Best Alaska Colleges & Universities for 2017

Alaska may appear to have limited higher education opportunities due to its remote location and low population, yet a closer look shows otherwise. Students who live close to major cities can attend Alaska Pacific University or one of the three University of Alaska campuses, while smaller towns are home to several technical schools and Christian colleges. In addition, four-year colleges in Alaska offer more than 100 online programs between them, making higher education accessible to anyone with a reliable internet connection. Start your Alaska college search, see which schools are the most affordable, and find invaluable college planning resources in the following guide.

Alaska College Rankings: Best of 2017

No matter what students want to study when they go to college in Alaska, they should be confident that they’re receiving the best education their tuition can buy. In order to help students see what schools have to offer, we’ve ranked the top colleges in Alaska based on criteria such as price, financial aid opportunities, and the ratio of students to professors. Find out how schools ranked below.

Methodology +

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Ilisagvik College	99.74	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. N/A	5:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. N/A	45%	N/A	0	31	No	Yes

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Alaska Pacific University	98.96	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $47,400	7:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%	52%	42%	4	26	No	Yes
2	University of Alaska Fairbanks	95.91	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $38,200	14:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 43%	33%	N/A	14	104	Yes	Yes
3	University of Alaska Anchorage	95.26	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $42,000	19:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 44%	26%	N/A	4	88	Yes	No
4	University of Alaska Southeast	95.36	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $39,500	15:1	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 48%	10%	N/A	10	32	Yes	No

Search and Compare Colleges in Alaska

All students have their own individual needs and career goals. As a result, it’s imperative for them to find the school that will best position them to be successful in their chosen professions. Students who are looking for colleges in Alaska can use the search tool below to find the school that is best for them. Compare schools based on price, size, and location to help make this important decision.

Evaluating the Cost of College in Alaska

The cost of attending college in Alaska depends on what type of school students enroll in and whether or not they receive financial aid. This section compares tuition rates in Alaska to national averages, as well as the amount of financial aid students in the state generally receive.

Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska

Cost is a key factor in the college decision-making process – yet tuition rates don’t tell the entire story. Below we’ve listed the six-most affordable colleges in Alaska based on net price, which accounts for financial aid received and more accurately represents the cost of attending college.

• 1
  
  University of Alaska Anchorage$8,160
• 2
  
  University of Alaska Fairbanks$9,372
• 3
  
  University of Alaska Southeast$9,462

• 4
  
  Alaska Bible College$9,592
• 5
  
  Alaska Pacific University$30,891

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

Alaska College Net Price vs. National Average

$13,495

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Alaska Colleges With Top Alumni Earnings

College is a huge investment, so students need to know that they’re getting an education that can yield a good return on their investment. The list below provides information on which colleges in Alaska have alumni that make the best salaries within ten years of entering college.

• 1
  
  Alaska Pacific University$47,400
• 2
  
  University of Alaska Anchorage$42,000

• 3
  
  University of Alaska Southeast$39,500
• 4
  
  University of Alaska Fairbanks$38,200

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

Alaska Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$41,775

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Alaska Colleges for Low Student Loan Debt

In 2014, the Alaska State Legislature passed a measure that would create more favorable terms for those who get student loans. Even with this type of assistance, students are still concerned about keeping their student loan obligations to a minimum-which is highly influenced by what school they choose to attend. This section outlines which colleges in Alaska have students with the least amount of student loan debt after graduation.

• 1
  
  University of Alaska Southeast$19,437
• 2
  
  University of Alaska Fairbanks$20,000

• 3
  
  University of Alaska Anchorage$20,675
• 4
  
  Alaska Pacific University$25,125

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

Alaska College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$21,309

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Cost of Living in Alaska: Housing, Healthcare and Other Expenses

Tuition is not the only expense students who attend college in Alaska must consider. Investopedia reports that although the rent in large Alaskan cities is lower than many other major cities in the country, residents do pay more for utility bills and groceries. This section provides a more detailed look at the cost of living in Alaska by comparing rates of expenses such as housing, groceries, transportation, and health care to the national averages.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Accreditation for Alaska Colleges

When making a decision about which college to attend, it’s important for students to look for schools that are accredited, which helps to ensure that they’ll receive a quality education. Accreditation is provided by agencies that certify a school’s curriculum, faculty, and facilities meet high standards. Colleges in Alaska are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which provides credentials to both traditional and online schools. In addition, there are accrediting bodies that oversee specific degree programs. The following are examples of these agencies and the programs they accredit:

• The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation accredits teaching programs at Alaska Pacific University, the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Southeast, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks
• The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredits the dietetics program at the University of Alaska Anchorage
• The American Psychological Association provides accreditation for psychology degrees at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Anchorage
• The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits the visual arts program at the University of Alaska Anchorage
• The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education accredits the physical therapist assistant program at the University of Alaska Anchorage

Popular Cities to Attend College in Alaska

Anchorage

Anchorage is one of Alaska's largest cities, and it is also considered one of the most livable cities in the country. Students who graduate from colleges in Anchorage often find employment in some of the city's most popular industries, which include the education, health services, and hospitality sectors. Among the colleges in the city are the University of Alaska and Alaska Pacific University.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Alaska, Anchorage	Public	$8,160	$42,000
The University of Alaska, Anchorage's most popular degree programs among the school's 18,154 students include business, health professions, psychology and sociology. Although the school, which was founded in 1954, is the largest university in Alaska, students enjoy a small 11:1 student to professor ratio.
Alaska Pacific University	Public	$9,372	$38,200
Alaska Pacific University, which opened in 1957, is located on a 175-acre campus near the trail system in Anchorage. The school has 732 students enrolled in the school's undergraduate and graduate programs. Some of the most popular degrees granted by the school are in business administration, liberal arts, and parks, recreation, and leisure studies.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks, which has a population of 32,469, offers two- and four-year college programs at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Some key industries in the city are manufacturing, construction, leisure and hospitality, and health services.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Alaska, Fairbanks	Public	$9,372	$38,200
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks has 9,870 graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at its nine colleges and schools, such as the School of Education, the School of Management, the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and the College of Natural Science and Mathematics. UAF offers 146 degree and 31 certificate options, with psychology, biology, and public administration among the most popular. With 2,784 faculty members, the school boasts small class sizes that allow students to get individualized attention.

Source: College Scorecard

Alaska College Resources

There are many resources out there to help students choose which college in Alaska to attend. The following are some resources we have compiled to aid students with their research.