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Colleges in and near Anchorage

Anchorage is home to four colleges, with 9,557 students on campus

The University of Alaska Anchorage (7,208 students on campus) and Charter College (1,604) are inside the town. About 5% of Anchorage’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Alaska (5%).

University of Alaska AnchorageCharter College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Anchorage. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
0
none; nearest 17.4 mi
Nearest college
17.4 mi
Alaska Pacific University
Residents in college
5%
About the same as AK (5%)
Nearest public university
18.1 mi
University of Alaska Anchorage · $7,738 in-state
Median household income
$103K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Anchorage

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 18.5 milesTogether they have 8,812 students on campus.In-state price at University of Alaska AnchorageLiving in Alaska, the University of Alaska Anchorage charges $7,738 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $21,322. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 5% of residentsAbout the same as Alaska (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Nearest college

The nearest college to Anchorage

All 0 are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Anchorage.

10 mi20 miAlaska Pacific UniversityAnchorage
University or collegeCommunity college
Alaska Pacific UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 490 on campus · In Anchorage96%admitted$22knet price47%graduate$54kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Anchorage’s median household income ($103,284) falls.

University of Alaska AnchorageIn Anchorage · sticker $24,096$18,826a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage30% graduate$52k earnings$20k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Anchorage

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Anchorage’s 4 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Health professions 33%Business 12%Liberal arts 11%Mechanics & repair 8%Psychology 4%Engineering tech 2%Everything else 30%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingUniversity of Alaska Anchorage · 130 graduates a year
$93k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsUniversity of Alaska Anchorage · 63 graduates a year
$63k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralUniversity of Alaska Anchorage · 50 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Biological and Physical SciencesUniversity of Alaska Anchorage · 37 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Public HealthUniversity of Alaska Anchorage · 37 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesCharter College · 29 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Social WorkUniversity of Alaska Anchorage · 28 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsUniversity of Alaska Anchorage · 27 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Anchorage

Is Anchorage a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Anchorage residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Alaska (5). The largest campus in the town, the University of Alaska Anchorage, has 7,208 students on campus.

What colleges are in Anchorage?

The University of Alaska Anchorage, Charter College, Alaska Pacific University and Alaska Career College are inside the town.

How much does the University of Alaska Anchorage cost if we live in Alaska?

Tuition and fees are $7,738 a year in-state and $21,322 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,582 (under $30,000 income) to $20,975 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Anchorage. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →