University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs in Alaska.

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According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of employed Alaskans as of October 2021 was reported to be 349,800. This number has remained relative steady throughout the year. The unemployment rate has also remained similarly steady at around 21,500 unemployed workers in the state. The overall unemployment rate is 6.1%, just under the national unemployment rate of 6.7%. Most industries in Alaska have either seen employment growth or it has remained steady, meaning they have not added nor lost jobs in those industries. The exceptions are in the government, which saw a decrease of 2.6%, professional and business services, which dropped 0.04%, and construction, which decreased by 7.6%, though the latter job losses are most likely due to the inclement weather Alaska endures during the winter. Overall, however, Alaska’s job numbers were 2.8% higher in 2021 than in 2020, but still below the number of jobs added in 2019. Alaska has a shortage of workers in almost every industry.

Financially, Alaskan workers earn more hourly than their counterparts in other parts of the United States. For example, nurses in Alaska make $45.34 per hour, compared to the national average of $38 per hour. The average salary of an Alaskan worker is $34 per hour, which equates to $69,750 annually.


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Online Higher Education in Alaska


  • How much is college tuition in Alaska?
    It depends on the school. For undergraduate degrees, the University of Fairbanks’ tuition and fees are $25,838. However, at Illsagvik College, tuition is $4,780. The average tuition cost in Alaska is $7,888 for Alaska residents and $20,312 for out-of-state students. For graduate school, Alaska Pacific University has the lowest tuition and fees at $20,760, while the University of Alaska Southeast has the highest at $25,402.
  • How many students are enrolled at colleges and universities in Alaska?
    As of the 2020-2021 academic school year, there were 22,291 students attending school in Alaska. The vast majority (20,252) are undergraduate students, with the remaining 2,039 students being enrolled in graduate programs. More students are attending part-time (13,119) than full-time (9,172) and the majority of students are female.
  • How many students attend online classes?
    For the 2020-2021 academic year, 15,232 students attended classes exclusively online, and another 4,680 attended both on-campus and online courses.
  • What are some of the most popular degrees to get online?
    Some of the more popular programs include Business, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Education, Information Technology, and Communications.

Our School Rankings Methodology


To complete our rankings, we consider the following criteria:

  • Online Availability:
    Our rankings show if programs can be completed online or if on-campus classes are required.
  • Graduation Rate:
    We check the length of time students needed to complete programs and whether or not that timeframe is within the standard four to six years for an undergraduate degree.
  • Admission Rate:
    This rate shows how competitive a school actually is. High admission rates mean it’s easier to be accepted, while a lower rate means the school is more selective of its students.
  • Retention Rate:
    We check how many students return after their first year of classes.
  • Net Price:
    This is the total amount a student will have to pay out of pocket for their education. This amount is the balance of tuition and fees after grants, scholarships, and work study credits have been applied.
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
    The smaller the ratio, the smaller the classes. Many students prefer smaller classes, while other students don’t mind the larger class groups that come with a higher student-to-faculty ratio.

What are the Best Online Associate & Community College Programs in Alaska?


For people considering making career changes or who are ready to further their education, an online program from a community college could be a good investment. Choosing to go online is ideal for those who want to attend school while juggling work and family obligations. And choosing an associate or certificate degree over a bachelor’s degree is a great way for a person to determine if going back to school is right for them, as well as determining the best degree program without sinking a lot of cost into the endeavor. Our rankings only include schools with accredited programs, so if a person decides they want to pursue additional education beyond the certificate or associate degree, many of not all of their credits will transfer to a four-year school or program.


Best Online Colleges in Alaska


1
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $8,640
    • Out-of-State: $22,752
  • Net Price: $9,450
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 70%
  • Graduation Rate: 39%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,607
  • Undergrad Students: 5,636
  • Graduate Students: 971
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
2

Alaska Pacific University

Score: 78.21

  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $20,760
    • Out-of-State: $20,760
  • Net Price: $22,388
  • Acceptance Rate: 99%
  • Retention Rate: 82%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%
  • Total Enrollment: 595
  • Undergrad Students: 490
  • Graduate Students: 105
  • Grads Salary: $92,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 8:1
  • Alaska Pacific University
3
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,960
    • Out-of-State: $21,096
  • Net Price: $9,823
  • Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • Retention Rate: 65%
  • Graduation Rate: 25%
  • Total Enrollment: 1,923
  • Undergrad Students: 1,724
  • Graduate Students: 199
  • Grads Salary: $71,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • University of Alaska Southeast
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings
4
  • Undergraduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,566
    • Out-of-State: $21,693
  • Net Price: $15,609
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Retention Rate: 66%
  • Graduation Rate: 30%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,464
  • Undergrad Students: 9,925
  • Graduate Students: 539
  • Grads Salary: $80,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • University of Alaska Anchorage
View All Their Popular Majors and Rankings

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