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Eastern Washington University

#1228 in US ranking Cheney, WA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$24,879
Tuition & fees
$8,886
Avg. aid
$10,610
Receiving aid
91%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
91%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
43%
Median salary
$45,156
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Eastern Washington University?

Eastern Washington University is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it does not mean that every individual degree has a separate professional endorsement.

For students, recognized institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal financial aid and is often considered when another college reviews transfer credit. Neither aid eligibility nor acceptance of a particular course is automatic: students must meet aid rules, and receiving institutions make their own transfer decisions. Programs leading toward regulated professions may also have specialized accreditation or state approval requirements. Applicants considering teaching, health care, counseling, or another licensed field should check the current status and licensing pathway of the exact EWU program they intend to enter.

What are the admission requirements at Eastern Washington University?

First-year applicants generally apply with a high school diploma or recognized equivalent and an academic record that meets EWU's admission requirements. EWU is not an open-admission institution: in the reported first-year cycle, it admitted 5,972 of 6,581 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 91%.

EWU considers secondary-school coursework and GPA. SAT and ACT scores are neither required nor recommended in the reported admissions information; only a small share of enrolled first-year students submitted them. Class rank and recommendations are likewise not generally required. Applicants educated outside the United States may need to document English proficiency, while some majors have additional entry or progression requirements after university admission.

Deadlines and document requirements can differ for first-year, international, returning, and graduate applicants. A student aiming for a selective major should distinguish the deadline for admission to EWU from any later deadline for admission to that program.

What are the application fees and waivers at Eastern Washington University?

EWU's reported undergraduate application fee is $65. It is an application charge, not a tuition payment or a guarantee of admission.

Applicants with financial need should check the fee-waiver instructions in EWU's current application before submitting it; waiver eligibility and the method for requesting one can depend on applicant category. Transfer, international, and graduate applicants should also confirm the fee shown for their own application route, since a published undergraduate figure should not be assumed to apply to every category.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Eastern Washington University?

Army ROTC is available on EWU's campus. It combines university study with military leadership training for students interested in a possible Army officer commission.

Joining an ROTC course, qualifying for an ROTC scholarship, and accepting an eventual service obligation are different decisions. Scholarship and commissioning routes carry eligibility rules that can include academic, medical, physical-fitness, and citizenship requirements. Students should review the terms of the specific Army ROTC route before committing; they should not assume that participation automatically pays tuition or requires commissioning.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Eastern Washington University?

EWU accepts transfer applications and generally considers college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter in fall, winter, spring, or summer, subject to the requirements and schedules of their intended programs.

Applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from colleges attended. EWU must evaluate completed courses before a student can know how they apply to general education, a major, or elective credit. Washington's Direct Transfer Agreement can simplify parts of the general-education pathway for eligible associate-degree holders, but it does not by itself secure a place in a restricted major or replace every program prerequisite.

EWU also reports accepting certain examination and recommended-credit routes, including CLEP, DSST, and ACE recommendations. Acceptance of a credit source is distinct from how many credits count toward a particular degree. Students with substantial prior study should obtain an official evaluation and compare the results with the degree audit, including any EWU residency-credit requirements.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Eastern Washington University?

EWU students can explore international study through the university's education-abroad advising and approved program options. The available format may include a shorter faculty-led experience or a longer period of study through a partner or other approved provider, depending on the year and subject.

Approval matters as much as destination. Before paying a program deposit, a student should confirm how overseas courses will count toward an EWU degree, whether a major requires advance approval, and which costs are billed by EWU versus a program provider. Financial aid may be usable for an eligible approved program, but the student's aid package and program budget determine what it covers.

Eastern Washington University Admissions Factors

Acceptance rate
91%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
91%
Washington
83%
US
78%

23% of admitted students enrolled (1,357 of 5,972)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Eastern Washington University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 6,581
Admission
Total: 5,972
Enrolled
Total: 1,357
Women
Men

How to Apply to Eastern Washington University

Regular application deadline

September 1

Application fee

$65

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Eastern Washington University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,262
Out-of-state: 83
International: 7

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 1,357
Transfer: 643

Eastern Washington University Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

1%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

7%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Neither required nor recommended

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Neither required nor recommended

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Eastern Washington University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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