At $14,715/yr net price, Central Washington University graduates earn $61,580/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $27,580/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,715 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $58,860 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $61,580/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$27,580/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,978/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,430/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,182/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,886/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,366/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $72,482 | |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $71,168 | $24,120 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $70,456 | |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $65,486 | $25,333 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $61,020 | $32,338 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $56,979 | $22,190 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $55,151 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $52,941 | $19,435 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master | $50,606 | $23,950 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $47,260 | $25,891 |
The Risk Factor
49.9% of students at Central Washington University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Central Washington University gives you a solid financial return for a public school, with median earnings well above what you'd borrow to get there. Your median debt sits below one year of those post-graduation earnings, which is the ratio you want to see. The problem is finishing: half of students don't graduate in the expected window, and roughly a third of first-year students don't come back for year two. That gap is your biggest risk here, because debt without a degree is the worst outcome.
The technical and applied programs are where CWU pays off. Electrical engineering technologies and construction management both clear $71,000, and construction management does it even carrying about $24,000 in debt. Allied health and quality control programs land in the mid-to-high $60,000s. These are hands-on fields tied to Washington's construction, manufacturing, and energy employers, and the earnings reflect real regional demand. If you're headed into one of these, the math works clearly in your favor.
The catch is that these are the top earners, not the average. The school-wide median of $61,580 is lower, so a general or non-technical major will earn less while paying the same tuition. Pick your major with the paycheck in mind.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay under $8,000 a year. over $110,000, you pay nearly triple that. For a lower-income family pointed at construction management or engineering technology, CWU is a strong bet. If you're a higher-income family paying the top tier and planning an undecided or low-earning path, the return gets thin fast. Come here with a technical major and a plan to actually finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Washington University worth the cost?
Central Washington University offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $14,715 annually and moderate debt levels around $19,500. However, the 50% graduation rate and $61,580 median earnings suggest mixed outcomes depending on your program choice.
What are the best paying majors at Central Washington University?
Electrical Engineering Technologies ($72,482) and Construction Management ($71,168) offer the strongest earning potential at Central Washington University. Allied Health programs also perform well at $70,456, while general education fields lag behind at around $61,020.
How much student debt do Central Washington University graduates have?
Central Washington University graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. The relatively low cost of attendance helps keep borrowing reasonable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Central Washington University?
Only 50% of students graduate from Central Washington University, which is below the national average. This completion rate poses a significant risk since non-graduates still carry debt without the degree needed for higher earnings.