Central Washington University, or CWU, is an accredited four-year educational institution located in Ellensburg, Washington in the United States. Originally known as Central Washington State College, CWU opened in 1890 as a teacher's college, which is still one of the primary majors taken there. CWU's sports teams are nicknamed the "Wildcats" and their colors are Crimson, Black, and White. CWU is part of NCAA Division 2 and is part of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Central Washington University is located about 30 miles north of Yakima, Washington on Interstate 82, and 110 miles east-southeast of Seattle, Washington on Interstate 90.

The university has been home to the signing chimpanzee Washoe since 1980; since 1993 at the university's Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute.