Students at Washburn University benefit from exceptional affordability combined with earnings that consistently exceed expectations for graduates of similar institutions.
The university delivers practical career preparation at costs that remain manageable for families across all income levels, backed by strong loan repayment outcomes.
Washburn University delivers solid value for students seeking practical career preparation at an affordable price. Located in Topeka, this medium-sized public university serves a diverse student body, with about 31% of students receiving Pell Grants and 38% being first-generation college students. The university maintains strong affordability, ranking in the top 25% nationally for keeping costs manageable across all income levels.
What distinguishes Washburn is its focus on career-ready programs that translate directly into employment. Graduates earn a median of $49,774 ten years after enrollment, and the university consistently delivers earnings that exceed expectations by about $5,463 compared with similar institutions nationwide. This earnings advantage reflects Washburn's strength in high-demand fields like nursing, healthcare technology, and computer science.
As a comprehensive regional university, Washburn combines the accessibility of a public institution with the personal attention of a smaller campus. The university's 53% six-year graduation rate, while modest, reflects its commitment to serving students who might not succeed elsewhere, including substantial numbers of transfer students and working adults. For families prioritizing affordability without sacrificing career outcomes, Washburn represents a practical choice that delivers measurable returns on investment.
Washburn University's program portfolio reflects a clear focus on career-ready fields that lead directly to employment in growing sectors. Adult Health Nursing dominates both in scale and financial returns, with 149 graduates earning a median of $54,812, making it the university's flagship program. This substantial nursing cohort reflects both regional healthcare demand and Washburn's established reputation for preparing skilled healthcare professionals.
Technology programs show particularly strong earning potential, with Artificial Intelligence graduates earning $64,493 despite the program's smaller size of 22 students. Clinical Research Coordinator programs, graduating 76 students at $44,032 median earnings, demonstrate Washburn's ability to prepare students for specialized healthcare support roles that combine clinical knowledge with research skills.
The university's program mix emphasizes practical, applied learning that translates directly into career advancement. Rather than offering broad liberal arts programs with uncertain outcomes, Washburn concentrates on fields where graduates can immediately enter stable, well-compensated positions. This focused approach helps explain why the university consistently delivers earnings that exceed expectations, as students graduate with skills that employers actively seek in the regional job market.
Washburn University graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $49,774, with the university delivering earnings that are about $5,463 higher than what similar students achieve at comparable institutions nationwide. This earnings advantage places Washburn near the national average for return on investment, demonstrating the university's ability to translate education into meaningful career advancement.
The strongest financial returns come from Washburn's health sciences and technology programs. Adult Health Nursing leads with 149 graduates earning a median of $54,812, making it both the largest and highest-return program at the university. Artificial Intelligence, though smaller with 22 graduates, delivers the highest individual earnings at $64,493, reflecting strong demand for technology skills in the regional job market. Clinical Research Coordinator programs, with 76 graduates earning $44,032, demonstrate Washburn's strength in preparing students for growing healthcare support roles.
The university's program mix emphasizes practical, career-focused fields that align with regional employment needs. Nursing and healthcare programs form the core of Washburn's academic strength, consistently producing graduates who enter stable, well-compensated careers immediately after graduation. This focus on applied learning and direct career preparation helps explain why Washburn graduates earn more than expected compared with peers at similar institutions.
Washburn University stands out for its strong affordability across all income levels, ranking in the top 25% nationally for keeping costs manageable. Low-income students pay an average net price of $9,589 annually, well below typical public university costs, while middle-income families see annual costs around $13,702. Even higher-income families pay a reasonable $17,323 per year, making Washburn accessible to a broad range of Kansas families.
The university's financial aid approach helps students minimize borrowing while completing their degrees. Typical graduates leave with about $18,127 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount given the median earnings of nearly $50,000 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $12,993, reflecting the university's success in keeping family debt obligations reasonable. The combination of strong grant aid and moderate debt levels creates a sustainable financial pathway for most students.
What makes Washburn particularly attractive is how comfortably graduates can manage their debt obligations. With median earnings approaching $50,000 and a 0% federal loan default rate, borrowers demonstrate strong repayment capacity. The university's loan repayment data shows that graduates steadily pay down their balances, with repayment rates consistently above national medians, indicating that the debt students take on is well-matched to their post-graduation earning power.
Washburn University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
