Washburn University
Topeka, KS 66621
About Washburn University
Washburn University is a public research university in Topeka, Kansas, serving roughly 4,562 students. Washburn University awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $9,945 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $49,774 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Washburn University charges about 1.8× the national public median tuition ($9,945).
- Versus the Kansas median, sticker tuition is 7% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 52.96%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $49,774.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Washburn University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 714% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
Washburn University awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 84 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washburn University | $9,945 | $15,280 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Kansas (state median) | $9,282 | $9,905 | 60 |
| Suburban (locale median) | $13,135 | $18,048 | 684 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Washburn University really?
Key findings
- Washburn University charges about 1.8× the national public median tuition ($9,945).
- Versus the Kansas median, sticker tuition is 7% above.
Washburn University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $9,945
Finding Washburn University charges about 1.8× the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $9,945. That is about 1.8× the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Kansas median ($9,282), sticker tuition is 7% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 16% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Washburn University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Washburn University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Washburn University is $15,280.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $15,280 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $5,375 above the Kansas median net price. Versus suburban campuses, net price runs $2,768 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Washburn University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Washburn University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Washburn University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$9,945
Out-of-state tuition
$20,949
Avg. net price
$15,280
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $20,310 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,693 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,758 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,922 |
| $110,001+ | $15,472 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $39,780. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Washburn University is known for
Top program completions
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse130
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies100
- Law96
- Social Work60
- Business Administration and Management, General53
See earnings & programs for more.
Is Washburn University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Washburn University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Washburn University.
Campus
Location
Topeka, KS
City / state
- ZIP
- 66621
- NCES locale
- Suburb
Compared with Suburban campuses nationally, net price is 15% below the median for Suburban campuses ($18,048 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Plains
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Size
Enrollment
4,562
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 6,131
- Graduate
- 702
- Full-time share
- 84%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$18,127
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 33.59%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Washburn University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Washburn University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Washburn University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,774 | $12,926 | $11,215 |
| 2014 | $6,038 | $13,526 | $11,505 |
| 2015 | $6,350 | $14,222 | $11,153 |
| 2016 | $7,754 | $17,386 | $11,455 |
| 2017 | $7,978 | $17,918 | $13,341 |
| 2018 | $8,312 | $18,560 | $13,683 |
| 2019 | $8,704 | $19,456 | $14,481 |
| 2020 | $8,762 | $19,766 | $14,339 |
| 2021 | $8,872 | $19,876 | $14,194 |
| 2022 | $9,154 | $20,438 | $11,793 |
| 2023 | $9,578 | $20,582 | $13,046 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Washburn University reported total enrollment of about 4,562 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 34% male and 66% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (59.1%), Hispanic or Latino (16.2%), and Black or African American (8.7%). About 33.59% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 37.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
83.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Washburn University in 2024 is 4,562 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 6,131 students. Graduate enrollment is about 702 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
68.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
27.56% 100% Completion Time
52.96% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 27.56% of students graduating from Washburn University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 16% male / 84% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 35% male / 65% female
- Law: 48% male / 52% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Washburn University graduates earn a median of $49,774 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Washburn University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $49,774. Median federal loan debt: $18,127. Average net price used in cost models: $15,280.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Washburn University graduates report median earnings of $49,774 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Washburn University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (84 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Washburn University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Washburn University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Washburn University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$196.9M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Kansas median 14× the median ($13.6M)
- Plains median 8.2× the median ($24.1M)
- U.S. median 7.5× the median ($26.4M)
- Kansas median 3.1× the median ($15,453)
- Plains median 3.2× the median ($15,020)
- U.S. median 4.0× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 61.7%
- Kansas median 3.4 pp below median (65.2%)
- Plains median 3.0 pp below median (64.7%)
- U.S. median 3.8 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $8,816
- Kansas median 1.4× the median ($6,380)
- Plains median 1.2× the median ($7,194)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,422
- Kansas median 1.6× the median ($6,600)
- Plains median 1.3× the median ($8,150)
- U.S. median 1.4× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Washburn University at a glance
Washburn University
Washburn University is a public institution in Topeka, KS, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Registered Nursing/Registered NurseLiberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal StudiesLaw
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian59.1%Hispanic or Latino16.2%Black or African American8.7%
Schools near Washburn University
Other campuses in Topeka, KS when available, plus nearby institutions in Kansas.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within Kansas, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Washburn University located?
Washburn University is located in Topeka, KS.
What is Washburn University's tuition?
Washburn University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $9,945 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $15,280 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Washburn University cost?
Reported tuition is $9,945 and average net price is $15,280 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $11,501 annually.
What explains Washburn University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($15,280), completion (53.0% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($49,774). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Washburn University?
Washburn University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 6,131 students, White (59.1%), Hispanic or Latino (16.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Washburn University?
About 37.8% of students at Washburn University are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Washburn University earn?
Median earnings are $42,881 six years after entry and $49,774 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Washburn University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 53.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Washburn University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $18,127.
Is Washburn University public or private?
Washburn University is a public institution located in Topeka, KS.
Is Washburn University an HBCU?
No. Washburn University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Washburn University a tribal college?
No. Washburn University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.