The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA
Quick Facts
“Omnia Extares (Latin)”("Let it all hang out")
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About The Evergreen State College
Embrace a personalized, interdisciplinary journey where your education is your own creation.
The Evergreen State College stands out as a distinctive public liberal arts institution in Washington, renowned for its pioneering non-traditional curriculum. Here, students are empowered to design their own study paths towards a degree or engage in rich interdisciplinary academic programs that explore several disciplines in a coordinated, holistic manner. A cornerstone of the Evergreen experience is its unique approach to evaluation, where faculty provide substantive narrative evaluations of students' work instead of issuing conventional grades.
Founded in 1967, Evergreen emerged during an era of educational experimentation and is one of the rare institutions from that period to steadfastly maintain its innovative philosophy. Its main campus, a sprawling 1,000-acre haven, boasts its own saltwater beach and is nestled in a lush forest near Olympia. This commitment to an unconventional yet deeply engaging education, combined with its stunning natural setting and a satellite campus in Tacoma, offers a truly unique academic and personal growth experience.
Academically, Evergreen offers a robust suite of degrees including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Environmental Studies, Master in Teaching, and Master of Public Administration. These programs reflect the college's dedication to both a broad liberal arts foundation and practical, public-service oriented professional development. After experiencing enrollment declines in the past, Evergreen has demonstrated remarkable resilience and vitality, celebrating four consecutive years of enrollment growth between 2022 and 2025, solidifying its renewed appeal to students seeking a truly different educational journey.
Key Highlights
- ✦Pioneering non-traditional curriculum since 1971, offering students the option to design their own study paths.
- ✦Unique narrative evaluations replace traditional letter grades, providing in-depth feedback on student performance.
- ✦Set on a sprawling 1,000-acre main campus that includes its own saltwater beach near Olympia, Washington.
- ✦Offers a range of degrees including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Environmental Studies, Master in Teaching, and Master of Public Administration.
- ✦Known for interdisciplinary academic programs that allow students to explore multiple subjects in a coordinated manner.
- ✦Established in 1967, it remains one of the few experimental colleges from its era to maintain its distinctive educational approach.
- ✦Experienced significant enrollment recovery and growth for four consecutive years between 2022-2025.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
3 notable schools within The Evergreen State College
Master of Environmental Studies
A graduate program designed for students pursuing advanced knowledge and careers in environmental fields.
Master in Teaching
A professional graduate degree program aimed at preparing aspiring educators for careers in teaching.
Master of Public Administration
A graduate program focused on equipping students for leadership roles in public service and administration.
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