Best Grad School in Alaska 2024

Badge for BEST IN ALASKA GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Jenn Finley
Published:
Updated:

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Alaska offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Best Grad Schools in Alaska

  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks
    • Tuition: $10K
  2. University of Alaska Anchorage
    • Tuition: $8K

Key Takeaways

  • Two schools in Alaska meet our criteria for the best grad schools in the state.
  • Earning a master’s or doctorate degree from one of the state’s best grad schools will qualify graduates to work in one of Alaska’s top industries.
  • It is important to choose a grad school in Alaska that offers opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Colleges and Universities in Alaska

Two 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-$10,000, the University of Alaska Anchorage’s student population is nearly twice the size, with nearly 11,000 students.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.


What are Alaska’s Colleges & Universities?

Alaska’s Best Overall


college student standing outside on a college campus

There are 2 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Alaska. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Alaska is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Alaska 2023

  1. #1

    University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Fairbanks , AK
    #1 Best Colleges in Alaska 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska 2025 #13 Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    11K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Cost of Degree: $10,016
    Expenses: $16,700
    Starting Salary: $45,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Alaska Fairbanks known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    The University of Alaska Fairbanks welcomes graduate students who want to participate in research that can impact the whole world. It nurtures every student’s dream to pursue unique ideas in a diverse learning community.

    What we love about the University of Alaska Fairbanks:

    A new academic culture is taking shape at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Revolutionary ideas are being studied and students are encouraged to create solutions from their experiential questions.

    The University of Alaska Fairbanks is ideal for students who:

    Want to participate in proactive research studies.

    The University of Alaska Fairbanks might not be the best fit for students who:

    Prefer to study on a smaller campus, as most buildings are scattered.

    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Alaska Anchorage

    Anchorage , AK
    #3 Best Schools for Becoming an Air Traffic Controller in 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Alaska 2024 #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    65%

    Graduation

    30%

    Student body

    17K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Alaska Anchorage

    Cost of Degree: $7,566
    Expenses: $22,014
    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

    A premier university, the University of Alaska Anchorage is located in the center of Anchorage, Alaska. What sets them apart from other universities in the state is their industry connections, allowing graduate students and graduates to form networks and connections early on.

    What we love about the University of Alaska Anchorage:

    The University of Alaska Anchorage is famous for its Arctic research, and they have courses that can be taken outdoors, enhancing learning experiences. There are also plenty of opportunities that allow students to prepare for their careers.

    The University of Alaska Anchorage is ideal for students who:

    Want to experience a unique college life.

    The University of Alaska Anchorage might not be the best fit for students who:

    Drive to school as parking can be limited at times.

    Compare school
college students in a lecture with a professor at the front of the class
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Alaska’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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. University of Alaska Anchorage
  3. University of Alaska Southeast
  4. Alaska Pacific University
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