Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA

Background Image

Central Washington University - Ellensburg, WA

Area Guide

Share Guide

The best of Washington is at your fingertips from this historic institution

Public Rural College Town Scenic Mountains Nature Outdoors Historic

True to its name, Central Washington University is located about as close to the center of the state as you can get, and serves as a major player in Washington’s academic community, attracting eager minds from Seattle to Spokane and all points in between. A combination of exceptional research opportunities and superb educational resources has led to CWU being ranked as one of the top public schools in the West.

Choosing an apartment or rental house near the west side of the campus will put you closest to most of the major classroom buildings, while living near the south side provides the most convenient access to the administration buildings. The city of Ellensburg largely revolves around CWU, and the Downtown area just southwest of campus is packed with popular hangouts. Grab a local pint from Iron Horse Brewery, get your morning caffeine fix at D&M Downtown Coffee, or drop by Rodeo City Barbecue for the best rack of ribs in town.

Living in Ellensburg puts you just minutes from the magnificent Cascade Mountains, so you can easily take advantage of the Pacific Northwest’s finest skiing and hiking on the weekends in one of the nation’s most scenic natural landscapes. Less than two hours from Seattle via Interstate 90, a weekend excursion to one of the country’s most exciting cities is only a short car ride away.

Rent Trends

As of January 2025, the average apartment rent in Ellensburg, WA is $848 for a studio, $1,059 for one bedroom, $1,151 for two bedrooms, and $1,868 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Ellensburg has increased by 3.2% in the past year.

  • Studio

  • 84 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $848/month

    Average Rent

  • 1 BR

  • 560 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $1,059/month

    Average Rent

  • 2 BR

  • 808 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $1,151/month

    Average Rent

  • 3 BR

  • 1,170 sq ft

    Average Sq Ft

  • $1,868/month

    Average Rent

Transportation

38

Car-Dependent

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

This area is considered a car-dependent area and most errands will require a car.

51

Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

While there’s some bike infrastructure in this area, you’ll still need a car for many errands.

Schools

Valley View Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

395 Students

6
out of 10

Mount Stuart Elementary School

Public

Grades K-5

356 Students

6
out of 10

Lincoln Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

338 Students

5
out of 10

Damman Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

42 Students

Rating Unavailable

Morgan Middle School

Public

Grades 6-8

778 Students

5
out of 10

Ellensburg High School

Public

Grades 9-12

938 Students

7
out of 10

Excel High School

Public

Grades 9-12

37 Students

Rating Unavailable

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Olmstead Place

Commuter Rail

Airports

  • Yakima Air Trml/McAllister Field
  • Pangborn Memorial

Top Apartments Near Central Washington University

Houses Near Central Washington University

Property Management Companies

Search Nearby Rentals

Nearby City Rentals

Nearby Neighborhood Rentals

Nearby House Rentals