Career Training Path › Kansas › Washburn Institute of Technology
Washburn Institute of Technology
Topeka, Kansas · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 5724 SW Huntoon, Topeka, KS 66604 · Phone: (785) 670-2200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Washburn Institute of Technology is a public trade school in Topeka, Kansas offering CNA classes, welding, and EMT training, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Washburn Institute of Technology has a 67.7% completion rate versus a 57.3% state average, with median graduate debt of $18,127 and median earnings of $49,774 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Washburn Institute of Technology; the school does participate in federal financial aid programs, and 13.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $32,180 | $38,010 | $44,170 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,790 | $49,410 | $59,200 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,560 | $35,780 | $39,060 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $49,780 | $61,760 | $69,470 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,970 | $47,790 | $63,000 |
| Electricians | $42,660 | $65,860 | $80,560 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,910 | $29,710 | $48,010 |
| Phlebotomists | $34,410 | $39,100 | $46,540 |
| Construction laborers | $31,500 | $44,840 | $49,210 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $39,130 | $65,220 | $84,870 |
| Machinists | $38,240 | $51,220 | $61,450 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,660 | $60,460 | $72,830 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $36,540 | $58,390 | $74,990 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $39,520 | $51,620 | $62,030 |
| Surgical technologists | $44,720 | $60,600 | $67,570 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Kansas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 126 | $39,127 | $38,829 | $9,750 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 83 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 66 | $50,713 | $56,776 | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 53 | $39,127 | $38,829 | $9,750 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 43 | $31,947 | $31,890 | $5,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 34 | not reported | not reported | $6,792 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | $29,952 | $32,391 | $5,500 |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | $29,952 | $32,391 | $5,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | $29,952 | $32,391 | $5,500 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $27,682 | $27,995 | $8,250 |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | $50,713 | $56,776 | $9,500 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Washburn Institute of Technology is a public trade and career training campus located in Topeka, Kansas. It participates in federal Title IV student aid programs, meaning students may use FAFSA-based financial aid to help pay for training. The school holds accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Council on Occupational Education. Its top programs by completions are CNA classes, welding schools, and EMT & paramedic training, part of a broader lineup of 19 program families ranging from cosmetology to HVAC to CNC machining.
Washburn Tech reports a completion rate of 67.7%, above the Kansas state average of 57.3% for similar institutions. Graduates carry a median debt of $18,127, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $49,774. About 13.5% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 587 trade completers against an undergraduate enrollment of 615, this campus appears geared toward short, focused career-training programs rather than long degree tracks, which may suit adults changing careers who want a faster path into fields like welding, nursing support, or emergency medical services. Program length details for individual tracks are not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students should confirm schedules directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcomes independently, check the Council on Occupational Education and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing directories, and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard entry for this campus.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Washburn Institute of Technology offers 19 program families, with the most completions in CNA classes, welding schools, and EMT & paramedic training. Other offerings include electrician, HVAC, plumbing, cosmetology, culinary, and CNC machining programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Council on Occupational Education, and its status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Washburn Institute of Technology participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid. About 13.5% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 67.7%, which is above the Kansas state average of 57.3% for comparable programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates report a median debt of $18,127 per the College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $49,774 per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (785) 670-2200 or visit washburntech.edu for current pricing.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Washburn Institute of Technology is a public institution, which can affect tuition rates and eligibility for certain state and federal aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program schedules and duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the provided link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
With 587 completers against 615 undergraduates and a focus on shorter career-training programs like CNA, welding, and EMT training, this campus's structure suggests it may suit adults seeking a faster entry into a trade, though individual program lengths are not reported here.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Washburn Institute of Technology at (785) 670-2200 or through its website, washburntech.edu.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard to compare specific metrics across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Topeka, KS
- Washburn UniversityTopeka, KS · university
- Midwest Barber CollegeTopeka, KS · career college
- Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka, KS · university
- Washburn Tech EastTopeka, KS
- White Line CDL Training - TopekaTopeka, KS
- Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and TechnologyWichita, KS · 43% completion
- Johnson County Community CollegeOverland Park, KS · 31% completion
- Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City, KS · 42% completion
See all trade and career schools in Kansas or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.