Central Washington University Rankings 2025

Central Washington University (CWU) stands as a distinguished public institution recognized for its academic excellence, affordability, and commitment to student success. According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings, CWU holds prominent positions across multiple categories, such as #35 in Regional Universities West and #66 in Top Performers on Social Mobility

Central Washington University’s value-driven education is further validated by Money magazine, which highlights its 63% graduation rate and median student debt of $19,500, reflecting its balance of quality and affordability. 

Beyond academics, CWU earns acclaim for sustainability (AASHE STARS Silver rating) and diversity, receiving the HEED Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity for seven of the past eight years. These accolades position CWU as a leader in accessible and impactful higher education.

Ranking is just one parameter in choosing a university. Discover how Central Washington University can support your academic goals and career growth. Book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’s experts to explore programs, opportunities, and pathways tailored to you.

Central Washington University World Rankings 2024-25

Central Washington University has consistently performed in regional and program-specific rankings for master’s and bachelor’s, reflecting its strengths in career readiness and specialized fields. 

The U.S. News & World Report ranked CWU #35 in the Regional Universities West category for 2025, maintaining its position in the top 31% of 118 institutions.

While its overall rankings have remained relatively stable, CWU has gained immense recognition for its diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as its status as a Military-Friendly School, ranking #21 in the best colleges for veterans.

Here’s how Central Washington University’s rankings have changed over the years:

Here’s a graphical representation of Central Washington University’s rankings:

Central Washington University has shown significant improvement in the rankings by U.S. News & World Report, moving from 42nd place in 2022 to 35th in 2025. This consistent upward trajectory highlights the institution's growing reputation and enhanced academic standing. 

The rankings reflect improvements in various areas, including faculty quality, student satisfaction, and research output. CWU has consistently ranked #18 in the Top Public Schools-Regional Universities (West) category. 

After exploring the 2025 rankings of CWU, let’s check out its subject-wise performance.

Subject-Wise Ranking of Central Washington University

Subject-specific rankings, such as those for engineering or business, can help you determine the reputation of a top university's ranking in your field of study. Rankings from sources like U.S. News offer insight into the performance of individual programs at a given university.

Below is a breakdown of subject-specific Central Washington University rankings for different agencies:

World Report Rankings

Central Washington University’s rankings are not available for fields such as medicine. However, its business and management programs perform relatively well, ranking at #254, compared to Master’s in Economics, which is ranked at #898. 

In terms of social mobility, CWU ranks #66, indicating progress in helping students from diverse backgrounds achieve success.

Here are the subject-wise Central Washington University rankings:

Note: These rankings are displayed based on the presence of scientists and other criteria, and not based on whether the institution has a dedicated faculty for that subject.

After reviewing Central Washington University's ranking for different subjects, let’s explore how it performs in other reputable rankings. 

Miscellaneous Ranking

Niche also ranks Central Washington University as the best college for Accounting and Finance in America at #273 of 821.  Additionally, Forbes ranks CWU as one of the top colleges, ranking at #383. CWU’s consistent placement in national and regional rankings reinforces its role in social mobility and affordability, with high graduate earnings.

Here are the other Central Washington University rankings:

Note: The Webometrics ranking is based on a composite indicator that considers both the volume and impact of a university's web publications.

The university's high ranking on Social Mobility, #66, reflects its commitment to providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. Central Washington University aims to shape a well-rounded educational experience by prioritizing access, affordability, and support for underrepresented groups.

With a clear understanding of CWU’s rankings, let’s take a closer look at how the university is performing beyond academics.

Central Washington University: Excellence and Achievements

CWU's dual designation and its status as one of only 33 institutions nationwide to hold this rare honor. With specialized program rankings like #273 in Best College for Accounting & Finance and consistent recognition for diversity through 7 HEED Awards, CWU has established itself as a well-rounded institution.

Below are the academic achievements and recognition of Central Washington University.

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

In 2025, CWU earned rare dual designations as both a Research College and University (RCU) and an Opportunity College and University (OCU), recognizing CWU’s annual research expenditures exceeding $2.5 million and its commitment to student access and post-graduation success. 

This recognition underscores CWU’s role as a hub for innovation and equity in higher education. Let’s take a look at some of the notable recognitions.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Central Washington University (CWU) is actively engaging with the Yakima Valley community through initiatives that aim to enhance leadership, educational access, and instill interest in STEM fields.  

In March 2025, CWU participated in a STEM Night at Valley View Elementary School, where students from the CWU Chemistry Club led interactive activities such as making flubber and exploring magnets, providing K–12 students with hands-on experiences in science.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Central Washington University (CWU) has positioned itself as a center for cultural vibrancy, where it offers year-round support systems such as gender-inclusive housing in Moore Hall, where 43% of residents identified as LGBTQ+ in 2024. This initiative exemplifies the university’s dedication to instilling a welcoming environment for all students.

CWU’s cultural initiatives have earned national accolades, including 7 HEED Awards for diversity (2016–2024). 

Let us explore some of CWU’s standout cultural and creative contributions in the table below:

Now that you’ve explored Central Washington University’s achievements and contributions to society, let’s take a look at how its acceptance rate varies for different subjects.

Central Washington University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

Central Washington University (CWU) follows a holistic admissions process that emphasizes institutional standards rather than departmental quotas. The overall acceptance rate in CWU is 88%. Transfer students are guaranteed admission if they have at least 40 transferable credits. Also, graduate program admission requirements for studying in the USA, specifically at CWU, are a minimum GPA of 3.0.

The US News report, however, lists Central Washington University’s acceptance rate in its 2025 Best Colleges rankings as 90%. Let’s take a look at the subject wise ranking and acceptance rate.

Note: CWU does not provide program-specific acceptance rates.

Now, let’s explore the ranking methodologies used to determine these rankings.

Ranking Methodologies

In recent years, U.S. News & World Report rankings have been regarded as benchmarks for evaluating university performance. It focuses on aspects such as graduation outcomes and financial aspects of studying to measure the performance of universities.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

This indicator considers factors such as first-year retention rates, graduation rates, and student-faculty ratio. Additionally, metrics like borrower debt and financial resources assess how effectively universities support low-income students. Below are the criteria used in the U.S. News and World Report Rankings.

The above ranking reflects how well a university is positioned to offer a quality education system in the USA, as well as the outcomes it achieves for students, using indicators such as employability and industry applications.