Founded in 1865 as Lincoln College by the General Association of Congregational Churches and renamed Washburn College in 1868, Washburn University is a premier public municipal university located in Topeka, Kansas. Spanning a picturesque 160-acre campus in Kansas's capital city featuring native limestone architecture, Washburn connects law, business analytics, health professions, forensic chemistry, and public policy. You can examine its founding charter, Congregational heritage, and municipal history through the Washburn University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you study at Washburn, you enter a supportive academic setting characterized by small class sizes, direct faculty teaching, and direct proximity to state government. Living in Topeka places you minutes away from the Kansas State Capitol, state courts, health networks, and historic law firms.
Premier Academic Programs
Washburn organizes its instruction across specialized schools and colleges holding national reputations:
- Washburn University School of Business: AACSB-accredited business school famous for corporate finance, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Explore degree options on the Washburn School of Business portal.
- Washburn University School of Law: Nationally recognized law school specializing in trial advocacy, oil and gas law, criminal justice, and legal writing.
- School of Nursing: Prepares clinical nurses and family nurse practitioners through state-of-the-art simulation laboratories.
- School of Applied Studies: Delivers hands-on instruction in criminal justice, forensic chemical analysis, allied health, and social work.
- College of Arts and Sciences: Serves as the liberal arts core across biological sciences, political theory, mass media, and fine arts.
"Non Nobis Solum, translated from Latin as Not for Ourselves Alone, serves as Washburn University's official motto."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Carnegie Hall quadrangle, the Mabee Library, and the Memorial Union. School spirit revolves around The Ichabod, the historic mascot honoring early benefactor Ichabod Washburn, who leads student cheers during NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association athletic events. You can read about spirit traditions and mascot history on the official Washburn Ichabods Athletics portal. Cheering inside Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl for football games, attending basketball games in Lee Arena, and joining over 100 student clubs creates a close-knit campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Forensic Analysis
Washburn operates an active applied research framework in partnership with state law enforcement agencies:
- Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Forensic Science Center: State-of-the-art crime laboratory situated directly on campus, providing students hands-on forensic science research space.
- Center for Kansas Studies: Interdisciplinary research institute documenting Kansas state history, literature, and municipal economic policy. Learn more via Washburn Research Operations.
- Small Business Development Center: Regional business incubator assisting local entrepreneurs and student venture startups.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Supreme Court justices, Governors, Nobel nominees, and corporate leaders, including:
- Georgia Neese Clark Gray: First female Treasurer of the United States, appointed by President Harry S. Truman, who earned her degree at Washburn.
- Thomas Charles Power: Prominent U.S. Senator and business executive who studied at Washburn.
- Bob Edwards: Legendary National Public Radio broadcaster and Peabody Award winner who earned his journalism degree at Washburn.
- Joan Finney: First female Governor of Kansas who earned her Bachelor's degree at Washburn University.
Washburn University provides generous merit scholarship coverage and resident-equivalent tuition rates for qualified domestic and international students. Review full admission standards on the official Washburn Admissions portal.