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Central Washington University, Washington

Central Washington University

Central Washington University or CWU is an accredited four year educational institution, located in Ellensburg, Washington. The university was founded in 1891. It originally started off as a teacher's college, which is still one of the primary majors today.

The CWU campus is comprised of 350 acres. It offers various degrees and programs through different centers located in Des Moines, Lynnwood, Moses Lake, Pierce County, Wenatchee and Yakima, Washington.

The students, alumni and athletes of CWU are known as the Wildcats and their colors are crimson and black. The sports team of CWU takes part in NCAA Division II and is a member of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Overview of Central Washington University

Central Washington is in a town not particularly near any major cities, in Ellensburg, Washington. The school is classified as a public college. Students at Central Washington earn degrees up to the Master's degree.

Areas of Study

There is a relatively broad range of courses and programs available at the school. The most common major fields study at Central Washington include education and teaching and security and law enforcement.

Central Washington Selectivity

The school does not admit all applicants. The middle range of verbal SAT scores in 2005 was 460 to 570 for students at Central Washington. While math SAT scores among applicants varied, those accepted commonly had scores between 455 and 570.

Faculty

Some professors at the school are awarded tenure, allowing the school to retain good faculty members.

Student Body

Central Washington, in 2005, had 10,190 students (9,373 full-time equivalent).

Student Life

Dorm living is common. Athletic teams at Central Washington belong to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference for major sports.

More complete details are provided below.

Contacting Central Washington

Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501
General Phone: (509) 963-1111
Admissions Phone: (866) 298-4968
Financial Aid Phone: (509) 963-1611
http://www.cwu.edu

Central Washington Programs and Degrees (2005)

Central Washington awarded degrees in these major categories in 2005:

General CategoryDegreesMost Common Majors [see all]
Education And Teaching572elementary school teaching, early childhood education, teacher education, history teaching, physical education teaching, special ed, music teaching, business teaching, ...
Business And Management518business management, accounting, fashion merchandising, actuarial science
Liberal Arts245sociology, social services, interdisciplinary studies, anthropology, English, history, geography, Spanish language, ...
Security And Law Enforcement199criminal justice and safety
Science116biology, geology, chemistry, physics, natural sciences, geological and earth sciences
Therapy And Counseling92psychology, community health services, organizational psychology, school psychology, counseling psychology, experimental psychology
Nutrition And Exercise Therapy88parks and recreation management, exercise science, health and physical education
Engineering Technician75construction engineering tech, industrial safety tech, mechanical engineering tech, electronics tech, engineering technology, industrial tech, computer engineering tech
Family And Social Work72family and consumer science, food and nutrition, human services, foodservice management, public policy analysis
Media66public relations, communication studies, journalism
Office And Administration48office data entry, office management
Transportation46commercial pilot and flight crew, aviation operations
Music27music, music performance, music management, music theory and composition, voice, conducting
Computer Science And Engineering24computer and info science
Design21graphic design
Religion And Philosophy20philosophy, religion
Fine Arts18painting, fine arts, metal and jewelry, sculpture, ceramics
Drama And Performing Arts13acting, theatre design, theatre arts management, drama
Art Studies11art studies
Nursing And Emergency Medicine8EMT paramedic
Conservation And Resource Management7natural resources management
Photography And Commercial Art6photography, drawing
Medicine4gerontology
Mathematics3mathematics

Number of programs and degrees for Central Washington in 2005:

Degree LevelTotal
Awarded
Number of
Programs
Bachelor's degree2,12697
Master's degree17331

Central Washington Student Body

In 2005, Central Washington had a total enrollment of 10,190 students (9,373 full-time equivalent).

Students in the Freshman Class (2005):

GroupPercent
Men47%
Women53%
Full-Time99%
Part-Time1%

More details are available, using 2004 data:

Students By Class (2004):

GroupPercent
Undergraduate91%
Graduate9%

Racial Diversity (2004):
RacePercent
White76%
Black2%
Hispanic5%
Asian5%
American Indian2%
Other Races8%
(Foreign Students)2%

Students by Age (2004):

AgePercent
Under 181%
18-1924%
20-2128%
22-2423%
25-2910%
30-344%
35-393%
40-495%
50-642%
65+0%

Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence (2004):
(From available data sampling)

ResidencePercent
Washington96%
State unknown3%

Central Washington Graduation, Retention, and Transfers

Retention Rates (2004):

GroupReturning From
Previous Year
Full-Time80 %
Part-Time50 %

Central Washington Room and Board (2005)

Central Washington offers campus housing for 3,250 of its 9,373 (full-time) students. Freshmen are required to live on campus.

(Please refer to our profile of Ellensburg, Washington for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Washington Colleges).

The school does not offer students a meal plan.

Central Washington Admissions and Selectivity (2005)

Acceptances:

GroupApplicantsAcceptedPercent
Accepted
EnrolledPercent of
Accepted Enrolled
Total4,6563,55476%1,43540%
Men2,1481,56273%66943%
Women2,5081,99279%76638%

Standardized Test Scores:

Test25th Percentile75th Percetile
SAT Verbal460570
SAT Math455570
ACT Verbal1724
ACT Math1723
ACT Composite1824

Application Requirements:

ItemRequirement
GPArequired
Class Ranknot required
High School Recordrecommended
College Prep Programrequired
Recommendationsrecommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencerecommended
Standardized Tests (SAT and/or ACT)required
Percent of Applicants Submitting SAT89%
Percent of Applicants Submitting ACT27%
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)required
Other Standardized Testsnot required

Admissions Phone Number: (866) 298-4968

Central Washington Faculty

Central Washington has a tenure system for faculty.

