Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Washburn University

Washburn University's practical nursing program sits squarely in the middle of Kansas options, ranking at the 60th percentile statewide—a notable achievement given that Kansas has 28 competing programs. Graduates earn $43,321 initially and see that grow to $46,895 by year four, tracking closely with both state and national medians. The real strength here is the debt load: at $17,283, students borrow only about $2,700 more than the state median while attending a four-year university rather than a community college, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 means graduates can reasonably expect to manage repayment on an LPN salary.

The comparison with other Kansas programs is revealing. While Donnelly College and Kansas City Kansas Community College graduates earn roughly $5,000-$6,000 more annually, they're community colleges where the student experience differs significantly. Among similar institutions, Washburn holds its own. The 8% earnings growth over four years is modest but steady—LPN salaries tend to plateau relatively quickly, so this trajectory is typical for the field.

For a family choosing between Kansas nursing programs, this represents a solid middle-tier option that delivers reliable employment outcomes without excessive debt. The premium you're paying over community college alternatives buys access to Washburn's broader campus resources, though you'll want to weigh whether that's worth potentially lower starting earnings than schools like Donnelly.