$4,000
Colorado State$51,800
Central Washington University$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Colorado State and Central Washington University with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Colorado State Check my chances at Central Washington University
  • Applied
  • Colorado State 38,465
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • Admitted
  • Colorado State 34,057
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • Acceptance rate
  • Colorado State 88.5%
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Colorado State 16.1%
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Colorado State 1190
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • Typical ACT score
  • Colorado State 26
  • Central Washington University 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • Colorado State 3.68
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • Typical high school grades
  • Colorado State A-
  • Central Washington University B
  • Admissions standards
  • Colorado State Challenging
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Colorado State
  • Central Washington University
  • SAT range
  • Colorado State 1080-1290
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • ACT range
  • Colorado State 23-29
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Colorado State Test optional
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Colorado State Jul 1, 2027
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Colorado State $13,373
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Colorado State $34,783
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • Room & board
  • Colorado State $16,817
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • Average net price
  • Colorado State $21,011
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • Average grant aid
  • Colorado State $10,160
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Colorado State 69%
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • Graduation rate
  • Colorado State 64%
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Colorado State $51,800
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Colorado State 69%
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Colorado State $21,004
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • Median loan payment
  • Colorado State $217
  • Central Washington University $214
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Colorado State 17:1
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • Popular majors
  • Colorado State
    • Business (15%)
    • Work and Family Studies (10%)
    • Biology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • Location
  • Colorado State Fort Collins, CO
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • Setting
  • Colorado State Midsize City
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Colorado State 34,096
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • Type
  • Colorado State Public 4 Year
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Colorado State #354
  • Central Washington University #621

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 10,811 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Central Washington University is in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting).
  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Central Washington University 15:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 2% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,480 vs. $16,817).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Colorado State than at Central Washington University (about $7,257 more per year; $34,783 vs. $27,526).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at Colorado State University Fort Collins (85% vs. 69%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 15.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($10,160 vs. $8,816).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Colorado State than at Central Washington University (26 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Colorado State, test-free at Central Washington University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colorado State average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.6 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 20% at Central Washington University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have a $267 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($20,737 vs. $21,004).
  • Among borrowers, Central Washington University graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($214 vs. $217).
  • More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation (69% vs. 60%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Central Washington University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges