Southwestern College vs. Washburn University

Should I go to Southwestern College or Washburn University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southwestern College or Washburn University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

MBTS KU Fort Hays State University ESU K-State NWOSU Pitt State McPherson College Baker Bethany College Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern College vs. Washburn University comparison
Southwestern College Washburn University College 3 College 4
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 Southwestern College Washburn University
Location Winfield, KS Topeka, KS
Setting Distant Town Midsize City
Enrollment 1,174 5,460
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #453
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sckans.edu washburn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Southwestern College Washburn University
Tuition (In State) $36,500 $9,044
Tuition (Out of State) $36,500 $20,328
Room & Board $9,380 $10,040
Avg Net Price $27,003 $12,473
Avg Grant Aid $26,047 $7,818
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Southwestern College Washburn University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,240 -
Admitted 870 -
Acceptance Rate 70.2%
Enrolled % 23.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/22
SAT Range 900/1220
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 22, 2025

Academics

 Southwestern College Washburn University
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (4%)
  • Health Professions (38%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Southwestern College Washburn University
Graduation Rate 57% 37%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,100 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 49%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $16,900
Median Loan Payment $266 $174

Diversity

 Southwestern College Washburn University
% Men 65% 36%
% Women 35% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 54% 64%
% Black 12% 6%
% Hispanic 8% 8%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 15% 14%

Students

 Southwestern College Washburn University
% In-State 36% 84%
% Out-of-State 61% 2%

Campus

 Southwestern College Washburn University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Washburn University is larger than than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (5,460 students vs. 1,174 students)

Southwestern College vs. Washburn University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern College or Washburn University?

  • Southwestern College is 303.6% more expensive to attend than Washburn University for in-state tuition ($36,500.00 vs. $9,044.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 79.6% higher at Southwestern College than Washburn University ($36,500.00 vs. $20,328.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Washburn University than Southwestern College ($12,473 vs. $27,003)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 7% lower than costs at Washburn University ($9,380 vs. $10,040)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Southwestern College as Washburn University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 233.2% larger than aid received Washburn University ($26,047 vs. $7,818)

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern College or Washburn University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Washburn University or Southwestern College .

  • Accepted freshman Washburn University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Southwestern College (3.33)

Southwestern College vs. Washburn University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwestern College or Washburn University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Washburn University and Southwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at Southwestern College is higher than Washburn University (57% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern College earn on average $10,800 more per year than Washburn University graduates after ten years. ($53,100 vs. $42,300)
  • Washburn University students graduate with a $8,850 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwestern College graduates. ($16,900 vs. $25,750)
  • Washburn University graduates are paying $92 less per month on federal student loans than Southwestern College graduates. ($174 vs. $266)
  • More Southwestern College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Washburn University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/