Best Universities & Colleges in Alaska for 2024

These are the 7 top schools, both online and traditional, located in the state of Alaska. Scroll through the list below and get all the information you need about each institution.

Online Colleges in Alaska

Compare all of the best distance education colleges located in Alaska to pursue an online bachelors degree, associates, or online masters program degree. Including cost of tuition, degrees they offer, enrollment rates, faculty, famous alumni, and more.

Recommended Schools

  • Alaska Bible College

    Palmer, Alaska

    • 33 Total Students
    • 4 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • Yes Online Programs

    With only a 50 year old history, ABC has come a long way as a Christ centered four year education institute. Situated in Palmer, Alaska, the journey of Alaska Bible College began in 1966, with the founder Vincent James Joy. Having already founded Central Alaskan Missions, he established the college with a focus on theological education to prepare the young individuals in the region of Alaska for their services within the ministry.

    In its short period of time, ABC has emerged as the only accredited four year education institute in Alaska and has also extended its campuses in two other cities in Alaska, Anchorage and Glennallen. Another distinct feature that sets it apart is its focus of training individuals, including the native Alaskans for the ministry in Far north regions of the state.

    Based in a rural setting surrounded by beautiful landscape, the campus and Alaska invites the students for an adventure besides the rigorous routine of studies. For those looking for outdoor activities, Alaska offers fishing, hiking, snowboarding, hunting and other activities.

    The college’s academic offerings include four year old Bachelors degree programs in five of the disciplines. Besides, there are also Certifications and Associations offered. One of the most prominent facilities of the college is The Murdock Campus Center (MCC) Gym and Fitness Center at the Glennallen which is free for public as well.

    ABC School Facts

    • Years Estd.1966
    • MottoBecoming servant leaders with Christ-like character.
    • ColorsRed and Gold
    • LocationAlaska
    • Religious AffiliationUndenominational

  • Alaska Pacific University

    Anchorage, Alaska

    • 516 Total Students
    • 39% Acceptance Rate
    • 18% Enrollment Rate
    • 8 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 699 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    The beginnings of Alaska Pacific University started in 1956 when the site for the then ‘Alaska Methodist University’ was marked in Anchorage, Alaska. It was chartered the next year and the college opened its doors for students in the year 1960. Over time, the college turned into a Liberal arts and Sciences university, a small community of students and faculty experiencing growth and learning in one of the finest academic environment. APU is religiously affiliated with the United Methodists and has traditions rooted deeply as Judeo-Christian.

    Being in Alaska, the student life at APU is interesting and unique.  It has its own very famous Nordic Ski Team which consists of students as well as APU funded community members. The team also includes the 7 time U.S. National Champion, Kikkan Randall. There are many other student organizations at the campus as well.

    The university also owns the Kellogg farm, built on the land donated by Louise Kellogg, the first woman to be on the Board of Trustees of the university. This was donated with the object of having a place for students to be near to the nature and this vision was realized. It is now used for study purposes of nature and sustainability. APU is also a member of the Eco League, a six institute group formed with the academic objective of offering study programs in Environmental Studies.

    APU offers Undergraduate degree programs under six of the disciplines; Graduate programs under six disciplines and one Doctoral program. There are graduate certificates as well along with Early Honors Program, an alternate to Senior high school year. The university campus also has some distinguished residencies and centers such as Grace Hall, Grant Hall, Moseley Sports Center, Mlakar President’s House, Waldron Carillon Bell Tower and few others.

    APU School Facts

    • Years Estd.1957
    • LocationAlaska
    • Religious AffiliationUnited Methodist

    Famous APU Alumni

    • Albert Kookesh

      Politics & Law

      Formerly served as the member of Alaskan Senate

    • Sharon Cissna

      Politics & Law

      Formerly served as the Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives

    • Sadie Bjornsen

      Professional Sports

      A cross country Skier; also an Olympian in 2014

    • Katherine Gottlieb

      Education & Advocacy

      Known for having received MacArthur Fellowship

    • Lew Freedman

      Education & Advocacy

      A sportswriter, written approximately over 45 books

    • Walt Monegan

      Politics & Law

      Formerly served in the Policeof Anchorage, as the chief


  • Charter College

    Anchorage, Alaska

    • 1,945 Total Students
    • 16 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • Yes Online Programs

    Charter is a private and independent institute providing higher education. It was founded in 1985 and with the mission to provide career education to those who wished to excel. When the college started, the traditional education required a four year curriculum, whereas Charter believed that many of these student years were lost due many courses being irrelevant for academic excellence or career preparation.

    With its unique mission to be relevant in its approach in providing skill training and education, and with a specially designed environment that would serve the purpose, the college has expanded greatly. At present, the college combines the best of a liberal arts college, university and a vocational institute, and employing expert faculty ensures student success at professional level.

