Coeducation at Deep Springs College: Contesting Tradition and Mission at a Philanthropic Institution

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Matthew J. Ely

Abstract

In 2017, Deep Springs College changed its admissions policy which, to that point, had only allowed men to enroll as students. This historical paper examines the foundations of this distinctive college and how its atypical mission and policies made the shift to coeducation so prolonged and contentious. The paper concludes by reflecting on Deep Springs College as a philanthropic institution, one which relies almost entirely on donations to support its operations and does not charge tuition from any of its students. By viewing internal discord over coeducation as a model philanthropic issue, scholars of higher education can reframe the ways in which policy change is accepted or deferred in more complex institutions.

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How to Cite
Ely, M. J. (2026). Coeducation at Deep Springs College: Contesting Tradition and Mission at a Philanthropic Institution. Journal of the Student Personnel Association at Indiana University, 53, 59–67. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/jiuspa/article/view/43340 (Original work published May 4, 2026)