Central Washington University is a public four-year institution based in Ellensburg, Washington. The campus sits in a town setting. It enrolled 10,811 students in fall 2024, including 10,317 undergraduates and 494 graduate students.
Central Washington University offers certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and master's degrees across 122 programs. Its largest programs by number of graduates are Business Administration and Management, Psychology, General, and Information Technology. It awarded 2,389 degrees and certificates in 2024-25. 9 of its programs can be completed entirely online.
70% of full-time first-year students return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15 to 1.
Mission
In order to build a community of equity and belonging, Central Washington University nurtures culturally sustaining practices that expand access and success to all students. We are committed to fostering high impact practices, sustainability, and authentic community partnerships that are grounded in meaningful relationships.
Key figures
10,811
Students enrolled
70%
First-year retention
2,389
Degrees and certificates awarded, 2024-25
122
Programs and majors
15:1
Student-to-faculty ratio
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Delivery modes
CampusOnlineHybrid
Program levels
CertificateAssociateBachelorMaster
Programs and majors offered 122
Graduate counts are degrees and certificates awarded in each program between July 2024 and June 2025. Largest fields are listed first.
Retention is for students who started in fall 2023 and returned in fall 2024.
First-year retention, full-time students
70%
First-year retention, part-time students
52%
Student-to-faculty ratio
15:1
Degrees and certificates awarded
Awards conferred between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
Bachelor's degrees
2,017
Associate degrees
22
Master's degrees
310
Certificates of 1 to 2 years
21
Postbaccalaureate certificates
2
Post-master's certificates
17
Enrollment
Students, fall 2024
10,811
Undergraduates, fall 2024
10,317
Graduate students, fall 2024
494
Full-time, fall 2024
67%
Students over the full 2024-25 year
24,383
Undergraduates, 2024-25
23,522
Graduate students, 2024-25
861
Full-time, 2024-25
44%
Size category
10,000 to 19,999 students
Student body
Share of all students enrolled during 2024-25. Small groups can round to zero and are not listed.
Women
55%
Men
45%
White
54%
Hispanic or Latino
24%
Black or African American
3%
Asian
6%
Two or more races
9%
American Indian or Alaska Native
1%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
1%
International (U.S. nonresident)
1%
Race or ethnicity unknown
3%
Online and flexible learning
Distance education in 2024-25.
Programs that can be completed fully online
9
Programs with a fully online option
34
Online undergraduate programs
Yes
Online graduate programs
Yes
Students studying fully online
12%
Students taking some online courses
26%
Weekend or evening classes
Yes
Campus and services
Setting
Town
Academic calendar
Quarter
Carnegie classification
Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Research designation
Research Colleges and Universities
Athletic association
NCAA
Athletic conference
Great Northwest Athletic Conference
President
James Wohlpart
Services and opportunities
Study abroad, ROTC, Undergraduate research, Teacher certification, Academic and career counseling, Student employment services, Job placement for graduates, On-campus day care, Accepts AP credit, Credit for life experience
For veterans and service members
Credit for military training, Dedicated veterans contact, Student veteran organization