Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Topeka

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Kansas CapitolPhoto: Srudisell · CC BY-SA 4.0
Colleges in and near Topeka

Topeka is home to two colleges, with 5,161 students on campus

Washburn University (4,956 students on campus) and Rasmussen University-Kansas (205) are inside the city. About 5% of Topeka’s residents are enrolled in college, below Kansas (7%).

Washburn University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Topeka. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
5,161 students on campus
Nearest college
0.3 mi
Washburn University
Residents in college
5%
Below KS (7%)
Nearest community college
50.6 mi
Manhattan Area Technical College · $9,844 tuition
Nearest public university
0.3 mi
Washburn University · $9,945 in-state
Median household income
$57K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Topeka

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in TopekaWashburn University has 4,956 students on campus in Topeka, 53% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Washburn UniversityLiving in Kansas, Washburn University charges $9,945 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $20,949. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 50.6 miles awayManhattan Area Technical College in Manhattan: tuition and fees $9,844 a year for Kansas residents.Students are 5% of residentsBelow Kansas (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Topeka

One private college within 2.5 miles, and one public college within 0.3 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miWashburn UniversityRasmussen University-KansasTopeka
University or collegeCommunity college
Washburn UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 4,956 on campus · In Topeka$15knet price53%graduate$50kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Rasmussen University-KansasUniversity or college · For-profit · 205 on campus · In Topeka$24knet price45%graduate$39kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Topeka’s median household income ($56,956) falls.

Washburn UniversityIn Topeka · sticker $21,512$10,758a year
Rasmussen University-KansasIn Topeka · sticker $31,095$23,246a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Topeka: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Washburn UniversityRasmussen University-Kansas
Washburn University53% graduate$50k earnings*$18k typical debt
Rasmussen University-Kansas45% graduate$39k earnings*$21k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Washburn University (2); Rasmussen University-Kansas (6).

Majors

What students study in Topeka

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Topeka’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 39%Liberal arts 13%Business 10%Public safety 5%Interdisciplinary 4%Public administration 3%Everything else 26%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingWashburn University · 141 graduates a year
$79k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesWashburn University · 46 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesWashburn University · 45 graduates a year
$66k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralWashburn University · 44 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management ServicesWashburn University · 39 graduates a year
$76k4 yrs out
Social WorkWashburn University · 33 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRasmussen University-Kansas · 33 graduates a year
$87k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessWashburn University · 29 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Topeka

Is Topeka a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Topeka residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Kansas (7). The largest campus in the city, Washburn University, has 4,956 students on campus.

What colleges are in Topeka?

Washburn University and Rasmussen University-Kansas are inside the city. Manhattan Area Technical College is 50.6 miles away in Manhattan.

What is the closest community college to Topeka, and what does it cost?

Manhattan Area Technical College in Manhattan, 50.6 miles away. Tuition and fees are $9,844 a year for Kansas residents; the federal net price, $10,074, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Washburn University cost if we live in Kansas?

Tuition and fees are $9,945 a year in-state and $20,949 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $20,310 (under $30,000 income) to $15,472 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Topeka. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →