The Evergreen State College
The Evergreen State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Is The Evergreen State College Worth It?
At a value score of 20/100, The Evergreen State College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,320 — 16% below average — while paying $24,319/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 96% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at The Evergreen State College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How The Evergreen State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #96 of 109 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #96 | The Evergreen State College | 20 | $24,319 | $45,320 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The Evergreen State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 21 in WA.
Best Programs at The Evergreen State College
The highest-earning program at The Evergreen State College is Biological and Physical Sciences at $21,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $21,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Biological and Physical Sciences graduate from The Evergreen State College earns $21,200, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $21,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Biological and Physical Sciences graduates carry $18,000 in median debt vs. $17,176 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,319/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | $21,200 | $21,200 | $18,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $21,100 | $21,100 | $17,176 |
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Olympia, WA
- Student Body
- 2,160 students
- Admission Rate
- 96%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,319
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,320
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500