Washburn University College Portrait
Washburn University1700 SW College Avenue Topeka, KS 66621
785-670-1030
Washburn University
Learning for a Lifetime
Washburn University is a public metropolitan institution emphasizing excellence in teaching. The emphasis on quality instruction has been maintained since Washburn’s founding in 1865. The University’s educational objectives are to prepare individuals for careers, graduate education, and for a lifetime of continuous learning. The open admissions policy for undergraduate students allows Washburn to offer higher education to a diverse population. Washburn offers a broad-based liberal arts and professional education through more than 200 programs leading to certificates and to associate, baccalaureate, master, and juris doctorate degrees; more than 1,200 degrees and certificates are awarded annually. "Learning for a lifetime" captures the spirit of Washburn University.
Living in the Community
Washburn is Student Focused
Washburn University is student-focused and is committed to an environment appropriate to the needs of a diverse student population. In the pursuit of its mission to help all students achieve their full academic potential, the University provides a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, state-of-the art technology, and academic support services to foster learning. Washburn's vision of academic excellence includes small classes taught by full-time faculty members. Outside the classroom, there are many opportunities for students to connect with others who share their interests through activities such as professional clubs, Greek life, intramural sports, and service organizations.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
| Total Students | 7,230 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 6,321 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 3,822 | 60% |
| Men | 2,499 | 40% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 39 | 1% |
| Asian | 63 | 1% |
| African American / Black | 355 | 6% |
| Hispanic | 320 | 5% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 4 | <1% |
| White | 3,918 | 62% |
| Two or More Races | 147 | 2% |
| International | 151 | 2% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 1,324 | 21% |
| Where do Washburn undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Kansas | 93% |
| Other US States & Territories | 6% |
| Other Countries | 1% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are Washburn undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 25 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 34% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT |
|---|---|
| Composite | 18 - 23 |
| Math | 18 - 24 |
| English | 17 - 24 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 37% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 69% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 70% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.31 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 98% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $14,595
Out-of-State & Other Costs
More Information
The cost to attend Washburn University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 40% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $4,938. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 57% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,463. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
Washburn Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 16 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 71% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 96% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 258 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 53% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 16% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 83% |
Campus-based Housing
39% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
10% of all undergraduates live on campus
More Information
Campus Safety
Washburn is committed to providing a safe campus and learning environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Residence hall access is restricted by card key and the halls feature a number of other safety measures. The University Police Department serves the campus 24 hours per day with trained, certified officers. The Police Department provides safety escorts as well as assistance with vehicles (e.g., locked keys in car, jump starts). Student Government sponsors Safe Ride where students can call for a free ride home after an evening out.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs)
- Size and Setting
- Medium four-year, primarily nonresidential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Medium full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Professions plus arts & sciences, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Postbaccalaureate with arts & sciences (other dominant fields)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
Student Activities and Involvement at Washburn
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 84% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 52% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 18% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 81% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 18% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 46% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 57% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 9% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 91% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 97% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 74% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 69% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 96% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 59% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 83% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 97% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 70% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 62% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 86% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 52% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 85% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 87% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 81% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Washburn University in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Associate's | 88 |
| Bachelor's | 870 |
| Master's | 115 |
| Doctoral | 139 |
| Total | 1,212 |
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 14% |
| Business Administration and Management, General | 7% |
| Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration | 6% |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 6% |
| Accounting | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at Washburn University |
|---|
Associate'sBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Future Plans of 2009-10 Bachelor's Degree Recipients
Survey Administration Process
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 73% four-year success and progress rate means that 73% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 801 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 483 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 66%
Student Learning at Washburn University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Washburn University is student-focused and is committed to creating and maintaining learning environments appropriate to the needs of a diverse student population with a dedication to practices and policies that facilitate student learning. The assessment process has become part of the campus culture and the University uses a variety of assessment tools to guide the development and enhancement of the undergraduate learning environment. All programs have a mission, goals, learning outcomes, and a cycle for assessing each outcome. Programs are required to have direct and indirect assessments and are encouraged to include formative and summative assessments.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.