Washburn University

What is the history of Washburn University?

Washburn University traces its origins to Lincoln College, founded in Topeka in 1865. The college was renamed in 1868 for Ichabod Washburn, an early benefactor. Its founding soon after the Civil War remains part of the university's identity, reflected today in the Ichabods name used by its athletic teams.

The institution expanded from a college into a university with undergraduate, graduate and professional education. Today, Washburn is a public university with a law school and a technical education division, Washburn Institute of Technology. Applicants comparing its programs should distinguish university degrees from the career and technical credentials offered through Washburn Tech.

What are the faculties and departments at Washburn University?

Washburn University organizes its academic programs through the College of Arts and Sciences and schools focused on business, applied studies, nursing and law. Washburn Institute of Technology offers a different set of career and technical programs. The university awards credentials ranging from undergraduate degrees to graduate and professional degrees, depending on the program.

Students can explore subjects such as biology, communication, criminal justice, education, accounting, nursing and social work. The School of Law offers legal education through its own admissions process. This breadth can be useful for students considering more than one field, but admission to the university does not necessarily secure a place in a selective major or professional program. Nursing, for example, may have additional prerequisites and application steps.

What is the location of Washburn University?

Washburn University is in Topeka, Kansas, the state capital. Its main campus offers an in-person university setting in a city where students may also find opportunities connected to state government, health care, schools and local employers.

Topeka's location matters for students considering internships or commuting as well as classes: a reported 82% of Washburn students commute. Students without a car should check the route and hours of any transportation they expect to use, particularly for evening classes, work or clinical placements. Kansas City International Airport serves the broader region, but airport travel requires a separate ground-transportation plan.

What is the mission and vision of Washburn University?

Washburn describes its mission in terms of providing accessible, high-quality education and preparing students for work, further learning and participation in their communities. Its public-university identity is especially relevant to its mix of liberal arts, professional and technical education.

A prospective student can evaluate that stated purpose in concrete terms: whether a particular program offers the courses, advising, experiential learning and schedule the student needs. The university's mission is a statement of institutional priorities, not evidence that every student will have the same experience or outcome. Washburn is a public institution, not a religiously affiliated university.