Online degree programs are increasing access to higher education for millions of Americans. In Alaska, for example, nearly half of college students are taking their classes exclusively online, and 80 percent are enrolled in at least one online class. Multiple schools within the University of Alaska system — as well as a handful of other colleges in the state — offer dozens of online degree options, no matter your degree level or how far you live from campus.
If you live in Alaska and online college seems like a possibility, it’s important to research. Which colleges and universities have the online programs you need to move your career forward? Which have the tuition and support services that you need to succeed? Read about the best online colleges in Alaska, and learn about popular online learning formats, financial aid options, and which careers provide the best opportunities for Alaska’s online college grads.
Best Online Colleges in Alaska: 2024 Rankings
The following school ranking showcases the top online colleges in Alaska for 2024. These programs stood above the rest for their overall quality, affordability, accreditation, and student support services. Use this list as a starting point for finding a school and program that meets your unique academic, professional, and personal needs.
- Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
- Assign Weightings
- Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
- For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
- Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
- Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
- Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
- Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
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Fairbanks, AlaskaPublic $$
Whether you want to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree, as well as a certificate or occupational endorsement, the University of Alaska Fairbanks has a fully online program to meet your specific needs and goals. Although you have the opportunity to work on your degree independently, you are never left alone with your academic challenges. As a recipient of the Quality Matters’ Online Learner Support Certification, the school has demonstrated that it offers the assistance students need throughout their virtual studies, which means you have access to admissions counselors, academic advisors, student success specialists, and technical support professionals who understand the challenges of online students and work toward providing the help you need. In addition, the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a military-friendly school that offers support for veterans and students currently in the military.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
- Credits: 60
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $234/credit
- Mode: Fully or partially online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Marine Sciences
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $289/credit
- Mode: Fully or partially online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Master of Security and Disaster Management
- Credits: 30
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $539/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Programs
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
11/1
-
Juneau, AlaskaPublic $$
When you enroll in an online degree program at the University of Alaska Southeast, you can expect to get the attention you need inside and outside the virtual classroom to help you get through your education. The school offers small class sizes, so you don’t have to worry about being treated like you’re just a number because the professors are being stretched too thin. In addition, you may have the opportunity to participate in independent research projects under the supervision of a faculty member to enhance your learning and build skills that will help you in your career. Also, outside the classroom, you have access to vital student services, including tutoring and comprehensive academic support.
Program Highlights:
Bachelor of Arts in English
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $234-$282/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $234-$282/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Master of Public Administration
- Credits: 36
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $513/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Programs
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
10/1
-
Anchorage, AlaskaPublic $$
As an online first-year student at the University of Alaska Anchorage, you get access to a first-year advisor who will help you with class registration, answer your questions about the school and your degree program, and connect you with resources that can help with your academic, physical, social, and emotional needs as you navigate through your first year at the school. This is a great way to get started on your journey as an online student, whether you enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in history, anthropology, human services, or nursing. In addition, you can take advantage of other support offered by the school, such as technical support if you need help with the UA Blackboard learning management system, as well as the productivity tools you may use, like UAOnline and Microsoft Office 365.
Program Highlights:
Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management
- Credits: 61
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $234/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: American Council for Construction Education
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
- Credits: 120
- Length: Four years
- Cost: $234-$282/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Master of Education in Teaching and Learning
- Credits: 30
- Length: Two years
- Cost: $513/credit
- Mode: Fully online
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Online Programs
Academic Counseling
Yes
Career Placement
Yes
Student/Faculty Ratio
13/1
or
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
Affordability
Support Services
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
Online Learning Formats at Alaska Colleges
Online colleges in Alaska differ not just in terms of what you’ll learn but also in how you learn. While all online schools allow you to learn virtually, they often differ in their online delivery formats.
Fully Online vs. Hybrid or Blended
When an online college in Alaska says a program is fully online or 100% online, they’re saying that all classroom learning requirements can be completed online without any in-person requirements. However, some schools still have in-person internship, clinical, practicum, or other experiential learning requirements.
A hybrid or blended program or course, on the other hand, incorporates in-person instruction along with online instruction. Many schools use the terms hybrid and blended interchangeably, but they can mean different things. Hybrid refers to course components that replace certain in-person instruction. Blended refers to in-person and online components working together to provide quality education.
Degrees requiring hands-on skills typically are hybrid or blended. Students who cannot meet in-person course requirements should look for fully online programs.
