Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Washburn University #354 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,774, placing Washburn University in the 31.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Washburn University #245 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Washburn University's composite standing reflects a consistent balance across value, earnings, and affordability that positions it well among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates enter careers — anchored by the university's health-dominant program mix — with median earnings that hold up competitively, while post-graduation affordability remains a relative strength in the Azimuth rankings.
Azimuth ranks Washburn University #354 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Topeka, KS, Washburn University enrolls roughly 4,562 undergraduates. Retention stands at 68.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 53.0%, reflecting a student body that largely completes what it starts. The composite is anchored by what Washburn University delivers for its graduates. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,774, and earn about $8,985 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Washburn University in the 84.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program concentration in Health — a field with strong regional demand and stable career pathways — helps explain why graduates consistently outpace what comparable institutions produce for similar students. Access and affordability shape the rest of the picture. 33.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.8% are first-generation college students, reflecting a broad-access admissions posture that serves a wide range of Kansas families. Washburn University sits in the 82.9 percentile for affordability, the 71.8 percentile for access, and the 58.1 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — a profile that positions it as a practical, outcome-oriented option for students who want a clear return on their investment without taking on unnecessary financial risk.
Williams Baptist University's published cost of attendance is $21,512. Net price by income band shows modest variation across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $20,310, middle-income families pay around $10,758, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,472. Azimuth ranks Washburn University #245 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Williams Baptist University uses need-based aid to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university works to meet demonstrated financial need through a combination of scholarships, grants, and loans. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,127, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,741; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,774, median federal debt of $18,127 projects to a monthly payment of about $205 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Washburn University is a strong fit for students in KS and the surrounding region who want a health-oriented, career-focused education at a public institution with accessible admissions and a clear path to stable post-graduation earnings. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $56,774, placing Washburn University in the 31.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions — and earn about $8,985 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Washburn University in the 84.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The program portfolio is concentrated in Health, which drives much of that earnings performance and makes the institution a particularly good match for students drawn to nursing, allied health, and related applied fields. The access profile is broad. 33.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 37.8% are first-generation college students, and Washburn University sits in the 15.2 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure — a signal that the institution delivers meaningful outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds, not just those who arrive with financial advantages. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix favors health and applied professional fields over research-oriented or broad liberal arts tracks, and students who need to borrow should weigh median debt of $18,127 against their expected earnings trajectory in their chosen field.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Washburn University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Williams Baptist University's published cost of attendance is $21,512. Net price by income band shows modest variation across the income spectrum: low-income families pay approximately $20,310, middle-income families pay around $10,758, and higher-income families pay approximately $15,472.
Azimuth ranks Washburn University #245 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Williams Baptist University uses need-based aid to help bridge the gap between sticker price and what families pay. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university works to meet demonstrated financial need through a combination of scholarships, grants, and loans. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $18,127, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $13,741; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $56,774, median federal debt of $18,127 projects to a monthly payment of about $205 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Washburn University earn median 4-year earnings of $56,774, placing Washburn University in the 31.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,985 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 84.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Washburn University #575 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing reports 152 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $79,109, ranked #231 nationally in its major. Health and Medical Administrative Services reports 52 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $66,325, ranked #19 nationally in its major.
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness reports 48 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $57,079, ranked #85 nationally in its major. Communication and Media Studies reports 44 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $46,497, ranked #216 nationally in its major.
Engineering-Related Fields
8 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
152 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
18 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
36 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
26 graduates
Washburn University's program mix centers on education and teacher preparation, reflecting the institution's mission as a faith-based liberal arts college in rural Arkansas. Nursing is the largest program with 152 graduates, followed by Health Administration, Kinesiology, Communication and Media Studies, and Teacher Education.
Across 20 ranked programs serving roughly 825 students annually, the institution's program portfolio reflects a concentration in Health and related service-sector fields. Nursing leads the institution's earnings outcomes, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $79,109 and a cohort of 152 students.
Finance follows with median earnings of $76,175 and 36 graduates. These programs anchor the institution's strongest financial outcomes, though earnings across the portfolio remain modest relative to national medians—a pattern typical of education-focused and faith-based liberal arts institutions where many graduates enter public service, teaching, and nonprofit sectors.
Several of Washburn University's dominant programs are grad-school-dependent or credential-dependent pathways. Education programs, which form the institutional core, often lead to state teaching credentials and master's degrees in education administration or specialized instruction.
This means four-year earnings undercount the full trajectory of graduates who pursue advanced degrees or certifications after enrollment. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how education and service-sector fields align with regional labor-market conditions in rural Arkansas and surrounding areas.
