Top Ranked Programs
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.