Central Washington University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Central Washington University (CWU) was $7,021 a year for in-state students and $25,075 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until after graduation.

Central Washington University meets 58.89% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Central Washington University full-time are awarded $11,170 a year in financial aid, on average.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $22,088 of debt.

Central Washington University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Central Washington University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $7,021 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public insitutions often offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a school where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Washington colleges

Is Central Washington University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Central Washington University is the same for each student.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or Central Washington University-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Central Washington University:

•Central Washington University-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Central Washington University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Central Washington University.

Room and Board Costs at Central Washington University

Room and board at Central Washington University is $16,314 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Central Washington University?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. At Central Washington University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city is often pricey, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Central Washington University campus is located in a town in Washington, not far from Seattle.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to take into account personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Central Washington University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Central Washington University.

How Much Does Central Washington University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Central Washington University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$7,021
Out-of-State Tuition	$25,075
Room and Board	$16,314
Other expenses	$1,752

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Central Washington University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students

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Central Washington University Financial Aid

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The majority of Central Washington University undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 5,184 of the 8,743 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Central Washington University meets 58.89% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,170 a year. Around 62.9% of Central Washington University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Central Washington University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $22,088 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$20,609
Private Loans	$22,432

Most Common Loans for Central Washington University Students
Federal Loans	62.3%
Private loans	6%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Central Washington University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Central Washington University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Central Washington University awarded 4,340 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $42.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.04 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Central Washington University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Central Washington University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Central Washington University was $11,170 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Central Washington University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$4,065
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-1,079
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$33,289

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Central Washington University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Central Washington University's net cost calculator on their website.

Central Washington University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Central Washington University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Central Washington University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Central Washington University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Central Washington University (CWU) has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - International Students - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Central Washington University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Central Washington University's endowment was valued at $7.3 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $9,387 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Central Washington University

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