BA in Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage (Blended/Hybrid)
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage offers maximum learning flexibility to meet the needs of almost any prospective student. Even though the degree can be completed fully online or fully on campus, many students choose a blended format. This allows them to complete their general education and introductory-level psychology courses online while they work and meet other personal responsibilities. These classes might be synchronous through videoconferencing technology like Zoom or asynchronous. Students can then take more advanced courses in person, especially helpful when it comes to research opportunities. To help with research, students have a faculty mentor, access to research facilities, and the opportunity for research funding. To further tailor their education, students can minor in children’s health or complete a behavior analysis concentration.
BA in Communication at University of Anchorage Fairbanks (Fully-Online)
The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers its Bachelor of Arts in Communications degree fully online to those who don’t have the time or ability to attend classes on campus. However, students can also take some or all their courses on campus. The University of Alaska Fairbanks allows many course requirements to be completed asynchronously, so you attend class on your schedule. However, to facilitate peer learning, professors may have synchronous requirements, such as live video chats.
Even though students may never leave their homes to earn their degrees, there are still many opportunities to connect, including small class sizes, specialized projects, and participation in the university newspaper and/or newscast program. Students can further customize their education through an Indigenous Dispute Resolution or Dispute Resolution emphasis.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
Online accredited colleges in Alaska allow you to take your classes from anywhere there’s an internet connection. Some require you to be present at a set time, such as to watch a live lecture. This is called synchronous learning. Alternatively, some offer asynchronous learning where you complete assignments or watch recorded lectures at any time that works for you. The best online colleges in Alaska offer both formats. Classes for students who need to work while in school are more likely offered asynchronously to accommodate their busy schedules. Below are examples of programs offering synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities to help understand how they work.
AAS in General Business at Kodiak College (Asynchronous)
Many degree programs from Kodiak College allow students to complete their education requirements asynchronously through online, self-paced learning formats. The Associate of Applied Science in General Business at Kodiak College is one example. Students master the basic principles of marketing, finance, accounting, ethics, and the law to hit the ground running to almost any position in business. They learn effective communication skills as well as management principles for guiding others to achieve organizational goals.
Even though Kodiak College is its own institution, its online courses are through UAOnline, which offers distance education services to member schools of the University of Alaska school system. One of the great features of Kodiak College is that its tuition is the same whether students are in-state or out-of-state residents.
AS in Allied Health at Iḷisaġvik College (Synchronous)
Iḷisaġvik College has several distance learning options with most offered synchronously through Moodle, a web conferencing system providing class instruction in real-time. The Associate of Science degree in Allied Health from Iḷisaġvik College is perfect for students who want to move into specific allied health careers, like nursing, pharmacy, and paramedic medical technology. This program offers a plethora of electives, so students can customize their degrees to fit their professional goals. The program requires 60 credits to graduate, including 37 general education credits, but almost all the major-related coursework (23 credits) can be chosen from a select group of allied health courses.
Part-Time vs. Full-Time
Most colleges and universities in Alaska offer both full-time and part-time programs. Part-time programs are popular for schools located in more remote areas where getting to class is more difficult. Online part-time programs are common, too, regardless of the school’s location because of the inherently flexible learning that’s possible with online coursework.
One of the biggest reasons you might enroll in an online program in Alaska is to learn as quickly or slowly as you please. This allows you to fit courses into your busy schedule or to take as many classes as possible to graduate as quickly as possible. Most online programs in Alaska have both part-time and full-time program tracks. If the ability to pick one or the other isn’t possible, it’s likely because the program is a cohort style or some classes are only available once during the year.
AA in General Studies at Kenai Peninsula College (Part-Time)
The Associate of Arts in General Studies is the only fully online program from Kenai Peninsula College. Students can earn their degrees without completing any in-person requirements or even visiting campus. This 60-credit program is for students wanting to transfer to a four-year program to earn their bachelor’s degrees. The curriculum covers many general education areas, including fine arts, communication, mathematics, and natural sciences. There are also plenty of elective options, giving students the chance to take the necessary prerequisites for their bachelor’s degrees. The cost per credit for in-state students starts at $234, and out-of-state students pay $800 per credit.
BA in Elementary Education at Alaska Bible College (Full-Time)
The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at Alaska Bible College is for those who want to enjoy the typical college experience but in a religious setting. Many program requirements must be completed on-campus, though some courses have online elements that make distance learning possible. To complete this 120-credit program at a full-time pace, students need to take at least 12 credits per semester, but they need to take 15 if they want to graduate in four years. Tuition for full-time students is about $5,300 per semester. Upon completion of the program, graduates are ready for their initial teaching certification for students in kindergarten to fifth grade.
