CWU or Central Washington University is a publicly aided University of Ellensburg in Washington, United States. The university is located 110 miles east of Seattle.

Some facts regarding CWU are:

• In 1891, the Washington State Normal School in Ellensburg was opened and its purpose was to educate future elementary and junior high teachers.

• In 1891, the first building of the college was officially constructed in the name of the first principal Benjamin Franklin Barge. The Barge Hall, in the year 1976, got added to the elite list of places in the National Register of Historic Places.

• In 1937, the school was transformed to a college named as the Central Washington College of Education then a State College in 1961 and finally a University in 1977.

• Every year around 2500 students graduate from Central Washington University and enrolment numbers are approximately around 10,700.

• CWU has 8 different campus locations situated in different parts of the state.

• Estimated tuition costs of studying at Central Washington University is about $7245 for students residing in the city while on-campus students with room and board would require around $9000.

• CWU offers more than 150 major specialisations and has an average class size of 25 while the student-faculty ratio is 21:1.

• The CWU campus has 19 residence halls and 4 apartment complexes while living and learning and theme communities’ account for 12.

• Student life at CWU is fun-filled with activities and boasts of more than 125 clubs, organisations and associations and 11 varsity athletic teams.

• Almost 30% or even more students of CWU take part in intramural sports each year.

• CWU is known to offer services to the maximum number of students online as compared to any other universities in the state.

• CWU offers undergraduate science students opportunity to work on research projects under the Science Honors Research Program and which has helped many students achieve successful scientific careers later in their lives.

• Numerous community colleges such as Edmonds, Des Moines, Everett, Kent, Yakima etc. are co-located with CWU. This means than students have the benefit of completing their baccalaureate without leaving their communities and even admitted to CWU though the new dual admission program.

• In 2006, CWU launched its Student Union and Recreation Center, a $58 million project which is now home to various facilities like a fully equipped gymnasium, full-sized rock climbing wall, and renting facilities for outdoor activities like rafting, ice axes, snow shoes and much more.

• Notable alumni of CWU include USMC General James N. Mattis, Commander of the US Central Command and belonging to class of 1972; Douglas B. Wood, President of Tommy Bahama Group Inc.; Ray Conner CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes; W.HudsonKensel, historian of American West; Actor Craig T. Nelson, star of sitcom Coach; and these are just a few amongst many achievers.

The Central Washington University ensures that students have a curriculum that helps to develop their potential through strong degree programs, specialisations, and practical application of skills and thereby create more opportunities for research in their respective fields. Many graduate programs even extend partnerships to students that can aid them monetarily through scholarship in important areas of research.