Salaries for full-time faculty:

Full-Time Faculty (2004):

Full-Time Faculty LevelContract LengthNumber MenAvg Salary MenNumber WomenAvg Salary Women
Professorcalendar year1*0*
Associate professorcalendar year2*0*
Assistant professorcalendar year1*1*
Lecturercalendar year2*0*
All faculty totalcalendar year6$54,1511*

*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.

Full-Time Faculty (2004):

Full-Time Faculty LevelContract LengthNumber MenAvg Salary MenNumber WomenAvg Salary Women
Professoracademic year93$68,93732$63,423
Associate professoracademic year55$55,08034$52,812
Assistant professoracademic year64$46,11736$44,088
Lectureracademic year24$37,94524$35,269
All faculty totalacademic year236$56,367126$49,673

*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.

Central Washington Athletics

Athletic Conferences (2005):

SportConference
FootballGreat Northwest Athletic Conference
BasketballGreat Northwest Athletic Conference
BaseballGreat Northwest Athletic Conference
TrackGreat Northwest Athletic Conference

Students on Athletic Scholarships (2004):

SportMenWomenTotal
Total11398211
Football60060
Track112839
Basketball101323
Baseball15015
All Other Sports175774

Central Washington Degree Programs (2005)

ART STUDIES
Art/Art Studies, General

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Business Administration and Management, General
Fashion Merchandising

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Computer and Information Sciences, General

CONSERVATION AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Natural Resources Management and Policy

DESIGN
Graphic Design

DRAMA AND PERFORMING ARTS
Acting
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology
Theatre/Theatre Arts Management

EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Art Teacher Education
Biology Teacher Education
Business Teacher Education
Chemistry Teacher Education
Drama and Dance Teacher Education
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
Elementary Education and Teaching
English/Language Arts Teacher Education
Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
Foreign Language Teacher Education
French Language Teacher Education
German Language Teacher Education
Health Teacher Education
History Teacher Education
Mathematics Teacher Education
Music Teacher Education
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Reading Teacher Education
Sales & Marketing Oper/Marketing & Distribution Teacher Education
Social Science Teacher Education
Spanish Language Teacher Education
Special Education and Teaching, General
Teacher Education/Profess Development, Levels & Methods, Other
Teaching English as Second/Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
Trade and Industrial Teacher Education

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
Computer Engineering Technology/Technician
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engr Technology/Technician
Engineering Technology, General
Industrial Safety Technology/Technician
Industrial Technology/Technician
Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician

FAMILY AND SOCIAL WORK
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management
Human Services, General
Public Policy Analysis

FINE ARTS
Ceramic Arts and Ceramics
Fine/Studio Arts, General
Metal and Jewelry Arts
Painting
Sculpture

LIBERAL ARTS
Anthropology
Anthropology, Other
Asian Studies/Civilization
Chinese Language and Literature
Economics, General
English Language and Literature, General
French Language and Literature
Geography
German Language and Literature
History, General
Japanese Language and Literature
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Political Science and Government, General
Russian Language and Literature
Social Sciences, General
Sociology
Spanish Language and Literature

MATHEMATICS
Mathematics, General

MEDIA
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Journalism
Public Relations/Image Management

MEDICINE
Gerontology

MUSIC
Conducting
Music Management and Merchandising
Music Performance, General
Music Theory and Composition
Music, General
Voice and Opera

NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)

NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THERAPY
Health and Physical Education, General
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management

OFFICE AND ADMINISTRATION
Business/Office Automation/Technology/Data Entry
Office Management and Supervision

PHOTOGRAPHY AND COMMERCIAL ART
Drawing
Photography

RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy
Religion/Religious Studies

SCIENCE
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Chemistry, General
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other
Geology/Earth Science, General
Natural Sciences
Physics, General

SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies

THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling
Counseling Psychology
Experimental Psychology
Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Psychology, General
School Psychology

TRANSPORTATION
Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew
Aviation/Airway Management and Operations

Central Washington Highlights

(Details are provided further down on this page.)

What Sets Central Washington Apart:

CategoryTrophy 
Number of degree programs
(vs. all colleges)
Top 2%Central Washington Number of degree programs
Number of students
(vs. all colleges)
Top 7%Central Washington Number of students
% students on athletic fin. aid
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 11%Central Washington % students on athletic fin. aid
% of degrees in office and administration
(for colleges of its size and type)
Top 13%Central Washington % of degrees in office and administration
% of degrees in nutrition and exercise therapy
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 14%Central Washington % of degrees in nutrition and exercise therapy
% of degrees in security and law enforcement
(vs. colleges with similar degree levels)
Top 15%Central Washington % of degrees in security and law enforcement
% of degrees in education and teaching
(vs. all colleges)
Top 15%Central Washington % of degrees in education and teaching
Lowest tuition & fees (in-state)
(vs. colleges with similar degree levels)
Top 18%Central Washington Lowest tuition & fees (in-state)
Dorm rooms per full-time student
(vs. all colleges)
Top 18%Central Washington Dorm rooms per full-time student
% of degrees in business and management
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 20%Central Washington % of degrees in business and management
% of degrees in religion and philosophy
(vs. colleges of similar size)
Top 20%Central Washington % of degrees in religion and philosophy
Explanation of the Highlights categories

Notable:
Accepts some high school credits
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers distance learning
Offers weekend classes
Career counseling
Career placement services
Student employment services
On-campus day care
Remedial classes for students
Offers remedial adult education
Option to study abroad
Offers campus housing
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
Offers campus housing
Tenure system for quality teaching
Has ROTC (army, air force)
Offers athletic scholarships
NCAA athletic conference member

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