University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK 99508
About University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage is a public research university in Anchorage, Alaska, serving roughly 7,212 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 66.52% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $51,871 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- University of Alaska Anchorage charges 40% above the national public median tuition ($7,738).
- Versus the Alaska median, sticker tuition is 16% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 29.71%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $51,871.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at University of Alaska Anchorage is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 748% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
University of Alaska Anchorage awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 119 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Anchorage | $7,738 | $15,301 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Alaska (state median) | $9,198 | — | 8 |
| Urban (City) (locale median) | $15,200 | $20,053 | 1,346 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is University of Alaska Anchorage really?
Key findings
- University of Alaska Anchorage charges 40% above the national public median tuition ($7,738).
- Versus the Alaska median, sticker tuition is 16% below.
University of Alaska Anchorage tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $7,738
Finding University of Alaska Anchorage charges 40% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $7,738. That is 40% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Alaska median ($9,198), sticker tuition is 16% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 35% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at University of Alaska Anchorage versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at University of Alaska Anchorage versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at University of Alaska Anchorage is $15,301.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $15,301 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). Versus urban (city) campuses, net price runs $4,752 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At University of Alaska Anchorage, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
University of Alaska Anchorage: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for University of Alaska Anchorage—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$7,738
Out-of-state tuition
$21,322
Avg. net price
$15,301
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $11,582 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $13,401 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $16,662 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,826 |
| $110,001+ | $20,975 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $30,952. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What University of Alaska Anchorage is known for
Top program completions
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies246
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse140
- Pre-Nursing Studies82
- Business Administration and Management, General67
- Psychology, General62
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 46% of admitted students enrolled.
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is University of Alaska Anchorage a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
University of Alaska Anchorage is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for University of Alaska Anchorage.
Campus
Location
Anchorage, AK
City / state
- ZIP
- 99508
- NCES locale
- City
Compared with Urban (City) campuses nationally, net price is 24% below the median for Urban (City) campuses ($20,053 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Far West
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Size
Enrollment
7,212
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 13,151
- Graduate
- 640
- Full-time share
- 53%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$20,210
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 18.46%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for University of Alaska Anchorage.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Alaska Anchorage was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Alaska Anchorage in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,147 | $15,206 | $8,160 |
| 2014 | $5,494 | $16,466 | $8,661 |
| 2015 | $5,545 | $17,177 | $9,028 |
| 2016 | $5,784 | $17,990 | $12,680 |
| 2017 | $6,690 | $19,494 | $13,378 |
| 2018 | $8,580 | $24,762 | $13,819 |
| 2019 | $8,103 | $28,084 | $12,995 |
| 2020 | $8,622 | $25,228 | $11,726 |
| 2021 | $8,622 | $25,228 | $12,531 |
| 2022 | $7,508 | $21,635 | $10,978 |
| 2023 | $7,566 | $21,693 | $13,780 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Score distribution is not available for this institution.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Alaska Anchorage reported total enrollment of about 7,212 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (47.7%), Two or More Races (12.7%), and Asian (12.3%). About 18.46% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 38.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
53.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Alaska Anchorage in 2024 is 7,212 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 13,151 students. Graduate enrollment is about 640 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
70.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
13.67% 100% Completion Time
29.71% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 13.67% of students graduating from University of Alaska Anchorage completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 36% male / 64% female
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 18% male / 82% female
- Pre-Nursing Studies: 13% male / 87% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
University of Alaska Anchorage graduates earn a median of $51,871 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of University of Alaska Anchorage.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $51,871. Median federal loan debt: $20,210. Average net price used in cost models: $15,301.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway University of Alaska Anchorage graduates report median earnings of $51,871 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for University of Alaska Anchorage.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (119 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at University of Alaska Anchorage.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for University of Alaska Anchorage graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for University of Alaska Anchorage—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$93.8M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Alaska median 1.8× the median ($52.4M)
- Far West median 5.6× the median ($16.8M)
- U.S. median 3.6× the median ($26.4M)
- Alaska median 0.26× the median ($53,229)
- Far West median 1.9× the median ($7,260)
- U.S. median 1.1× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 52.9%
- Alaska median 1.2 pp above median (51.7%)
- Far West median 7.3 pp above median (45.7%)
- U.S. median 5.0 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $10,110
- Alaska median 1.3× the median ($7,919)
- Far West median near the median ($9,635)
- U.S. median 1.3× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $16,384
- Alaska median 0.89× the median ($18,401)
- Far West median 2.3× the median ($7,030)
- U.S. median 2.2× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
University of Alaska Anchorage at a glance
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution in Anchorage, AK, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal StudiesRegistered Nursing/Registered NursePre-Nursing Studies
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian47.7%Two or More Races12.7%Asian12.3%
Schools near University of Alaska Anchorage
Other campuses in Anchorage, AK when available, plus nearby institutions in Alaska.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Alaska, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Alaska Anchorage located?
University of Alaska Anchorage is located in Anchorage, AK.
What is University of Alaska Anchorage's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Alaska Anchorage is 66.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 4,277 applicants and 2,845 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is University of Alaska Anchorage's tuition?
University of Alaska Anchorage tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $7,738 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $15,301 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does University of Alaska Anchorage cost?
Reported tuition is $7,738 and average net price is $15,301 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $14,216 annually.
What explains University of Alaska Anchorage's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($15,301), completion (29.7% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($51,871). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at University of Alaska Anchorage?
University of Alaska Anchorage reports undergraduate enrollment of about 13,151 students, White (47.7%), Two or More Races (12.7%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Alaska Anchorage?
About 38.9% of students at University of Alaska Anchorage are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of University of Alaska Anchorage earn?
Median earnings are $42,313 six years after entry and $51,871 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Alaska Anchorage?
The 150%-time completion rate is 29.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Alaska Anchorage students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,210.
Is University of Alaska Anchorage public or private?
University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution located in Anchorage, AK.
Is University of Alaska Anchorage an HBCU?
No. University of Alaska Anchorage is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Alaska college profile
- Alaska college costs
- Alaska colleges by ROI
- University of Alaska Anchorage vs University of Alaska Fairbanks vs Charter College
- Anchorage, Alaska city profile
- Far West regional profile
- Urban (City) college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Alaska
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.