University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Alaska Anchorage at a Glance
The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is a public university in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. UAA also administers four community campuses spread across Southcentral Alaska: Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak College, Matanuska–Susitna College, and Prince William Sound College. Between the community campuses and the main Anchorage campus, roughly 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are currently enrolled at UAA. It is Alaska's largest institution of higher learning and …
1954
72 years old
$375M
$375 million (system-wide) (2021)
10,796
10,162 undergrad · 634 grad
1,702 acres
Identity
Is University of Alaska Anchorage Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, University of Alaska Anchorage is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $51,871 — 4% below average — while paying $15,301/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 29% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Alaska Anchorage has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Alaska Anchorage compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #254 of 285 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #6 | CUNY Lehman College | 100 | $3,148 | $58,013 |
| #254 | University of Alaska Anchorage | 25 | $15,301 | $51,871 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Alaska Anchorage's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in AK.
Best Programs at University of Alaska Anchorage
The highest-earning program at University of Alaska Anchorage is Construction Management at $72,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $21,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Construction Management graduate from University of Alaska Anchorage earns $72,400, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $21,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,301/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management | $72,400 | $72,400 | N/A |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,700 | $70,700 | $24,870 |
| Civil Engineering | $57,700 | $57,700 | $24,569 |
| Engineering, General | $54,900 | $54,900 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $25,815 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,500 | $48,500 | $23,877 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,800 | $45,800 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,200 | $42,200 | $22,000 |
| Air Transportation | $41,600 | $41,600 | $23,295 |
| Psychology, General | $37,600 | $37,600 | $21,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,400 | $37,400 | $23,635 |
| Biology, General | $24,400 | $24,400 | $16,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,500 | $21,500 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in AK
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Anchorage, AK
- Student Body
- 7,212 students
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,301
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,871
- Median Student Debt
- $20,210