USC Aiken vs. Central Washington University

Should I go to University of South Carolina Aiken or Central Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if USC Aiken 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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University of South Carolina Aiken vs. Central Washington University comparison
University of South Carolina Aiken Central Washington University College 3 College 4
Central Washington University
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Overview

USC Aiken Central Washington University
Location Aiken, SC Ellensburg, WA
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 3,840 9,257
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #888 #610
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usca.edu cwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

USC Aiken Central Washington University
Tuition (In State) $10,398 $6,816
Tuition (Out of State) $20,856 $23,881
Room & Board $8,376 $13,645
Avg Net Price $11,872 $15,864
Avg Grant Aid $9,891 $9,294
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 73%

Admission

USC Aiken Central Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,453 6,409
Admitted 1,855 5,992
Acceptance Rate 75.6% 93.5%
Enrolled % 29.8% 23.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.19 3.08
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 17/24
SAT Range 950/1180 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 Aug 1, 2024 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

USC Aiken Central Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Social Sciences (14%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)

Outcomes

USC Aiken Central Washington University
Graduation Rate 41% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,600 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $20,737
Median Loan Payment $268 $214

Diversity

USC Aiken Central Washington University
% Men 36% 47%
% Women 64% 53%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 59%
% Black 27% 4%
% Hispanic 4% 14%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 7%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 9%

Students

USC Aiken Central Washington University
% In-State 87% 95%
% Out-of-State 11% 5%

Campus

USC Aiken 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

  • Central Washington University is larger than than USC Aiken based on total student enrollment (9,257 students vs. 3,840 students)

USC Aiken vs. Central Washington University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC Aiken or Central Washington University?

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is 52.6% more expensive to attend than Central Washington University for in-state tuition ($10,398.00 vs. $6,816.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.5% higher at Central Washington University than University of South Carolina Aiken ($23,881.00 vs. $20,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Central Washington University ($11,872 vs. $15,864)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 62.9% lower than costs at Central Washington University ($8,376 vs. $13,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Central Washington University (100% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Aiken students is 6.4% larger than aid received Central Washington University ($9,891 vs. $9,294)

USC Aiken vs. Central Washington University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC Aiken 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 USC Aiken .

  • The average SAT score at Central Washington University (978) is 2 points higher than at USC Aiken (976)
  • Incoming USC Aiken students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at Central Washington University (21)
  • Accepted freshman USC Aiken students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at Central Washington University (3.08)
  • Central Washington University has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than USC Aiken (75.6%)

USC Aiken vs. Central Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USC Aiken 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 USC Aiken.

  • The graduation rate at Central Washington University is higher than University of South Carolina Aiken (56% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Central Washington University earn on average $8,200 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $39,600)
  • Central Washington University students graduate with a $5,263 lower median federal student loan debt than USC Aiken graduates. ($20,737 vs. $26,000)
  • Central Washington University graduates are paying $54 less per month on federal student loans than USC Aiken graduates. ($214 vs. $268)
  • More Central Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC Aiken students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/