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    Central Washington University

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    Uni facts

    Ellensburg, USA
    • Type
      Public
    • International students
      450
    • Nationalities
      66
    • Total programs
      223

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    Study abroad at Central Washington University

    Central Washington University (CWU) is a four-year public university located in the friendly city of Ellensburg. The University delivers practical and professional learning experiences so students can excel in a global marketplace.

    Studying at CWU means you’ll have over 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees at your fingertips. The spectrum of programs on offer is vast, but some of the most popular study areas include business, engineering, biology, psychology, and music.

    The University’s 380-acre campus is one of the most picturesque in the Pacific Northwest. As well as impressive educational and recreational facilities, the campus features plenty of green space and outdoor scenery.

    CWU is proudly known as the home of the Wildcats. The 13 athletics teams compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in sports like football, basketball, and volleyball. Don’t worry if you’re not a sports fan, there are another 125 student clubs and organizations to keep you busy.

    Find & apply to programs at Central Washington University

    Find programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

    Program level

    Why study at CWU?

    • Affordability

      CWU is ranked as one of the west’s top 35 affordable schools (Washington Monthly College Guide, 2019)

    • Tailored learning experience

      The University had average class sizes of 25 and a student-staff ratio of 19:1

    • Scholarship opportunities

      The University awards over $55 million annually in student scholarships

    • Celebrating diversity

      CWU has been awarded the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award for the fifth time in six years (INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine, 2019)

    Life as an international student

    You’ll be welcomed with open arms into CWU’s already international student community. The University is buzzing with diversity, and 54 nationalities are represented on campus.

    CWU’s extensive network of support services will help you to feel at home in no time. Staff at the International Office can support you with all manner of practical, academic, and emotional concerns. They provide guidance with everything from visas and passports to housing and employment.

    As well as a series of welcome events and orientation activities, you’ll also be invited on excursions to Washington’s famous tourist attractions. These trips will help you learn more about your new home and American culture more generally.

    On top of all this, you’ll have access to specialist immigration services and a designated prayer area.

    Student reviews for Central Washington University

    Overall rating
    3.96190476 stars
    Based on 21 reviews
    Overall experience
    4.2381 stars
    Accommodation
    3.9048 stars
    Academic
    4.0952 stars
    University facilities
    3.8571 stars
    University social
    3.7143 stars
    • Ngan Nguyen
      Vietnam
      Overall experience 5 stars
      Academic
      5 stars
      University social
      3 stars
      Accommodation
      5 stars
      University facilities
      2 stars
      Central Washington University Accounting
      Tell us about Central Washington University
      Because of Covid-19, my CWU-Des Moines campus is closed, and I have to study online at home and communicate to CWU staffs through emailing. Therefore, It's hard for me to describe my experience about CWU.
    • Christine Felts
      Canada
      Overall experience 5 stars
      Academic
      5 stars
      University social
      5 stars
      Accommodation
      5 stars
      University facilities
      5 stars
      Central Washington University Accounting
      Tell us about Central Washington University
      As a mature student they are very welcoming and try to meet needs different from the youth students
    • Kei Ichimoto
      Japan
      Overall experience 5 stars
      Academic
      4 stars
      University social
      4 stars
      Accommodation
      4 stars
      University facilities
      3 stars
      Central Washington University Marketing Management
      Tell us about Central Washington University
      Classes are substantial. The professor will also respond politely to your questions. As an international student, I am satisfied with the good student support of International Staff.
    • Anjan Pariyar
      United States
      Overall experience 5 stars
      Academic
      5 stars
      University social
      5 stars
      Accommodation
      5 stars
      University facilities
      5 stars
      Central Washington University Cyber Security
      Tell us about Central Washington University
      I am really proud to say I graduated from Central Washington University. I stayed in Kirkland, WA which was great a place to live in. The communities are really great and they are helpful. All the international office team help me a lot about the classes, how to use resources to succeed in my degree. I got a chance to go in Lynwood location campus. Everything so perfect. It is a great University for international Student like me I have made a lot of friends. I really like to study in group which is a best way of transferring knowledge.
    • Qing Gao
      China
      Overall experience 4 stars
      Academic
      4 stars
      University social
      3 stars
      Accommodation
      4 stars
      University facilities
      3 stars
      Central Washington University Communication
      Tell us about Central Washington University
      The university overall is a good place to study in. But due to the COVID, I have not yet had chance to back to campus at this moment. The staff there are mostly nice, but some of them may not be interested in helping students, so they may delay my request and never provide me with updates.

    What Central Washington University says

    • Kimberly Valenti

      Kimberly Valenti

      Central Washington University International Student Recruiter
      Kimberly Valenti says

      CWU is an affordable, safe, and quality institution with multiple campus locations throughout Washington State, with our main campus in the small, friendly town of Ellensburg. We are located at the base of the Cascade Mountains and only 90 km from the city of Seattle. CWU’s commitment to individual attention, student engagement, and real-world experience makes learning exciting and relevant.

      CWU is a great value with scholarships available specifically for international students, both undergraduate and graduate students, in award amounts up to 50% reduction in tuition and fees.

      CWU provides full support and resources for our international students, including advising, immigration services, advocacy, education abroad program management, career services, designated prayer area, and special excursions to Washington attractions.

      Students engage in research with faculty, participate in internships, make a difference in their community, and go on to work with prestigious companies worldwide, including Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Google, Mövenpick, and more.

    How we maximize your chance of getting admitted

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    Fees and funding

    Fee information

    • Undergraduate tuition: US$23,184 per year
    • Graduate tuition: US$23,652 per year

    Funding

    International Student Scholarship Available for Incoming/new undergraduate and graduate international students.

    • Undergraduate: need a GPA of 2.70 and the award amount is up to $10,536 based on academic merit.
    • Graduate: need a GPA of 3.40 and the award amount is up to $11,028 based on academic merit. No separate application is required. Your official, overall, the incoming grade will be automatically assessed for scholarship eligibility.

    Additional scholarships can be stackable on top of the international student scholarships.Graduate assistantships are available and students can get up to full tuition.

    Location

    Central Washington University

    400 E University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926, United States

    Central Washington University's main campus is located in Ellensburg, Washington. Ellensburg is at the heart of Washington State, nestled in the Kittitas Valley.