Online Schools and Colleges in Alaska
Accredited Degree Programs, Scholarships and Resources for Top Schools
Alaska is home to several universities and colleges, many of which offer online distance education programs. While just over 4,000 students are enrolled in Alaska’s private colleges and universities, almost 30,000 learners attend public and state schools. Thanks to online learning, prospective students from any state can explore these digital campuses as they search for the perfect place to obtain their higher education goals.
This page includes information on Alaska’s online college options and answers commonly asked questions about online degree programs in Alaska, including cost, transferring credits and accreditation.
Best Online Colleges in Alaska
Online schools and colleges in Alaska offer practical, ever-growing alternatives to on-campus learning. The number of students enrolled in online courses in Alaska outweighs the national average. Online degree programs often offer more flexible schedules and lower tuition costs than on-campus programs.
This guide covers important information for prospective online students, including tuition costs and other fees, financial aid opportunities, and student resources.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,962
- Out-of-state$22,980
- In-State$10,414
- Out-of-state$21,904
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled7,179
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
Alaska Pacific University
- Anchorage, AK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$20,350
- Out-of-state$20,350
- In-State$11,700
- Out-of-state$11,700
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled529
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alaska Southeast
- Juneau, AK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,888
- Out-of-state$22,736
- In-State$11,132
- Out-of-state$23,414
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance Rate61%
- Students Enrolled2,150
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
University of Alaska Anchorage
- Anchorage, AK
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,804
- Out-of-state$26,152
- In-State$11,286
- Out-of-state$23,738
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled12,766
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
How Can I Find Which Online Colleges Offer the Degree I’m Looking for in Alaska?
Prospective students can use websites such as U.S. News & World Report to determine the best-ranked online schools and programs. The following link also provides information on accredited Alaska colleges and universities.
How Much More Do College Grads in Alaska Make?
Professionals with a postsecondary degree typically enjoy more employment opportunities and higher salaries than professionals without a degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average salaries increase with a professional’s level of education. The following table outlines average nationwide salaries for various education levels.
| LESS THAN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE |
|---|---|---|
| $28,756 | $37,960 | $44,824 |
| BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|
| $62,296 | $74,568 | $94,900 |
Source: BLS
Paying for Online College in Alaska: Tuition and Financial Aid
Earning a degree requires a significant financial investment. However, students can take advantage of many financial aid opportunities to help offset the cost of a degree, such as loans, scholarships, and grants. Additionally, Alaska offers several opportunities for reduced tuition, including the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which offers tuition discounts to out-of-state students from participating states and institutions.
The following tables outline average undergraduate tuition and fees for public and private universities in the U.S. and Alaska.
| IN-STATE TUITION | OUT-OF-STATE TUITION | NATIONAL AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
| $7,924 | $20,061 | $9,037 (In-State)$25,657 (Out-of-State) |
| IN-STATE TUITION | OUT-OF-STATE TUITION | NATIONAL AVERAGE |
|---|---|---|
| $19,360 | N/A | $30,731 |
Cost Considerations for Online Students in Alaska
In addition to tuition, students should consider expenses like technology and textbook fees when weighing the overall cost of a degree. We highlight several of these expenses below.
Qualifying for In-State Tuition in Alaska
Online schools and colleges in Alaska feature various qualifications for in-state tuition. Traditionally, in-state students include those who reside in the state. However, students may qualify for in-state tuition through other means, such as reciprocity agreements or regional exchange agreements. Additionally, some programs allow all online students to pay in-state tuition, regardless of where they live. Students should research each prospective school to determine tuition requirements.
Paying for College in Alaska: Scholarships and Financial Aid
Online learners can take advantage of several financial aid opportunities to offset education expenses, such as scholarships, grants, and loans. Scholarships and loans are ideal as, unlike grants, they do not require repayment. We cover several grant and scholarship opportunities for Alaska students below.
Scholarships for Alaska College Students
Grants for Alaska College Students
The Importance of Accreditation for Online Colleges and Universities in Alaska
Students should consider accreditation status when researching prospective schools. Accreditation expands employment, education, and financial aid opportunities and indicates that a school meets high academic standards.
Regional and National Accreditation
Prospective students should look for a school’s accreditation status when researching potential programs. Accreditation expands employment, education, and financial aid opportunities and indicates that a school meets quality academic standards.
The U.S. Department of Education recognizes certain nongovernmental agencies as accrediting organizations. The Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) also approves and monitors accrediting agencies.
Subject-Specific Accreditation
Programs within a school may also receive accreditation. Programmatic accreditation indicates that a program meets high academic standards and adequately prepares students for the workforce. Students can research a program’s accreditation status through CHEA’s directory.
How to Know if Your School or Program is Accredited
Students can typically find a program or school’s accreditation status through the school’s website. Prospective students can also search CHEA’s accrediting directory or the Department of Education’s accrediting directory. Each of these organizations record accredited schools and programs, along with the corresponding agency.
Online College and Adult Education in Alaska
Online schools and colleges in Alaska offer a quality education in a flexible and accessible learning format, attracting many Alaska students to online programs, as the following table indicates.
By the Numbers: Adult Education in Alaska
Almost 22% of Alaska students took exclusively online courses in 2015.
Around 48% of Alaska students enrolled in at least one online course in 2015.
Business administration and management is the most common online bachelor’s degree in Alaska.
Source: Online Learning Survey
Adult Education Programs for Alaska Students
Online College Resources for Alaska Students
Current and prospective online students in Alaska can take advantage of a variety of helpful resources, which offer information on topics like financial aid opportunities, program availability, and student services.