    Charter College is a career focused institute and being that, realizes the multiple ways in which it needs to serve its students. The two most important ways that the college serves its students is, first by providing flexible schedules for ease of its students through day and evening classes and secondly by offering ‘Blended Learning’. Encouraging technology integration, the education is divided into on campus learning as well as online learning. This adds to the ease and convenience for its students. The faculty offered at the college are industry professionals; not only does this ensure present day knowledge and real time facts and information, but also provides practical exposure and training that is otherwise not possible. The accelerated programs are also an advantage which means that the students complete their degrees faster and are ready to enter industry and start their career much earlier. Students at Charter are also provided with latest equipment, practicing labs and other resources necessary to prepare them for success at jobs.

    There are over 25 programs offered at the college at Associate, Bachelors and Masters level in seven fields of study. Other certificate programs and courses are also available. The college is although based in Anchorage, Alaska, however has 15 other campuses in Alaska, Montana, California, Washington and New Mexico.

    Charter School Facts

    • LocationAlaska
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

  • Maryville University of Saint Louis Seal

    Maryville University of Saint Louis

    Saint Louis, Missouri

    • 6,414 Total Students
    • 72% Acceptance Rate
    • 36% Enrollment Rate
    • 13 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 1,457 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    Maryville University of Saint Louis is a private coeducational university. It was established by the Religious of the Sacred Heart in 1872. It initially aimed at providing education to underrepresented female students. It was recognized as a junior college in 1921 before becoming a four-year college in 1923. The college expanded in the late 1950s by purchasing 290-acre land and establishing its branch campus in 1961. Maryville became a coeducational institute in 1968 and became independent college three years later, administered by lay board of trustees. In 1981, the college started its weekend college to allow adult students to complete entire degree programs during the weekends only. Maryville achieved the university status three years later.

    The university main campus is located in in the city of Town and Country, in west St. Louis County, Missouri. It includes several distinctive buildings that has been constructed in different times as the Donius University Center opened in 2001, the Buder Family Commons that was opened in 2006, Potter Hall which previously belonged to Marriott Corporation, Myrtle E. and Earl E. Walker Hall that was established in 2013. Additionally, the university operates two off-campus centers in in Lake Saint Louis and Sunset Hills in Missouri and Scott Air Force Base in Illinois that are dedicated to weekend and evening classes. The official colors of the university are Red, White and Black while its mascot is called “Louie” the Saint Bernard and “LJ” Louie the junior. Its athletic teams compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference as members of the NCAA Division II level.

    Maryville is divided into six colleges and schools including the Walker College of Health Professions, the John E. Simon School of Business and The Catherine McAuley School of Nursing. It offers 59 undergraduate programs, 30 graduate programs, 12 online programs and 14 adult programs. The University is member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

    Maryville School Facts

    • LocationMissouri
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

  • University of Alaska Anchorage Seal

    University of Alaska Anchorage

    Anchorage, Alaska

    • 16,762 Total Students
    • 71% Acceptance Rate
    • 70% Enrollment Rate
    • 15 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 3,775 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    UAA is a public institute and a research university that began in 1954 when Anchorage Community College (ACC) was founded. It initially offered only the evening classes and became the first institute in the region to be offering college level education. In 1962 the community college along with all others in the region was made part of the University of Alaska statewide system.

    It was in 1980s that the merger of former Anchorage Senior College and ACC led to the formation of University of Alaska Anchorage. With its strong academic programs and focus on research, the university is on the path to discovery, production of knowledge and leading with real world ideas and solutions.

    Based in Anchorage, Alaska the campus life is extensive and vibrant. Students enjoy being part of over 100 student clubs on the campus offering a variety of interests and with the opportunity to learn while meeting new people. The campus also has its Greek Life.  There are many leadership initiatives on campus such as running one of the student cubs, participating in Emerging Leaders Program, the Leadership Conference or leadership awards and Honors etc. Students put in their time working for personal as well as professional volunteering projects such as fundraising events while also getting to learn team work, new skills, creativity and, organising and planning. There is also the Campus Programming Board which also provides with an opportunity for the students to be part of organising events and activities. For student events, activities, meetings or to just spend time just relaxing with friends, there is the Student Union, the main center for the campus activity. Students also enjoy arts through exhibits and many of the creative performances put together by arts students. There is also campus recreation along with its athletic teams, ‘Seawolves’ competing at NCAA Division I and II; the official university colors are Green and Gold.

    Academic programs at UAA consist of 40+ Associate, 55+ Bachelors, 45+ minors, 25+ Masters, six Doctoral degree and 10+ Graduate Certificate programs. Its notable facilities are Alvin S. Okeson Library and Carolyn Floyd Library.

    UAA School Facts

    • Years Estd.1954
    • NicknameSeawolves
    • ColorsGreen and Gold
    • LocationAlaska
    • AthleticsNCAA Div. II – GNAC, RMISANCAA Div. I – WCHA, MPSF
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Seal

    University of Alaska Fairbanks

    Fairbanks, Alaska

    University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, Alaska
    • 8,638 Total Students
    • 73% Acceptance Rate
    • 70% Enrollment Rate
    • 11 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 1,554 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    UAF is a public institute and a research university that was founded in 1917. As developments took place in the region, an educational institute in the region was approved by the Governor John Strong. The institute began as Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines. It progressed steadily and in 1931 the Agricultural Experiment Station (founded in 1906) was transferred to the college.

