Blackburn College vs. Washburn University

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Washburn University in Topeka, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washburn University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (6,033 students vs. 513 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Washburn University is in Topeka, KS (Midsize City setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Washburn University 15:1.

Blackburn College vs. Washburn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or Washburn University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Washburn University than Blackburn College ($11,488 vs. $18,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 13.8% lower than at Washburn University ($9,915 vs. $11,501).
• Blackburn College is 183% more expensive for in-state tuition than Washburn University (about $18,204 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $9,945.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.4% higher at Blackburn College than at Washburn University (about $7,200 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $20,949.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Washburn University (100% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 98.9% larger than aid received by Washburn University students ($19,456 vs. $9,781).

Blackburn College vs. Washburn University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or Washburn University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Washburn University and Blackburn College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 888/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Blackburn College 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; Washburn University - Not reported.
• Accepted freshman Washburn University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).

Blackburn College vs. Washburn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and Washburn University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Washburn University's (37%).
• Graduates from Washburn University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washburn University graduates have a $9,100 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($16,900 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Washburn University graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($174 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washburn University students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.