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Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas 66621

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesUrbanGreek life

Known for health sciences — excellent value

Washburn University is a public institution in Topeka with particular strength in health sciences and business.

A mid-sized campus of 4.1K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

53% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $49,774 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,046.

Established
1865
Motto
Non Nobis Solum
Mascot
The Ichabod
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

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Acceptance
SAT Avg
4,093Students
13:1Student:Faculty
53%Grad Rate
$49,774Earnings 10yr
$13,046Net Price

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,578
Tuition (out-of-state)$20,582
Room & Board$10,759
Books & Supplies$970
Total Cost of Attendance$20,949
Average Net Price$13,046
Median Debt at Graduation$18,127
Monthly Payment (10yr)$192

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,589
$30–48K$10,136
$48–75K$13,702
$75–110K$17,518
$110K+$17,323

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

65.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

31

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

8

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

8

Drug Arrests

6

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (120)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

69%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
4,093
Gender Split
64% / 36%
Women / Men
First Generation
38%
Pell Grant Recipients
31%

Race & Ethnicity

White 62%
Black 8%
Hispanic 15%
Asian 1%
Two+ 7%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate52.6%
Freshman Retention69.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$42,881
10 Years$49,774

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Ichabods

BasketballAthletic teams

History & Fun Facts

  • The institution was renamed "Washburn College" in 1868, after Ichabod Washburn pledged $25,000 to the school.
  • "The Ichabod" existed only in name until 1938, when alumnus (and later prominent graphic artist) Bradbury Thompson (B.
  • The athletic teams are nicknamed "Ichabods", although women's teams did not use that nickname until the 2013–14 school year.
  • In 1913, the medical department of Washburn College closed.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

96Average

Estimated from KS state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
60 mi(104 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
297 mi(515 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
429 mi(744 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City56 mi
OKC Oklahoma City272 mi
STL St Louis287 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1306 mi · ~37h 44m drive
New York, NY1153 mi · ~33h 19m drive
Hartford, CT1223 mi · ~35h 20m drive
Providence, RI1288 mi · ~37h 13m drive
Albany, NY1170 mi · ~33h 48m drive
Syracuse, NY1053 mi · ~30h 25m drive
Rochester, NY982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY915 mi · ~26h 26m drive
Philadelphia, PA1094 mi · ~31h 36m drive
Pittsburgh, PA839 mi · ~24h 14m drive
Harrisburg, PA1003 mi · ~28h 59m drive
Newark, NJ1145 mi · ~33h 5m drive
Washington, DC1001 mi · ~28h 55m drive
Baltimore, MD1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
Atlanta, GA727 mi · ~21h drive
Charlotte, NC859 mi · ~24h 49m drive
Raleigh, NC962 mi · ~27h 47m drive
Miami, FL1285 mi · ~37h 7m drive
Orlando, FL1094 mi · ~31h 36m drive
Tampa, FL1079 mi · ~31h 10m drive
Nashville, TN527 mi · ~15h 13m drive
New Orleans, LA704 mi · ~20h 20m drive
Richmond, VA994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
Chicago, IL467 mi · ~13h 29m drive
Detroit, MI700 mi · ~20h 13m drive
Minneapolis, MN429 mi · ~12h 24m drive
St. Louis, MO297 mi · ~8h 35m drive
Kansas City, MO60 mi · ~1h 44m drive
Indianapolis, IN512 mi · ~14h 47m drive
Columbus, OH680 mi · ~19h 39m drive
Cleveland, OH757 mi · ~21h 52m drive
Milwaukee, WI491 mi · ~14h 11m drive
Dallas, TX437 mi · ~12h 37m drive
Houston, TX641 mi · ~18h 31m drive
Austin, TX617 mi · ~17h 49m drive
San Antonio, TX683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
Los Angeles, CA1294 mi · ~37h 23m drive
San Francisco, CA1444 mi · ~41h 43m drive
San Diego, CA1275 mi · ~36h 50m drive
Seattle, WA1454 mi · ~42h drive
Portland, OR1442 mi · ~41h 39m drive
Denver, CO498 mi · ~14h 23m drive
Phoenix, AZ989 mi · ~28h 34m drive
Salt Lake City, UT865 mi · ~24h 59m drive
Honolulu, HI3833 mi · ~110h 44m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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