Best Colleges in Alaska – 2024

June 26, 2024

There are only seven four-year colleges in the state of Alaska, known more for its wildlife and natural beauty than university life. There are only a handful of two-year schools as well. The following list of the best colleges in Alaska is meant to give you an in-depth look at each prominent school within a state that offers very few postsecondary options The data in each profile card is intended to give a better sense of the academic offerings and outcomes at each institution. If you happen to be a resident, you have public options that will allow you to stay close to home for college without sacrificing a single ounce of quality, while simultaneously maximizing the value of your tuition dollar.

Methodology

Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges in Alaska. As you’ll see, some schools with spectacular (and deserved) reputations simply do not happen to fare well on metrics such as student-to-faculty ratio or spending per student. We understand that a list based solely on prestige/general reputation would look different than what you will find below.

Best Colleges in Alaska

Here’s a quick preview of the 3 Alaska-based institutions that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) University of Alaska – Fairbanks

2) Alaska Pacific University

3) University of Alaska – Anchorage

All of the schools profiled below have a history of sending graduates to the most desirable employers and graduate schools in the country. College Transitions will provide you with—when available—each school’s:

Enrollment
Cost of Attendance
Acceptance Rate
Median SAT
Median ACT
Retention Rate
Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Check out our Best Colleges by State section for a look at top schools in other areas on the United States.

#1 Best College in Alaska

University of Alaska – Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska

Academic Highlights: The University of Alaska-Fairbanks stands as a premier research institution, offering students more than 180 degree programs across nine colleges and schools. As a land-, sea-, and space-grant university, UAF provides unparalleled opportunities for hands-on learning and research, with 44% of graduates completing research projects, theses, or honors programs. The university maintains an exceptional 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention. 78% of classes feature fewer than 20 students, fostering close-knit academic communities. Drawing a diverse student body from 49 states and 58 countries, UAF combines global perspectives with its unique Arctic location to create a truly distinctive educational experience.

Program Outcomes: UAF graduates find strong career opportunities with leading employers such as the State of Alaska, the U.S. Army, Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the University of Alaska system. The university maintains deep ties to the region, with the majority of alumni choosing to build their careers and lives in Alaska, particularly in the Greater Fairbanks area, where they contribute to the state’s workforce and communities. This regional impact underscores UAF’s role as a vital institution for Alaska’s economy.

Enrollment: 5,638
Cost of Attendance: $25,340 (In-State); $39,452 (Out-of-State)
Median SAT: 1160
Median ACT: 21
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 33%

#2 Best College in Alaska

Alaska Pacific University

Anchorage, Alaska

Academic Highlights: Alaska Pacific University delivers an intensely personalized education through its innovative block schedule system, where students focus on one intensive course at a time. With an exceptional 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 100% of classes under 50 students, APU’s 12 specialized majors emphasize hands-on learning through fieldwork, research, and community engagement. This unique approach blends classroom theory with real-world application in one of the world’s most dynamic natural laboratories.

Professional Outcomes: APU graduates play vital roles in Alaska’s key institutions, with strong representation at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the Anchorage School District, and the State of Alaska. Most alumni choose to build their careers in the Greater Anchorage area, applying their place-based education to address Arctic challenges and opportunities, demonstrating APU’s success in developing leaders who combine professional expertise with a deep commitment to Alaska’s communities and environment.

Enrollment: 437
Cost of Attendance: $35,892
Median SAT: Test Blind
Median ACT: Test Blind
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 68%
Graduation Rate: 41%

#3 Best College in Alaska

University of Alaska – Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska

Academic Highlights: As Alaska’s largest university, the University of Alaska-Anchorage provides students with access to more than 100 academic programs that combine rigorous coursework with real-world industry connections and distinctive Arctic research opportunities. The university’s exceptional 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personalized mentorship, while undergraduate research programs allow students to work alongside faculty mentors on meaningful projects. Drawing a globally diverse student body from 89 countries, UAA fosters an educational environment that blends academic excellence with Alaska’s unique cultural and geographic advantages.

Program Outcomes: UAA graduates are highly sought after by leading regional employers, including the State of Alaska, the Anchorage School District, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, the U.S. Air Force, and Southcentral Foundation. The university plays a vital role in developing Alaska’s workforce, with the majority of alumni choosing to establish their careers in the state, particularly in the Greater Anchorage area, where they contribute to the region’s economic and community development.

Enrollment: 10,162
Cost of Attendance: $29,580 (In-State); $43,707 (Out-of-State)
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 21
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 28%

We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges in Alaska to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:

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Best Colleges

Andrew Belasco

A licensed counselor and published researcher, Andrew's experience in the field of college admissions and transition spans two decades. He has previously served as a high school counselor, consultant and author for Kaplan Test Prep, and advisor to U.S. Congress, reporting on issues related to college admissions and financial aid.