Colorado State vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to Colorado State University Fort Collins or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Colorado State or Central Washington University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Colorado State University Fort Collins vs. Central Washington University comparison
Colorado State University Fort Collins Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Colorado State University Fort Collins Central Washington University
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Overview

Colorado State Central Washington University
Location Fort Collins, CO Ellensburg, WA
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 33,403 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colostate.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Colorado State Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $10,218 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $30,078 $23,881
Room & Board $13,728 $13,645
Avg Net Price $16,926 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $10,727 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 74% 73%

Admission

Colorado State Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 33,122 6,409
Admitted 30,066 5,992
Acceptance Rate 90.8% 93.5%
Enrolled % 18.5% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.08
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 17/24
SAT Range 1080/1290 930/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2024 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

Colorado State Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (15%)
  • Work and Family Studies (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

Colorado State Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 64% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $51,800 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,004 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $217 $214

Diversity

Colorado State Central Washington University
% Men 45% 47%
% Women 55% 53%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 74% 59%
% Black 2% 4%
% Hispanic 11% 14%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 2% 7%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 9%

Students

Colorado State Central Washington University
% In-State 59% 95%
% Out-of-State 40% 5%

Campus

Colorado State Central Washington University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than than Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (33,403 students vs. 9,257 students)

Colorado State vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Central Washington University?

  • Colorado State University Fort Collins is 49.9% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($10,218.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.9% higher at Colorado State than Central Washington University ($30,078.00 vs. $23,881.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Washington University than Colorado State ($15,864 vs. $16,926)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 0.6% lower than costs at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($13,645 vs. $13,728)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than Central Washington University (74% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 15.4% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($10,727 vs. $9,294)

Colorado State vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or Central Washington University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Central Washington University or Colorado State .

  • The average SAT score at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1145) is 167 points higher than at Central Washington University (978)
  • Incoming Colorado State students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Colorado State (90.8%)

Colorado State vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Colorado State or Central Washington University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Central Washington University and Colorado State.

  • The graduation rate at Colorado State is higher than Central Washington University (64% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn on average $4,000 more per year than Central Washington University graduates after ten years. ($51,800 vs. $47,800)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $267 lower median federal student loan debt than Colorado State graduates. ($20,737 vs. $21,004)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/