4 Best Colleges in Alaska
What’s Covered:
If you have ever dreamed of going to college in the state with the tallest peak in North America, thousands of glaciers, a famous history of mining for gold, and opportunities to see the Northern Lights, Alaska could be the state for you to spend the next four years of your life.
While Alaska doesn’t have as many higher education offerings as states in the continental U.S., we have compiled a list of several excellent options in the state.
Our Ranking Methodology
When making our list of the best colleges in The Last Frontier, we mainly focused on school quality, outcomes, and return on investment (ROI). In addition, we examined data such as retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median earnings, and cost of attendance, among many others. Students can see our full rankings here.
Best Colleges in Alaska
1. Alaska Pacific University
Location: Anchorage, AK
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Middle 50% SAT: 960-1140
Middle 50% ACT: 21-27
Undergrad Enrollment: 530
Alaska Pacific University was founded by Peter Gordon Gould, a member of the Unangax tribe from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, with the purpose of educating Alaska Natives. The university remains committed to this mission, and to taking advantage of Alaska’s remarkable natural resources. Students have access to the Kellogg Campus, an 800-acre farm owned by the university, and the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team will feature 8 APU skiers at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.
Learn more about Alaska Pacific University and what it takes to get accepted.
2. University of Alaska Fairbanks | UAF
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Middle 50% SAT: 1030-1250
Middle 50% ACT:17-26
Undergrad Enrollment: 5,912
Just 120 miles from the Arctic Circle, UAF has dozens of facilities that allow students to participate in research on ocean acidification, the health of Alaska Natives, volcanic activity, and more. In publications focused specifically on climate change, UAF ranks in the top 11, out of over 11,000 universities around the world, for total number of research citations.
Learn more about UAF and what it takes to get accepted.
3. University of Alaska Southeast
Location: Juneau, AK
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Middle 50% SAT: 970-1220
Middle 50% ACT: 18-25
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,886
At University of Alaska Southeast, you’ll have opportunities not only to read Whalesong, the student newspaper, and take pictures with Spike the Humpback Whale, the school’s mascot, but also conduct research at the Sitka Whale Lab. The lab operates under the One Health principle, or “the idea that human, animal and environmental health are intrinsically connected and the health of each one affects the others.”
Learn more about University of Alaska Southeast and what it takes to get accepted.
4. University of Alaska Anchorage
Location: Anchorage, AK
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Middle 50% SAT: 1020-1220
Middle 50% ACT: 17-24
Undergrad Enrollment: 8,258
University of Alaska Anchorage has a variety of unique academic offerings, including degrees in Air Traffic Control, Aviation Administration, and Professional Piloting, as well as the Alaska Native Studies programs–all students, regardless of major, are required to complete three credits related to this discipline. The university also partners with the University of Washington and Willamette University in Oregon to offer accelerated law programs, which allow students to receive both a bachelor’s degree and a J.D. in 6 years, instead of the usual 7.
Learn more about University of Alaska Anchorage and what it takes to get accepted.
What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?
Wondering what your odds are of admission at one of the best colleges in Alaska? The overall acceptance rate for each school is listed above, but you may have a higher or lower chance of being accepted depending on your profile. Our chancing engine will give you more personalized odds at these schools, and any other.
Our chancing engine can also help you build a balanced school list of colleges inside and outside the Land of Enchantment. By providing your odds of acceptance, you can strategically assign safety, target, and reach schools and put yourself in the best position to get into a college that fits your needs and meets your expectations. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!
