Best Colleges in Alaska 2023

Ten accredited universities as well as other vocational and technical schools are located in Alaska. It can be difficult to select the school that best fits your academic and professional goals when there are so many to choose from.

When comparing institutions, prospective students should take a number of things into accounts such as the location, cost, program length, and the availability of scholarships.

In this article, we have put up a list of the best colleges in Alaska to assist you in choosing where to enroll.

Information on factors including financial aid offerings, available courses of study, and general admission requirements is included in our ranking.

Also, each institution on this list is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Below are the top colleges and universities in Alaska.

Best Colleges in Alaska

1. Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University provides a top-notch education that respects Alaska’s ignoble past. Students at the institution can prepare for a variety of vocations in business management, information technology, teaching, and healthcare in addition to majoring in subjects like Environmental Sciences and Alaska Native Governance.

Although a few professional studies courses are offered online, Alaska Pacific University does not currently offer any entirely online programs.

Students applying for undergraduate admission must have a high school diploma, although the university does not require test results. While each graduate school has its own prerequisites, the majority of them include letters of recommendation, a bachelor’s degree, and an essay.

Those who qualify for the Alaska Pacific University Promise Tuition Grant pay no tuition at all since it helps students in need by covering any gaps in federal and state financial aid.

Based on academic merit, there are further awards available. For instance, the Atwood Distinguished Scholar program offers $7,000 in yearly financial help to students with an ACT score over 30 and a GPA above 3.85.

2. University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest university in the state by enrollment, enrolling almost 18,000 students across four community campuses.

Legal studies, global supply chain management, educational leadership, and accounting are among the subjects taught by approximately 1,200 faculty members.

The institution provides associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in addition to occupational endorsement certificates. The only medical school in the state is located at UAA.

UAA offers many of its courses online and in an asynchronous style so that students from all around the state can have access to excellent educational opportunities.

The support services offered to on-campus students, such as career counseling, academic advising, internship and apprenticeship opportunities, and tutoring are also advantageous to online students.

Candidates for the bachelor’s program are required to have a 2.5 GPA and either a high school diploma or GED. Applicants with lower GPAs may also be granted conditional admission. Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, and the majority of programs demand a GPA of at least 3.0.

3. University of Alaska Southeast 

The University of Alaska Southeast provides degree programs in subjects like maritime training, power technology, social science, and business both on-campus and online.

Students at the university make use of research collaborations between the university and institutions like the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit and the Alaska Climate Science Center through coursework and chances for work-based learning.

UAS offers associate, bachelor, and professional certificate programs for students. Although UAS does not currently offer PhD degrees, students may pursue a master’s in teaching or public administration. Additionally, students can major in fields like healthcare and fisheries from the ease and comfort of their homes thanks to online programs.

A high school diploma is a requirement for admission to the UAS bachelor’s degree. Applicants with a high school GPA under 3.0 must also submit their ACT or SAT scores. A bachelor’s degree is required for graduate applications, and the public administration program additionally requires three letters of recommendation.

4. University of Alaska Fairbanks

At UAF, over 8,500 students annually seek graduate and undergraduate degrees in subjects like social work, marine science, civil engineering, and Alaskan native languages.

Learners can enroll in more than 350 asynchronous and fully online courses in almost sixty different fields of study through the university’s e-Campus.

Candidates for undergraduate programs must have a high school degree and upload their SAT or ACT scores. A bachelor’s degree is required for graduate applicants, and they must also satisfy any additional entrance requirements set forth by their school of choice, such as a GRE score or a minimum GPA.

To further lower the overall cost of education for students, UAF also provides more than 450 additional scholarships in addition to a significant tuition discount for residents of Alaska. Active-duty military members are also exempt from paying any course fees or application fees at the university.