Reviewing Accreditation for Online Colleges in Alaska
Accreditation is important because it ensures you’ll receive a quality education. It also means that future employers and graduate schools will recognize your degree. Accreditation is also important because most financial aid is only available to students attending accredited schools. In addition, completing an accredited program is usually required for professions requiring licensing or certification.
Accreditation exists at the programmatic and institutional (regional) levels. At a minimum, schools need institutional accreditation. For most Alaska colleges and universities, the regional accrediting body is the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Some also have accreditation from national agencies.
Some programs are also eligible for programmatic accreditation from a specialized accrediting body. For example, the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits education programs, and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredit business-related degrees and programs. To learn more about how accreditation works, visit our accreditation guide.
What’s the Cost of an Online College Degree in Alaska?
Getting a college degree in Alaska is slightly more affordable than in much of the U.S. The average cost in the U.S. for undergraduate, in-state tuition (plus fees) was $9,375 for the 2020-2021 school year. However, the average cost of undergraduate, in-state (plus fees) tuition in Alaska for the 2020-2021 school year was just $8,849.
The cost of online tuition is a little cheaper at many schools because they charge a special distance education tuition rate comparable to in-state residency tuition rates. Alternatively, schools often use in-state residency tuition rates for online courses. Many accredited online programs from public colleges in Alaska follow this latter approach. The following chart shows how online learning is usually the same price, or cheaper, than on-campus learning for Alaska students.
| School Name | On-Campus In-State | On-Campus Out-of-State | Online In-State | Online Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kodiak College | $260.00/credit | $260.00/credit | $260.00/credit | $260.00/credit |
| Mat-Su College | $255.70/credit | $821.70/credit | $255.70/credit | $821.70/credit |
| Prince William Sound College | $266.00/credit | $266.00/credit | $266.00/credit | $266.00/credit |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | $319.00/credit | $885.00/credit | $348.00/credit | $348.00/credit |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | $270.50/credit | $836.50/credit | $270.50/credit | $270.50/credit |
* Costs include tuition and required fees of undergraduate programs.
Financial Aid Options for Online Students in Alaska
If you’re wondering how you’re going to pay for your education, there’s some good news. In addition to the financial aid options available to any student in the U.S., prospective Alaska college students have several financial aid sources exclusive to just them.
- Alaska Supplemental Education Loan (ASEL)
- Alaska Education Grant (AEG): Awards of $500 to $4,000 per year to students demonstrating financial need
- University of Alaska General Scholarship: For students enrolled in one of the three University of Alaska (UA) System schools (UA Anchorage, UA Fairbanks, and UA Southeast)
Learn more about how financial aid works through our financial aid page. We also have a page devoted to gift-based aid like scholarships.
Alaska’s Most In-Demand Post-College Careers
If you know you want to enroll in an accredited online college in Alaska but aren’t quite sure what to study, consider entering a fast-growing field with tremendous demand. Pick the right field, and you can expect a job offer before you graduate. Check out the following chart to see which careers are in high demand in Alaska.
| Career | Job Growth (2020-2030) | Annual Mean Wage (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Lodging manager | 60% | $63,260 |
| First-line supervisor of personal service workers | 35.7% | $57,090 |
| Anesthesiologist | 33.3% | $208,000 |
| Postsecondary library science teacher | 33.3% | $76,080 |
| Nuclear medicine technologist | 33.3% | $78,760 |
| Self-enrichment teacher | 33.3% | $51,050 |
| Survey researcher | 33.3% | $49,770 |
| Aerospace engineer | 25% | $111,780 |
| Dentist (all other specialists) | 25% | $175,160 |
| Fundraiser | 25% | $50,800 |
Online College Support in Alaska: Essential Resources
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
The ACPE is a comprehensive resource for many things relating to college education in Alaska. Useful tools for online students include academic and career planning and resources.
Alaska Online LIVE Job Shadows
This program involves an alliance of postsecondary educators, community leaders, and industry professionals to bring online job shadowing opportunities to college and university students in Alaska.
University of Alaska Anchorage Student Help and Support
Although the resources listed here are tailored to students attending the University of Alaska, there’s a Student Rights & Responsibilities tab listing the legal rights and benefits that most online students in Alaska can enjoy regardless of school.
Anchorage Daily News – Alaska Students Share Their Secretes to Distance Learning Success
This article examines the challenges online students may face at all levels of learning. It includes several tips that can apply to graduate and undergraduate online learners.
College and Career Training in Alaska
This publication from the ACPE serves as a primer for students thinking about going to college. The advice covers topics like admissions and paying for school as well as provides a list of colleges and universities in Alaska with online courses and programs.
