Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Topeka, Kansas
40.8% Acceptance Rate
Washburn Institute of Technology — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
40.8%Acceptance Rate
$17,795Annual Cost
$49,774Grad Salary
17.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
40.8%
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$12,943
Need-Based Aid
17.3% receive Pell
Washburn Institute of Technology Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech), established in 1964 in Topeka, Kansas, is a leader in career and technical education. As a public institution, it provides hands-on training in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, automotive technology, and information technology. The institute features modern labs and workshops equipped with industry-standard tools and technology, including a fully operational automotive service center and healthcare simulation labs. Washburn Tech maintains strong partnerships with local employers, ensuring curriculum relevance and job placement opportunities for graduates. Many programs can be completed in less than a year, providing an efficient pathway to skilled careers.
Washburn Tech is known for its flexible scheduling options, including day and evening classes, to accommodate working students. The institute offers both certificate programs and associate degrees through its connection with Washburn University. With small class sizes and instructors who are industry professionals, students receive personalized attention and practical knowledge. Washburn Tech's job placement rates consistently exceed 90%, demonstrating the effectiveness of its career-focused approach. The institute also provides customized training for local businesses, further strengthening its ties to the regional economy and workforce needs.
Washburn Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate
Washburn Institute of Technology admits roughly 40.8% of its applicant pool, keeping it competitive without being out of reach for a solid student.
What Washburn Tech Admissions Looks For
- Solid, Not Perfect: A GPA trending upward matters more than one that's flat.
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 40.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Check Your Admission Chances at Washburn Tech
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Washburn Institute of Technology's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Washburn Tech. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Washburn Tech Without SAT or ACT?
Washburn Tech neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Washburn Tech
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
Competitive positioning at Washburn Tech means clearing the academic bar comfortably, then using the rest of your application to show genuine fit.
Apply for the Kansas Promise Scholarship before general admission paperwork
Washburn Tech participates in the Kansas Promise Scholarship, which can cover tuition entirely if you commit to living and working in Kansas for two years after completing your program. Start this application as early as possible - it's a separate process from general enrollment and has its own deadlines tied to the academic term you're targeting.
Use the high school tiered-course pathway if you're still in school
Current high school students can take many Washburn Tech career-technical courses for free through tiered funding, earning both high school elective credit and technical training simultaneously. If you're a junior or senior, ask your counselor about half-day enrollment options before paying for anything as an incoming freshman-equivalent applicant.
Confirm which campus offers your program
Washburn Tech operates two locations - the McPherson Campus and Tech East - and programs aren't uniformly available at both. Confirm your specific program's campus location before planning a commute, since there's no on-campus housing and all students commute.
Prepare for the Wonderlic/WISC-III placement assessment, not a standard entrance exam
Admission relies on placement testing (Wonderlic or WISC-III style assessments) rather than SAT/ACT - treat this as a real gate given the school's ~41% acceptance rate, which is more selective than many assume for a technical college.
Expert Insight:
Families often assume a technical college with no on-campus housing and a commuter-only model has effectively open admission - but Washburn Tech's ~41% acceptance rate and placement-test requirement make it more competitive than peer technical schools, and popular programs (nursing, welding, cosmetology) fill before less-prepared applicants realize it.
Washburn Tech Profile
Full Name
Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech)
City
Topeka
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
66604
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Washburn Tech Degree Worth It?
At $17,795/year against a $49,774 median graduate salary, Washburn Tech is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $57,500, and graduates see a 2.62% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Washburn Tech Cost?
Listed tuition runs $17,795/year at Washburn Tech. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $12,943.
At Washburn Tech, 17.3% receive a Pell Grant and 11.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Washburn Tech on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Washburn Tech Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Washburn Tech graduates report a median income of $49,774, about 23% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Washburn Tech
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Washburn Tech Admissions
Washburn Institute of Technology graduates earn a lower median salary of $49,774/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Washburn Institute of Technology is relatively affordable, around $17,795/year.
17.3% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Washburn Institute of Technology skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Washburn Institute of Technology's acceptance rate is 40.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.