Great Teaching and Low Costs Make Evergreen a “Best Buy”

(Olympia, Wash.) High-quality academics and low costs have earned The Evergreen State College a “Best Buy” rating in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014, released July 2. Evergreen is the only Washington school to earn a place among the 21 public colleges and universities on this list for 2014, which includes top choices from the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.

The “Best Buy” rating signifies top-flight academics and inexpensive or moderate costs, according to Fiske. The latest edition represents the 30th anniversary of the guide, created by former New York Times education editor Edward B. Fiske.

The Fiske guide noted that Evergreen programs in environmental science, media, physical and biological sciences, social sciences, computer science and humanities are particularly strong.

In addition, the guide notes that freshman core programs help new students learn their way around the college’s unique curriculum. The interdisciplinary, team-taught system “works for those seeking the freedom to chart their own course,” says the guide.

“The quality of the teaching is incredible,” notes one student. “Professors actually get to know each individual student and are very knowledgeable.

Evergreen’s environmentally friendly buildings, locally sourced food and peaceful green campus score high marks, while its sports programs and geographic location are also cited as adding to a high quality of life for students.

The Evergreen State College is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum, high level of student/faculty engagement and emphasis on putting learning into action.