Green River College started as a program of adult evening education in 1945 as part of the Auburn School District.

Green River College offers certificate, associate, and applied baccalaureate degree programs, as well as classes to prepare students for academic transfer to a four-year college or university; more than 40 professional and technical programs; and classes in Adult Basic Education and English for speakers of other languages.

One of the college's signature programs is Aviation Technology, where students are trained for a variety of careers including Air Traffic Controller and Professional Pilot.

Students learn in Green River's new state-of-the-art air traffic control lab and flight simulator.

[7] In 2014, Green River College began offering Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs.