Best Colleges in Alaska 2024

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Here are the best colleges and universities in Alaska, categorized into two lists – research universities and liberal arts colleges – to help you find the right kind of school for you.

Best Colleges in Alaska

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  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  2. University of Alaska Anchorage
  3. University of Alaska Southeast
  4. Alaska Pacific University
  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  2. University of Alaska Anchorage
  3. University of Alaska Southeast
  4. Alaska Pacific University
  1. Alaska Pacific University 99%
  2. University of Alaska Anchorage 65%
  3. University of Alaska Southeast 63%
  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
  2. University of Alaska Anchorage 11 to 1
  3. University of Alaska Southeast 9 to 1
  4. Alaska Pacific University 8 to 1
  1. Alaska Pacific University $20,760
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks $7,659
  3. University of Alaska Southeast $7,147
  4. University of Alaska Anchorage $6,192
  1. Alaska Pacific University $11,700
  2. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,535
  3. University of Alaska Southeast $11,183
  4. University of Alaska Anchorage $9,234
  1. Alaska Pacific University
  2. University of Alaska Southeast
  3. University of Alaska Anchorage
  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  1. Alaska Pacific University
  2. University of Alaska Southeast
  3. University of Alaska Anchorage
  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  1. University of Alaska Southeast 63%
  2. University of Alaska Anchorage 65%
  3. Alaska Pacific University 99%
  1. Alaska Pacific University 8 to 1
  2. University of Alaska Southeast 9 to 1
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks 11 to 1
  4. University of Alaska Anchorage 11 to 1
  1. University of Alaska Anchorage $6,192
  2. University of Alaska Southeast $7,147
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks $7,659
  4. Alaska Pacific University $20,760
  1. University of Alaska Anchorage $9,234
  2. University of Alaska Southeast $11,183
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,535
  4. Alaska Pacific University $11,700

Colleges and Universities in Alaska

The six colleges and universities in Alaska are largely located near Anchorage and Fairbanks, two of the state’s largest cities. However, the University of Alaska Southeast houses campuses in the island towns of Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka. Also, 2 universities in Alaska offer online degrees for students in more remote areas, or anywhere. While the tuition for Alaska’s largest universities, the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, offer competitive rates of $8,000-$9,000, the University of Alaska Anchorage’s student population is nearly twice the size, with nearly 11,000 students. This state also offers two private colleges, both with religious backgrounds, in Alaska Pacific University and Alaska Bible College.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Those hoping to truly immerse themselves in Alaska’s wilderness may want to consider attending Iḷisaġvik College, which is a tribally-owned community college located in Barrow, the northernmost point in Alaska. Many of the degrees students pursue in Alaska fall in the science and social science fields, but students also have the option to obtain on-campus or online degrees in areas like religious studies, education, and liberal arts.

Alaska’s landscape is as vast as its history. The massive glaciers, thousands of miles of coastline, our country’s highest mountain peak, and wildlife that live among the people are only some of the features that have helped earn this state its nickname, The Last Frontier. Though there are numerous online degree programs in Alaska, students aspiring to see caribou in person or witness the Northern Lights may want to get their degree on one of Alaska’s sprawling college campuses.

Fortunately, a number of colleges in Alaska offer hybrid degree options, where you can take some online courses and some courses on campus.

For students hoping for a mix of adventure and education, learn more about Alaska’s higher education institutes, degree options, online degree programs, and top career paths.


What are Alaska’s Colleges & Universities?

Alaska’s Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

Alaska' Best Colleges and Universities Badge
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We’ve identified 4 colleges and universities in Alaska that meet our criteria. This list of the top colleges in Alaska below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Alaska.

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Best Colleges in Alaska 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Cost of Degree: $9,612
    Expenses: $15,300
    Starting Salary: $45,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAAS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Finance
    • General Business
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Sport Management
    • Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Biological Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSEM in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management
    • Emergency Management
    • Emergency Medical and Public Health Management
    • Fire Administration
    • Homeland Security
    • Law Enforcement Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Biological Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAM in Applied Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Alaska Anchorage

    Cost of Degree: $7,508
    Expenses: $21,284
    Starting Salary: $51,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Alaska Anchorage known for?

    University of Alaska Anchorage’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    63%

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Alaska Southeast

    Cost of Degree: $8,726
    Expenses: $13,678
    Starting Salary: $39,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Alaska Southeast known for?

    University of Alaska Southeast’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Alaska Southeast’s Online Degrees

    BA in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BLA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Special Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Social Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Anthropology
    • History
    • Political Science
    • Psychology
    • Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Tuition + fees

    $21K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Alaska Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $20,760
    Expenses: $13,910
    Starting Salary: $45,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Alaska Pacific University known for?

    Alaska Pacific University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Alaska’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  2. Alaska Pacific University
  3. University of Alaska Anchorage
  4. University of Alaska Southeast
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