Washburn University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Washburn University charges a net price of $15,280/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $61,120. Graduates earn a median $49,774 ten years after entry, $1,414/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 43.2 years — a 20-year net return of -$32,840, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Washburn University's 43.2-year payback ranks #1,177 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 8% of them, and #20 of 57 in Kansas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,280/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $61,120 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,774 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,414/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,127 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 43.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$32,840 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Washburn University's own numbers. Net price $15,280 × 4 years = $61,120 total. Median earnings $49,774 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,414 a year of premium. $61,120 ÷ $1,414 = 43.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$32,840. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Washburn University students graduate with?
A median $18,127 in federal loans among completers, or 36% of the $49,774 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Washburn University students graduate?
53% finish their degree — 47% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $61,120 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $115,321 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Washburn University expensive compared with other Kansas colleges?
Its $15,280 net price runs $0 above the $15,280 median across the 57 Kansas colleges we profile, or $0 more across the full degree.