Washburn University is a public institution with more than 7,500 students and 1,000 faculties and staff involved in more than 200 academic programs. Our programs lead to certification, associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. All of our programs are offered through the College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of Applied Studies, Business, Law, and Nursing on a 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan. The broadly-based liberal arts and professional programs are enriched by a long-standing interactive relationship between the campus and Kansas’s capital city community.
It's easy to get involved
In addition to a wide range of academic options, students can participate in more than 100 on-campus clubs and organizations – from The Bod Squad, which supports Washburn’s NCAA Division II athletic programs, to student government and beyond. Students, faculty, and staff also can enjoy numerous volunteer, cultural and recreational opportunities throughout campus and the Topeka community.
At Washburn a quality education is affordable
Since its founding in 1865, Washburn has been providing students of all walks of life a place to realize their dreams. Today, our legacy of affordable, quality education for all continues.
- Washburn is annually ranked as one of the best colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report.
- More than $70 million in financial aid is available to students annually.
- Scholarships awarded from university resources total $7.9 million.
- Residents of Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas pay Kansas resident tuition.
Vision Statement
Washburn University is a premier public Midwest regional teaching institution recognized as a community leader in providing a superior student-centered, teaching-focused learning experience, preparing graduates for success in their chosen profession and stimulating economic vitality.
Mission Statement
Washburn University enriches the lives of students by providing opportunities for them to develop and to realize their intellectual, academic, and professional potential, leading to becoming productive and responsible citizens. We are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarly work, quality academic and professional programs, and high levels of faculty-student interaction. We develop and engage in relationships to enhance educational experiences and our community.
Core Values
- Integrity: acting in an honest, fair, and ethical manner, creating a culture of trust evident in all University activities and decision making.
- Excellence: serving our scholarly community by delivering consistently high-quality programs, teaching, service, and scholarship.
- Accountability: ensuring academic, programmatic, and fiscal integrity and value through prudent management of resources entrusted to the University.
- Respect: embracing diversity and treating others collegially with civility, openness, and professionalism in all interactions, activities, and decision making.
- Collaboration: working toward common goals with others in the University and the community while valuing teamwork, participation, and diversity of ideas and perspectives.
- Innovation: encouraging, considering, and supporting the development of ideas by fostering individual ingenuity and creativity and creating an environment with opportunities for growth and change.
Our programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Washburn University is able to offer distance learning programs in a number of states through our membership in SARA -- the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. SARA is a voluntary agreement among its member states and U.S. territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. Under the current agreement, Washburn is authorized to offer programs in all states except California, Florida and Massachusetts which are not members of SARA.