Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska 2025

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN ALASKA
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Alaska. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

Key Takeaways

  • Many affordable colleges in Alaska offer specialized programs in fields like environmental science, wildlife biology, and arctic engineering, giving students the opportunity to engage in hands-on research and fieldwork in Alaska’s diverse ecosystems.
  • Alaska’s top affordable colleges prioritize serving Indigenous and rural students by offering culturally relevant programs, flexible course formats (including distance education), and support services that address the unique challenges of attending college in remote areas.
  • The most affordable colleges in Alaska provide significant financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs, making higher education accessible to a wide range of students.

Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska in 2025

  1. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  2. University of Alaska Anchorage
  3. University of Alaska Southeast
  4. Iḷisaġvik College
  5. Alaska Bible College

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Alaska saw no change in ranking positions. This was a result of the schools in the ranking making similar improvements to their curriculum, internship opportunities, and other program features.

There are 5 colleges and universities in Alaska with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Alaska is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. #1

    University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Fairbanks , AK
    #1 Best Grad School in Alaska 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Alaska 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #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

    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
    Compare school
  2. #2

    University of Alaska Anchorage

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

    Compare school
  3. #3

    University of Alaska Southeast

    Juneau , AK
    #3 Best Colleges in Alaska 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Alaska 2024 #2 Best Online Associate Degrees in Alaska 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    63%

    Graduation

    25%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Alaska Southeast

    Cost of Degree: $8,820
    Expenses: $20,168
    Starting Salary: $39,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 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
    Compare school
  4. #4

    Iḷisaġvik College

    Barrow , AK
    #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Iḷisaġvik College known for?

    Iḷisaġvik College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  6. #5

    Alaska Bible College

    Palmer , AK
    #2 Best Christian Colleges in Alaska 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    <1K

    What is Alaska Bible College known for?

    Alaska Bible College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
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Alaska’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive
  1. Iḷisaġvik College
  2. University of Alaska Southeast
  3. University of Alaska Fairbanks
  4. University of Alaska Anchorage
  5. Alaska Bible College
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