    In 1935, with expansion in the curriculum and progress in research the college was renamed as University of Alaska. Besides having other campuses, this flagship campus is based in Fairbanks, Alaska and is a land, sea and space grant institute.

    Preparing students for lifelong success, critical thinking and intellectual discovery, the campus life at UAF presents various opportunities which leads to this overall development. Students take part in over 100 student organisations; from getting to run them or simply being there for learning and socialising in a healthy environment. The campus student government, ASUAF is another important committee on campus. It provides an excellent opportunity to learn leadership and be experienced in running public offices. Students also get to choose their representatives which then work for overall campus welfare. There is also the Student Union, a place where students get together to organise and hold campus activities and events. It also offers ‘The Pub’ which is the hang out place for students as well as faculty and administration; a place for healthy communication and socialising. The campus also holds entertainment, cultural and other events and some of its traditional ones are Icecream Thursdays, Springfest, Winter Carnival and few more.  Students also get involved in recreational and outdoor activities such as climbing, outdoor ice, camping, etc. There are also student athletic teams ‘Alaska Nanooks’, competing at NCAA Division I and II. The campus colors are Blue and Gold and the mascot is ‘Nanook’.

    Academic programs offered at UAF consist of 147 degrees and 31 certificates in 114 disciplines. Its notable facilities are Wood Center, Signers’ Hall Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, Keith B. Mather Library, Charles Davis Concert Hall, Lee H. Salisbury Theatre, Eva McGowan Music Room and more.

    UAF School Facts

    • Years Estd.1917
    • NicknameAlaska Nanooks
    • MascotNanook
    • MottoNaturally Inspiring
    • ColorsBlue & Gold
    • LocationAlaska
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous UAF Alumni

    • Erin Pettit

      Science & Medicine

      Geophysicist and Glaciologist

    • Bob Bartlett

      Politics & Law

      Territorial delegate and first Alaska senator

    • J. Jill Robinson

      Entertainment & Arts

      Award-winning Canadian, fiction and creative nonfiction

    • Bharath Sriraman

      Education & Advocacy

      Academic, editor and professor of mathematics at The University of Montana

    • Mark Myers

      Science & Medicine

      Former director of U.S. Geological Survey

    • Otto W. Geist

      Science & Medicine

      Explorer and naturalist

    • Syun-Ichi Akasofu

      Science & Medicine

      Geophysicist and founding director of the International Arctic Research Center

    • Cody Kunyk

      Professional Sports

      Hockey player


  • University of Alaska Southeast Seal

    University of Alaska Southeast

    Juneau, Alaska

    • 2,800 Total Students
    • 49% Acceptance Rate
    • 88% Enrollment Rate
    • 12 to 1 Student to Faculty Ratio
    • 458 Total Applicants
    • Yes Online Programs

    UAS is a public four year higher education institute that traces its beginnings to the year 1972 and to the three educational institutes in the region; University of Alaska Juneau, Ketchikan Community College, and Islands Community College in Sitka. It was in 1987 that the educational institutes came to be consolidated under as one and became part of the University of Alaska System.

    The main campus is based in Juneau with extension centers in Sitka and Ketchikan, in Alaska. University of Alaska Southeast is accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and offers programs and education aimed at contributing to the long term intellectual, economic, political and social development of the region of Alaska and the country.

    At all of the three campuses at UAS students provide ample of student activities and extracurricular opportunities for the students to enjoy learning in a healthy environment. The Junewau campus offers 20+ student clubs, Student Government and the Student Activities Board. These provide platforms for the students to understand and experience leadership, run offices and organisations, learn team building as well as organise healthy campus events and activities. The campus also offers community engagement opportunity by volunteering time working for local and regional community organisations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Salvation Army, United Way and others. Its Ketchikan Campus also has its Student Government which works as student representation and regulates student activity on campus. On all three of its campuses, students find support services and activities such as learning and writing centers, recreation center, counselling for healthy mental and academic development, academic resources and tutoring, career services for potential jobs, internships and career success, and many other such services. The university also has its mascot called ‘Spike the Humpback Whale’ and its official colors are Blue and White.

    Academic programs at the university consist of 41 programs of study in the areas of liberal arts, sciences, management, social sciences, health care and others. It also offers online education. Its notable facilities are William A. Egan Library, Anderson Science building and A.H. Ziegler Building.

    UAS School Facts

    • Years Estd.1972
    • MascotSpike the Humpback Whale
    • ColorsBlue & White
    • LocationAlaska
    • AthleticsIntramural
    • Religious AffiliationNot applicable

    Famous UAS Alumni

    • R. T. Wallen

      Entertainment & Arts

      Internationally known Alaskan Artist, sculpted the Humpback Whale seen on the campus grounds



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