Best
Colleges in Alaska in 2027

Business Administration

Studying business administration in Alaska combines core business skills with knowledge of the state's resource-based and tourism economies. Courses typically include accounting, economics, marketing, finance, management, business law, entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior. Graduates may pursue roles such as business manager, marketing coordinator, financial analyst, human resources specialist, or operations supervisor. Popular options include the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Alaska Pacific University, which offer business administration study opportunities in the state.

Psychology

Studying a psychology program in Alaska combines science with attention to local communities. Typical courses cover research methods, statistics, developmental psychology, social psychology, cognition, abnormal psychology, and counseling. Popular options include the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, and Alaska Pacific University. Graduates may pursue roles such as case manager, behavioral health technician, youth services worker, research assistant, or human resources specialist, though clinical practice usually requires graduate study.

Computer Science

Studying computer science in Alaska combines theory with technical skills in programs shaped by the state's communities and industries. Typical courses include programming, data structures, algorithms, databases, operating systems, computer networks, and cybersecurity. Graduates may pursue careers as software developers, systems analysts, network administrators, data analysts, or cybersecurity specialists. Popular in-state options include the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Anchorage, offering computer science study and opportunities for research, internships, and projects.

Counseling

Studying a counseling program in Alaska combines counseling theories, ethics, lifespan development, assessment, multicultural practice, group counseling, and supervised fieldwork. Students often explore trauma-informed care and substance-use treatment, preparing to support diverse communities across urban and rural settings. Popular options include the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Alaska Pacific University. Graduates may pursue roles as mental-health counselors, school counselors, substance-use counselors, or community behavioral-health clinicians, subject to credentials and licensure.

Nursing

Studying nursing in Alaska combines classroom learning with clinical experience in urban and rural communities. Students typically study anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, mental health, maternal-child care, and community health, alongside supervised clinical rotations. Graduates of associate or bachelor's programs commonly pursue registered nurse roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, public-health agencies, or schools. Popular Alaska-based nursing programs include the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Alaska Pacific University.

Best Colleges in Alaska Ranking Summary & Conclusions

• The median total cost of studying is 19,776.0, compared with 23,444.8 at schools in the top 10% of the ranking.
• Financial aid is reported for an average of 100.0% of students overall, versus 79.5% at top-10% schools.
• The average acceptance rate is 79.5%. Schools receive an average of 469.0 applicants, while top-10% schools average 567.4. The median number of applicants is 156.0 men and 313.0 women.
• Average test scores are 1,235.0 on the SAT and 22.0 on the ACT.
• Average enrollment is 3,253.71 students. Average enrollment figures are 39.0 men and 58.0 women.
• The average graduation rate is 40.43%, compared with 50.6% at top-10% schools. Median graduation rates are 42.0% for men and 34.0% for women.
• Seven institutions offer associate's degrees, seven offer bachelor's degrees, four offer master's degrees, and two offer doctor's degrees. Seven schools are coeducational.
• When comparing colleges, prospective students should weigh total cost and financial-aid availability alongside acceptance rates, applicant numbers, test scores, enrollment, and graduation outcomes. The reported figures show that top-10% schools have higher median costs and graduation rates, but lower average aid coverage; students should consider which trade-offs best fit their needs.

How much does studying at a college in Alaska cost?

The average total cost of studying in Alaska is $17,060.29, a useful planning benchmark rather than necessarily the full price of an entire degree. Your bill depends on whether you attend full time, live on campus, and qualify for resident tuition or financial aid.

Tuition and fees average $12,137.57, room and board $11,508.75, and books and supplies $892. These are separate averages that may reflect different student budgets, so they do not necessarily add up to the reported total.

For an Alaska-based student, compare the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Alaska Southeast for program costs, campus housing, and aid options. Living at home or choosing a nearby campus may potentially lower expenses. Ask each school's financial aid office about grants, scholarships, and residency rates before enrolling. A budget can make studying close to home feel manageable and exciting.

