Washburn Institute of Technology

What Washburn Institute of Technology does

Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) is a public technical college headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, operating as a subsidiary of Washburn University under Kansas Board of Regents oversight. Founded in 1968 and employing 101-250 staff across four sites (main Huntoon campus, Washburn Tech East satellite, Fort Riley, and Topeka Correctional Facility), the institution delivers 30+ career and technical education programs spanning healthcare, manufacturing, construction, transportation, hospitality, business, and technology. Core technical infrastructure includes a Regional Simulation Center for healthcare training, industrial robotics labs, CNC machining equipment (milling machines and lathes), Direct Digital Controls and commercial HVAC systems built through partnerships with Trane USA and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), and Snap-On-supplied tool resources. Curriculum is aligned to NCCER, MSSC, AWS, NIMS, and NC3 industry certifications, and accelerated pathways include CDL in four weeks and certificate-to-AAS-to-bachelor's articulation through the Washburn University affiliation.

The business model is a hybrid of state appropriations, individual tuition, and grant funding rather than a venture-backed commercial operation. High school students attend tuition-free through Kansas state funding; post-secondary students pay tuition (e.g., IMMT Cert A approximately $2,625, Cert C approximately $4,716) and may qualify for free tuition via the Kansas Promise Scholarship (two-year Kansas residency/work commitment) or federal financial aid. Ancillary revenue streams include public Conference Center rental, continuing education and customized workforce training for employers, and ESL/GED programs. The customer base spans five primary segments: high school dual-credit students (largest by state-funded volume), adult post-secondary learners, veterans and military (with a dedicated Military Transition Coordinator), business and industry partners (Hire-Grads, apprenticeships, career fairs via Handshake), and adult education/GED learners served through the Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas (AO-K) program. Recruitment is sales-led through district-level counselors, campus tours, and direct employer partnerships; the institution reports a 94% job placement rate, the highest in Kansas.

Name

Washburn Institute of Technology

Legal name

Washburn Institute of Technology

Website

https://washburntech.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) is a public technical college in Topeka, Kansas, affiliated with Washburn University, delivering 30+ hands-on career and technical education programs across healthcare, manufacturing, construction, automotive, and business fields to high school students, adult learners, veterans, and industry partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career and Technical Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM), Career & Technical Education (CTE) & Trade Skills Media (EDAGALAG)

Keywords

• Career technical education
• Vocational training programs
• Associate degree programs
• Manufacturing trades training
• Healthcare workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Topeka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition - Post-Secondary Students: Tuition-based revenue from adult students enrolled in technical programs. High school students receive free tuition through state funding. Financial aid, grants, and scholarships available to offset costs.
2. Kansas Promise Scholarship: Free tuition for qualifying post-secondary students who commit to living and working in Kansas for two consecutive years after program completion.
3. Federal Financial Aid: Federal student aid including grants and loans for eligible post-secondary students to cover tuition and educational expenses.
4. Conference Center Rental: Public rental of the Conference Center facility located in Building A for events, workshops, retreats and meetings.
5. Continuing Education Courses: Fee-based continuing education and professional development courses for business and community members outside regular credit programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) is a public technical college offering more than 30 career and technical education programs across healthcare, manufacturing, construction, transportation, hospitality, business, and technology fields. Programs lead to technical certificates (Cert A/B/C) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees, with articulation pathways into Washburn University bachelor programs. The institution also delivers adult education/GED, customized workforce training for industry partners, and continuing education short courses.

