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.
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.
Latest FE earnings field: 10-year
Lower quartile, 10-year field
Upper quartile, 10-year field
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.
How graduate earnings grow across the currently available FE horizons.
Financial justification for the investment.
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.
Program mix and student pathways explain much of the earnings story.
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 provides context for how education and service-sector fields align with regional labor-market conditions in rural Arkansas and surrounding areas.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