How long does it take to finish college in Alaska?

In Alaska, a bachelor's degree typically takes about four years of full-time study, while an associate degree often takes two; part-time enrollment, work, family commitments, and course availability can extend either timeline. At the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or University of Alaska Southeast, your pace depends on your program and how consistently you complete courses.

There are encouraging ways to finish sooner. Ask an adviser whether high-school dual-enrollment, transfer credits, or recognized exams can satisfy requirements, and plan early for summer courses. Some programs offer accelerated or online classes, which may help you keep momentum, though labs and clinical placements can set a schedule. Check that faster pacing still fits your budget and workload.

Alaska's average graduation rate is 40.43%; among the top 10% of schools, it is 50.6%. Rates are 45.57% for men and 36.86% for women, underscoring the persistence degree completion can require.

Salary

College graduates in Alaska earn a median alumni salary of $46,643. For graduates of schools in the top 10%, the median is $56,573.60. Your actual earnings will vary by field, experience, and employer, but these figures offer a useful starting point as you consider studying in the state.

Alaska students can explore institutions such as the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Alaska Southeast. The statewide salary figures are not specific to any one of these schools, so compare programs and career paths that fit your goals when estimating what you might earn after graduation.

People also ask

What are the three biggest colleges in Alaska?

By student enrollment, the largest are generally the University of Alaska Anchorage, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Alaska Southeast. Enrollment changes from year to year, so the exact order can vary. Together, these campuses offer Alaskans options to study close to home, from Anchorage to Fairbanks and Southeast Alaska.

How many colleges are there in Alaska?

A commonly used count is eight degree-granting colleges and universities, counting the three University of Alaska universities as separate institutions. The total can be higher if community campuses, career schools, or other postsecondary providers are counted separately. For students, checking whether a list includes those smaller campuses can make comparisons more useful.

Top 5 Colleges in the Best Colleges Ranking in Alaska Ranking in 2026-2027

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is a public research university in Interior Alaska, offering an option for students who want to study in Fairbanks while staying in state. Its 7,358 enrolled students make it the largest school in this group. The graduation rate is 38%, and acceptance data are unavailable. Total study cost is $23,881, while median alumni salary is $51,038. Consider its scale and reported outcomes alongside your program and Alaska living arrangements before applying or comparing aid.

Alaska Pacific University (APU) is a small university in Anchorage, giving Alaska-based students a close-knit campus setting in the state's largest city. It enrolls 593 students, with a 47% graduation rate and a 96% acceptance rate. Reported total study cost is $20,350, and median alumni salary is $39,315. Its compact enrollment may appeal to students seeking a smaller-college environment, while Anchorage offers an urban base for studying in Alaska. Compare program availability, aid, and commuting or housing costs before enrolling.

University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) serves students in Southeast Alaska, with its main campus in Juneau and learning locations in the region. Its 1,797 enrolled students indicate a smaller community than the state's largest campuses. The graduation rate is 28%, acceptance rate 63%, total study cost $23,154, and median alumni salary $46,643. For an Alaska resident, UAS offers the possibility of pursuing a degree in the southeast without leaving the state; compare programs, travel, and local living costs before deciding.

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is a public university in Anchorage, connecting students with degree study in Alaska's largest city. Its enrollment of 10,574 is the highest among these five schools. UAA reports a 30% graduation rate; acceptance data are unavailable. The total cost of studying is $19,776, and median alumni salary is $60,264, the highest listed. Alaska residents can weigh these figures against their intended major, living expenses, and the convenience of studying close to home in Alaska.

Iḷisaġvik College is a community college in Utqiaġvik, offering an Alaska-based option in the state's far north. Its 256 students make it the smallest institution in this comparison. The reported graduation rate is 46%; acceptance and median alumni salary data are unavailable. Total study cost is $4,920, the lowest figure listed. For students living on the North Slope, studying here may reduce the need to relocate, though program fit, transportation, and available financial aid still merit checking before enrollment locally.