Product overview

Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech) is a technical college offering career and technical education programs across healthcare, manufacturing, construction, transportation, hospitality, business, and technology fields. The institution provides a portfolio of over 30 career programs that function as interconnected educational pathways: students can progress from individual technical certificates (Cert A/B/C) to Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees, with options to transfer to Washburn University for bachelor's degrees. Core programs include Welding Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC, Industrial Machine/Maintenance Technology, Machining & Manufacturing, and comprehensive Healthcare programs (CNA, CMA, LPN, ADN, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant). The institution operates multiple campuses including the main Huntoon campus and Washburn Tech East, with specialized programs at Fort Riley and Topeka Correctional Facility. Student support services encompass accessibility services, veterans services, residential living, career services, and financial aid including the Kansas Promise Scholarship. Community-focused offerings include summer camps for middle/high school students, the Recycled Rides vehicle donation program, SkillsUSA competitions, and National Technical Honor Society recognition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Welding Technology Program
• Electrical Technology Program
• Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Program
• Healthcare Programs
• Commercial Truck Driving (CDL) Program
• Industrial Machine/Maintenance Technology (IMMT) Program
• Machining & Manufacturing Technology Program
• Industrial Production Technology Program
• Certified Production Technician Program
• Certified Logistics Technician Program
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degrees
• Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas (AO-K) Program
• Adult Education/GED Program
• Summer Camps
• Customized Training Services
• Continuing Education Courses
• Conference Center
• Washburn Tech East Satellite facility at 2014 SE Washington St. offering healthcare programs (CNA, CMA, HHA), construction trades (Plumbing, Electrical evening), manufacturing (Industrial Production Technology), GED, and ESL classes. Funded by $5.5 million from JEDO/GO Topeka as a joint effort with the East Topeka community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% job placement rate - highest in the state of Kansas
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• GO TopekacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGO Topeka partnered with JEDO to fund the $5.5 million Washburn Tech East facility. Partnership focuses on workforce development and economic growth in Topeka.
• East Topeka CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashburn Tech East is a joint effort with the East Topeka community to provide healthcare, construction trades, and GED training to underserved areas.
• Trane USAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for HVAC training at the Midwest Training Center. Trane provides industry expertise and equipment for training students in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technologies.
• Snap-On ToolsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for tool equipment and training resources at the Midwest Training Center. Supports HVAC and other technical programs with professional-grade tools.
• National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)majorTechnology or IntegrationNC3 partnership provides industry-recognized certifications for HVAC and other technical programs. Certifications aligned with national standards.
• United Way of Kaw ValleymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Recycled Rides program. United Way helps select deserving individuals and non-profit organizations to receive refurbished vehicles donated through NABC Recycled Rides.
• National Auto Body Council (NABC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNABC Recycled Rides program. Washburn Tech was the first college in the nation to participate. Students refurbish donated vehicles for families in need.
• Licensed Auto Repair BusinessesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal businesses donate parts and supplies and volunteer licensed technicians to help students refurbish vehicles for Recycled Rides program.
• HandshakecoreTechnology or IntegrationFree job posting and career connection platform for employers to connect with Washburn Tech and Washburn University students. Manages career fair registrations and job postings.
• Fort Riley Military InstallationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary installation hosting the Certified Production Technician program for service members. Facility code 11X08816 for VA benefits.
• Topeka Correctional FacilitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorrectional facility hosting Industrial Production Technology program. Scholarship opportunities available for incarcerated students.
• Let's Help (200 S. Kansas Ave, Topeka)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization location partner for AO-K adult education and GED programs in Topeka.
• KanVetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKansas veterans resource website for educational benefits information and connections to VA services.
• Kansas State Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAO-K (Accelerating Opportunity: Kansas) program partnered with Kansas Regents and KSDE to transform adult education delivery using career pathways.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Penn Foster: Online/distance-learning trade school offering HVAC, welding, electrical, and automotive career diplomas — a substitute competitor particularly for adult learners in Washburn Tech's service area.
• WyoTech: For-profit trade school focused on automotive, diesel, collision/refinishing, and welding — overlaps directly with Washburn Tech's SkillsUSA-strong auto collision and welding programs.

Direct peers

• Manhattan Area Technical College: Kansas public technical college offering certificates and AAS degrees in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and IT — nearly identical program mix and target student base as Washburn Tech.

Broad incumbents

• Universal Technical Institute (UTI): National for-profit technical school specializing in automotive, diesel, welding, and industrial programs — directly comparable to Washburn Tech's automotive, diesel, and welding tracks at much larger scale.
• Fortis College / Fortis Institute: Multi-state for-profit career school offering HVAC, welding, electrical, and healthcare programs with similar industry-certification outcomes (EPA 608, NCCER, AWS).
• Lincoln Tech: Multi-campus for-profit career college with HVAC, electrical, welding, and automotive programs — comparable curriculum and certification alignment (EPA 608, NCCER) to Washburn Tech's trades portfolio.

Regional players

• Hutchinson Community College: Public Kansas community college with strong CTE/workforce programs (manufacturing, welding, healthcare, HVAC). Most direct Kansas-based competitor to Washburn Tech for technical certificate students in the state.
• Johnson County Community College: Large Kansas community college with extensive continuing education, workforce, and technical credential offerings — competes for the same adult-learner and employer-sponsored training dollars in the KC metro.
• Kansas City Kansas Community College: KCKCC operates technical education centers offering similar welding, HVAC, automotive, and healthcare training as Washburn Tech, serving the Kansas City metro — adjacent and partially overlapping service geography.

Others

• SNHU (Southern New Hampshire University): Large online university with workforce-oriented associate and bachelor's pathways; not a direct CTE competitor but competes for the same adult career-changer segment that Washburn Tech targets via Kansas Promise Scholarship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WashburnTech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFs7ZDjYM-SwSuNnZCgt9HA
• Facebookfacebook.com/158118574241092
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/washburn-institute-of-technology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Washburn Institute of Technology