EWU vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA with Washington State University in Pullman, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington State University is larger than EWU based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 10,492 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Washington University is located in Cheney, WA (Town Fringe setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Eastern Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Washington University 18:1; Washington State University 15:1.

EWU vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EWU or Washington State? 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 Eastern Washington University than Washington State ($14,767 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 12.5% lower than at Eastern Washington University ($13,622 vs. $15,574).
• Washington State University is 56% more expensive for in-state tuition than EWU (about $4,805 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $8,586.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.4% higher at Washington State than at Eastern Washington University (about $3,991 more per year; $29,950.00 vs. $25,959.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Washington University than at Washington State University (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 8.8% larger than aid received by Eastern Washington University students ($10,886 vs. $10,001).

EWU vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EWU or Washington State? 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 Washington State and EWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington State University (1120) is 130 points higher than at EWU (990).
• Incoming Washington State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at EWU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 880/1090; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Washington University 16/23; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EWU - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Washington State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: EWU Sep 10, 2026; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at EWU (3.29).
• EWU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than Washington State (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at EWU vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

EWU vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EWU and Washington State? 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).

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Eastern Washington University's (46%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than EWU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $389 lower median loan debt than EWU graduates ($20,429 vs. $20,818).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EWU graduates ($211 vs. $215).
• More Washington State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EWU students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.