Central Washington University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Central Washington University is a public university with an acceptance rate of 64%. Located in Ellensburg, Washington, a small historic city just east of the Cascade Mountains, CWU's location is ideal for students who enjoy outdoor activities. The university also has six off-site centers located throughout Washington State. Students can choose from over 135 majors and numerous pre-professional programs. Business and education majors are both popular among undergraduates. On the athletic front, the CWU Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Considering applying to Central Washington University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Central Washington University had an acceptance rate of 64%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 64 students were admitted, making CWU's admissions process somewhat competitive.

Central Washington University requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 86% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Central Washington University's admitted students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to CWU scored between 470 and 570, while 25% scored below 470 and 25% scored above 570. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 460 and 560, while 25% scored below 460 and 25% scored above 560. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1130 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Central Washington University.

Central Washington University does not require the SAT writing section. Note that CWU does not superscore SAT results; your highest composite SAT score will be considered.

Central Washington University requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 22% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Central Washington University's admitted students fall within the bottom 33% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to CWU received a composite ACT score between 17 ad 23, while 25% scored above 23 and 25% scored below 17.

Central Washington University does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. The optional ACT writing section is not required by CWU.

In 2018, the average high school GPA of Central Washington University's incoming freshmen class was 3.06, and over 43% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.0 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Central Washington University have primarily B grades.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Central Washington University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Central Washington University, which accepts over half of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions pool. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average range, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, CWU also uses a holistic admission approach that considers academic achievement in rigorous coursework. Potential applicants should have a minimum of four years of English and math, two years of science and foreign language, three years of social science, and one year of arts (visual, fine, or performing).

Applicants who have completed the required coursework and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are not required to complete a personal statement or essay to gain admission. Students with a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 2.9 will be considered through a comprehensive review process which includes GPA, test scores, grade trends, and course rigor. A personal statement may also be required. Applicants with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 as well as those who do not meet the required course requirements will be considered through the comprehensive review process including the required personal statement.

In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. Most have high school GPAs of B- or better, SAT (ERW+M) scores in the 900 to 1300 range, and composite ACT scores in the 16 to 27 range.

• University of Washington - Seattle
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All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Central Washington University Undergraduate Admissions Office.