by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Alaska, it can be hard to know where to start. We have ranked **4** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 4 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal college depends on your goals. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our tool College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Explore the leading colleges below:
Leading the list is University Of Alaska Anchorage, our #1 college in Alaska. Located in Anchorage, AK, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. About 28% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,053 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Alaska Southeast one of the top colleges in Alaska. Based in Juneau, AK, University Of Alaska Southeast is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 21%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $63,014. The median student debt is $20,458.
Out of the 4 colleges in Alaska in this year's ranking, Alaska Pacific University landed the #3 spot. Located in Anchorage, AK, Alaska Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Alaska Pacific University posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,760.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Alaska Fairbanks one of the top colleges in Alaska. Set in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. University Of Alaska Fairbanks graduates 39% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,963. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Ilisagvik College, which ranked #5 this year. Ilisagvik College is a public school based in Barrow, AK. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,260.
Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot in Alaska this year. Set in Seward, AK, Avtec Alaskas Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Median early-career earnings reach $38,191.
Alaska Career College landed the #7 spot in Alaska this year. This private for-profit school is set in Anchorage, AK. Median early-career earnings reach $37,258. Students borrow a median of $13,016 to complete a degree here.
Charter College Anchorage did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Anchorage, AK, Charter College Anchorage is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,341 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,123. Graduates carry a median of $19,411 in student loans.
Alaska Christian College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Soldotna, AK, Alaska Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,740.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.