The Evergreen State College
#3 Best Psychology Colleges in Washington- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $45,320 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $24,319 D
- 42% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 96% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 13.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.2 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Psychology Colleges in Washington.
Every $1 spent returns $13.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,191,489.
What The Data Says
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A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 43% — 26% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why The Evergreen State College Matters
The Evergreen State College is a public university in Olympia, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,160
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose The Evergreen State College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 96% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1035–1253. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,319 a year after grants and scholarships — 42% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $45,320 ten years after enrolling — 11% above the typical college, against $20,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 96% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.58 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 96%, The Evergreen State College is an accessible option for students who value creativity and interdisciplinary study. This school is a good fit for those interested in the humanities, visual and performing arts, business and marketing, psychology, and social sciences. The focus on experiential learning encourages students to explore their interests deeply, which can lead to a fulfilling academic journey.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $45,320 a year, which is a solid starting point. While the graduation rate sits at 43%, many who complete their degrees find pathways to rewarding careers. The affordability factor is significant as well, with a net price of $24,319 after aid, making it a reasonable option for many families.
When considering the financial implications, the median debt upon graduation is $20,500, which is manageable for many graduates. The school tends to attract students who are self-motivated and eager to engage with diverse ideas. Those who thrive here appreciate a non-traditional learning environment and are often drawn to collaborative projects and community-based initiatives.
Rankings
- #3 Best Psychology Colleges in Washington
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Washington
- #16 Best Colleges in Washington
- #16 Best Bachelor's Programs in Washington
- #25 Best Business Colleges in Washington
- #34 Best Master's Programs in Washington
- #45 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
- #46 Most Affordable Colleges in Washington
Can I Get In?
How selective The Evergreen State College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into The Evergreen State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The Evergreen State College, located in Olympia, Washington, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,216. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 96%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1216
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- SAT Range
- 1035–1253
- ACT Range
- 23–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 70%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,212
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 1,623
- Admitted
- 1,207
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard The Evergreen State College is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 31% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 31%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 6%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 2%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 8% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The Evergreen State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The Evergreen State College is $31,905, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,319. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,079 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,264
- Out-of-State
- $31,905
- Avg Net Price
- $24,319
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,079
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $22,607
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $25,723
- Family Income $110K+
- $28,477
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at The Evergreen State College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is The Evergreen State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $45,320, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,774
- 8 Years
- $40,332
- 10 Years
- $45,320
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.45x
- Earning > $25K
- 48%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (182)
- 35%
- 100% (182)
- 35%
- 100% (182)
- 35%
- 100% (182)
- 35%
How The Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is The Evergreen State College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The Evergreen State College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,319/year ($97,276 total). Graduates earn $45,320 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,288,765 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,191,489 (13.2× your investment). The median debt is $20,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $97,276
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,288,765
- Net Return
- $1,191,489
- ROI Multiple
- 13.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,319
- Median Debt
- $20,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does The Evergreen State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The Evergreen State College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.51%, a more modest figure. About 6.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.51%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 7.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $136,137
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,957,017
- Investment Income
- $1,722,566
Top Programs
The fields The Evergreen State College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 57%
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Psychology 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- English & Literature 3%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Communications 2%
- Computer Science & IT 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for The Evergreen State College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into The Evergreen State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
The Evergreen State College, located in Olympia, Washington, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 96%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,216. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The Evergreen State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The Evergreen State College is $31,905, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,319. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,079 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $20,500 in federal student loans.
Is The Evergreen State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The Evergreen State College earn a median of $45,320, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does The Evergreen State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The Evergreen State College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.51%, a more modest figure. About 6.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is The Evergreen State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The Evergreen State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 21% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does The Evergreen State College offer Early Decision?
No. The Evergreen State College does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is The Evergreen State College really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 8% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at The Evergreen State College (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at The Evergreen State College?
About 31% of admitted students choose to enroll at The Evergreen State College — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The Evergreen State College.
- Black Hills State UniversitySpearfish, SD · Close peer40% grad $46,674 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. Thomas UniversityMiami Gardens, FL · Close peer46% grad $54,272 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Maryland Eastern ShorePrincess Anne, MD · Close peer35% grad $47,697 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Midway UniversityMidway, KY · Close peer43% grad $44,246 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Close peer50% grad $50,970 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, PA · Close peer59% grad $45,856 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is The Evergreen State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at The Evergreen State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 21% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note