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#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

Central Washington University Admission Requirements

Ellensburg, Washington

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Your chances of getting into Central Washington University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

93.5%
Admission Difficulty for Central Washington University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Central Washington University is 93.5%.  Its admission rate is the 18th lowest in Washington.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Central Washington University and can you get accepted?

Central Washington University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,992 out of the 6,409 who applied were admitted.

Central Washington University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.08. 24% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Central Washington University?

93% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Central Washington University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.08 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1040 on the SAT
  • Score 20 on the ACT

Central Washington University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.08

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Central Washington University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Central Washington University are to have around a 3.08 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.08 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Central Washington University accepts 93% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Central Washington University is 3.08 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #18 in Washington for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Central Washington University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.1 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Central Washington University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 1.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 11.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 14.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 16.0% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 17.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 28.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 11.0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 1.0% Reach
less than 1.00 1.0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Central Washington University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by Central Washington University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

930-1150

Applicants Submitting SAT 

82%
SAT Scores for Central Washington University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 470
Math 25th Percentile 460
Composite 25th Percentile 930
SAT Scores for Central Washington University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 580
Math 75th Percentile 570
Composite 75th Percentile 1150
Average SAT Score 1040

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Central Washington University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Central Washington University is 1040 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 930-1150. Students who get into Central Washington University score in the top 73 percent of all SAT test takers..  Central Washington University ranks #17 in the state of Washington for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1040 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Central Washington University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 930 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 930, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 820, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Central Washington University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1040 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1040, you have around a 93% chance of being admitted. A 1150 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

Central Washington University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1150 and Above Good >96%
1040 to 1150 Avg + 93%-96%
930 to 1040 Avg - 87%-93%
820 to 930 Reach 79%-87%
Less than 820 Low <79%
Calculate My Chances 

Central Washington University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-24 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

21%
ACT Scores for Central Washington University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 15
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for Central Washington University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 23
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 24
Average ACT Score 20

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Central Washington University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Central Washington University is 20, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 24.  The school ranks #16 in Washington for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 20. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

21 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Central Washington University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Central Washington University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Central Washington University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 20 score has around 93% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 97% with a 24 ACT score.

Central Washington University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
24 and Above Good >97%
20 to 24 Avg + 93%-97%
17 to 20 Avg - 88%-93%
14 to 17 Reach 82%-88%
Less than 14 Low <82%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Central Washington University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,640 2,724 6,409
Accepted 3,410 2,541 5,992
Acceptance Rate 94% 93% 93%
Enrolled 717 691 1,410
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 27% 24%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Mar 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

77

Applicants have 77 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Mar 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Central Washington University is $60.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Central Washington University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Central Washington University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Central Washington University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Central Washington University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.08 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1040 and ACT of 20 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Central Washington University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234827 IPEDS survey data for Central Washington University.

Last updated February 24, 2024