Living on campus can enhance your pathway to success

Move into new, modern residence halls on the Washburn University campus and discover college life at its best. Choose from several housing options, from traditional residence halls to apartment-style living or Greek Life, Washburn has several housing options where you will feel right at home. By living on campus, you will discover community, convenience and support while creating bonds and friendships that last a lifetime. Washburn requires first-year, first-time students to live on campus, which is shown to improve your opportunities for success. National data indicates that living on campus helps you in the classroom, leading to higher GPAs and graduation rates.

Check out Washburn's housing options

Washburn University students have a variety of on-campus housing options from which to choose, including suite-style living in Lincoln Hall and the Living Learning Center (LLC) and apartment-style living for upperclassmen in the Washburn Village Apartments. Students who are members of a fraternity or sorority on campus may also choose to live in Greek housing.

1,000+

Students living on campus

$0

Deposit fee

There is no deposit fee to apply for student housing on campus.

Mid-April

Housing priority

Our residential halls are popular, so apply early to lock down your room.

A group of learning community members chat.

Are you interested in living in one of our learning communities?

One of the best ways to make friends with similar interests on campus is by joining one of our Living Learning Communities. Learning Communities are halls in which students with similar interests live together and participate in programs that cater to their academic, co-curricular and social needs. Washburn’s learning communities including Honors and Leadership, among others.


Two friends smile with arms around their shoulders.

Make lifelong friends and more

"Student life was a big factor in my decision to come to Washburn. I lived in the residence halls. I liked that a lot. I felt really safe living there and being there. They have lots of events and different celebrations of whatever's going on all the time, so there’s always something going on here."

- Krista Wilson

Students smile and chat over a meal in the dining hall.

Dining options at Washburn University

Looking for a bite to eat on campus? Dine on campus in eateries connected to the residence halls. Your meal plan options include an all-you-care-to-eat buffet at Lincoln Dining Hall.


Mr. Ichabod helps a student carry their belongings to their new home.

Everything you need to know for Move-In Day

Worried about moving all your stuff into your new place on campus? Don't be! Our helpful Washburn Move-In Crew will make your first day in the residence halls a smooth one. Move-in day begins at 8 a.m. on the Thursday before classes begin.


Information for parents & families

At Washburn, we're here to help you through the process as your student transitions into college life! We encourage you to view these helpful resources for parents to answer questions and concerns you may have about living on campus, including information about roommates, and what you can do to help your student find their footing.


Tour Washburn University

Before you make a decision about where you'd like to live, we encourage you to take a campus visit and tour of our vibrant campus and state-of-the-art residence halls. We know that you’re going to fall in love when you see it all in person.

A group of RAs.

Join our team: Get a job with residential living

Looking for a way to make some extra cash in college? The Washburn Residential Living Office has several student jobs available, including desk assistant, office assistant and resident assistant positions. Help us deliver the best experience possible for your fellow Ichabods!


Students carry a bag of laundry to their residence hall.

Summer housing options

Summer housing is available to Washburn students meeting at least one of the following conditions:

  1. Students taking a summer course at Washburn
  2. Student enrolled for the upcoming Fall semester and who have lived with us this past year or will be living with us next year (booking required)


Residential living FAQs

Transfer students have the option to live on campus, but may also choose to live off campus as long as they aren’t first-year students. Transfer students can choose to live in Lincoln Hall, the Living Learning Center or, if they have accrued more than 24 credit hours, the Washburn Village. Transfer students also are able to move into on-campus fraternity/sorority housing.

At Washburn University, you can request specific roommates and the Residential Living staff will do their best to accommodate your request. If you don’t request a specific roommate, or if your requested roommate isn’t available, roommates will be assigned based on information provided in your online application and occupancy needs.

At the beginning of each academic year the residents of each room will be asked to fill out a roommate agreement contract, designed to open communication between the residents about typical issues that cause trouble between roommates. If the roommates have issues during the year, the residents will be asked to take steps to reconcile the relationship, first with mediation by the student staff member, then a second mediation by a professional staff member. Following the mediations, if the issues still exist, a room change can be discussed at that time.

When you move onto campus, you will be provided with a bed, mattress, dresser, desk and desk chair. In addition, window blinds, a telephone jack and cable TV jack are provided. Wireless internet is provided in every room and common living area. You will want to bring essential items, including your Social Security card, bedding for a twin bed, towels and washcloths, clothes, surge protectors, toiletries and any medications you take. See our complete packing checklist.
The residence halls are Washburn University are secured buildings that require your iCard for entry. Washburn has an on-campus police department that is staffed around the clock to ensure students' safety on campus. The iAlert messaging system also provides emergency notifications for students about any potential threats to campus, including severe weather alerts. In the event that you are sick or injured, you may go to the on-campus health services clinic. For mental or emotional support, you can speak with your resident assistant or visit the Counseling Center.

Break housing is available during Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break and Spring Break with prior approval from the Residential Living Office. To receive prior approval, residents must complete an online break housing form. You will receive this via your Washburn email prior to break. Because the halls are officially "closed" during these periods, guests are not allowed without the prior approval of the Residential Living Office and the other occupants of the suite. Residents will be charged a daily rate according to their residence hall assignment. Students leaving during these breaks do not need to move out their belongings. However, it is recommended that students remove items of value such as laptops, TVs, iPads, etc.

Summer housing also is available for Washburn students enrolled in classes over the Summer, or who will be living on campus the following Fall semester. Summer contracts are available online via MyWashburn beginning in April. Residents who are contracted for the following academic year will have reduced summer housing costs.

Washburn University’s location in the capital city of Kansas creates a ton of great opportunities for students because of its strong local economy and nearby jobs in high-paying industries such as health care, law and state and local government. Topeka also consistently ranks as one of the top 10 most affordable cities in the United States, and students can take advantage of free bus rides to get around town on the Topeka Metro using their iCard. Learn more about The Topeka Advantage.

GET IN TOUCH WITH Residential Living

Residential Living
Washburn Residential Living Office
Living Learning Center
1801 SW Jewell Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Phone & Email
(785) 670-1065
Fax : (785) 670-1186
resliving@washburn.edu

back to top button