Best Colleges in Anchorage
Moose, Snow, and Bears, Oh My
Textbooks and Snowshoes
If you're going to live in Alaska, Anchorage is the place to be. An average of 79 inches of snow fall on Anchorage each year, but the big city still has warmer temperatures than Midwest states, such as Chicago or Minneapolis. So, walking to class shouldn't be that bad. When it comes to education, the intimate classroom settings and the ability to actually get to know your classmates makes it all worth it. If personalized classrooms is your ideal learning style, then attending college in Alaska's biggest city will serve you well. The college scene is quiet and peaceful with just 2 colleges and 2 universities. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, at most. With just under 30 programs offered among all 4 higher-level institutions, students will receive very refined, specific education in the fields of healthcare, education, and business, just to name a few.
With mountains to climb and glaciers to ogle, it might be difficult to stay put long enough to do your homework. Home to 223 parks and 250 miles of trails, Anchorage is perfect for those adventurous, outgoing students who enjoy hiking, kayaking, hunting, fishing or horseback riding. The extremely low temperatures (average lows of -7 º) in the winter only add to the fun as people gear-up for snowmobiling, skiing, ice climbing and dog sledding. If personalized learning and the peaceful sights and sounds of nature are calling your name, then Anchorage is the place for you.
*nces.ed.gov *muni.org *www.alaska.net/weather
Best Four Year Universities in Anchorage
| Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Pacific University | Anchorage, AK |
Alaska Pacific University offers 36 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a large city. In 2015, 184 students graduated with students earning 72 Bachelor's degrees, 57 Master's degrees, 36 Certificates degrees, 11 Associate's degrees, and 8 Doctoral degrees. |
Read more: Alaska Pacific University Reviews
| ||
| 2 | University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage, AK |
University of Alaska Anchorage offers 200 Degree programs. It's a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 2,688 students graduated with students earning 1,112 Bachelor's degrees, 907 Associate's degrees, 359 Certificates degrees, 309 Master's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree. | Based on 8 Reviews |
Read more: University of Alaska Anchorage Reviews
| |
| 3 | Charter College-Anchorage | Anchorage, AK |
Charter College-Anchorage offers 37 Degree programs. It's a medium sized private university in a large city. In 2015, 2,020 students graduated with students earning 1,481 Certificates degrees, 454 Associate's degrees, 77 Bachelor's degrees, and 8 Master's degrees. |
Read more: Charter College-Anchorage Reviews
| ||
| 4 | Alaska Bible College | Palmer, AK |
Alaska Bible College offers 10 Degree programs. It's a very small private university in a far away town. In 2015, 16 students graduated with students earning 12 Certificates degrees, 4 Bachelor's degrees. |
Read more: Alaska Bible College Reviews
|
Best Community Colleges in Anchorage
| Rank | School Name | Location | Description | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Career College | Anchorage, AK |
Alaska Career College offers 12 Degree programs. It's a very small private college in a large city. In 2015, 483 students graduated with students earning 419 Certificates degrees, and 64 Associate's degrees. |
Read more: Alaska Career College Reviews
|
List of all Colleges in Anchorage
| School Logo | School Name | Average tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Alaska Pacific University Anchorage, AK |
4/5
|
11 : 1 | 516 |
|
|
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK |
2/5
|
18 : 1 | 16,762 |
|
|
Charter College-Anchorage Anchorage, AK |
4/5
|
16 : 1 | 1,945 |
|
|
Alaska Career College Anchorage, AK | 23 : 1 | 378 | |
|
|
Alaska Bible College Palmer, AK |
3/5
|
7 : 1 | 33 |
Top Schools offering Specific Degrees in Anchorage
Questions About Going to College in Anchorage
How are the career opportunities for college graduates in this city?
As Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage presents a variety of job prospects. Strong fields include oil services, healthcare, and retail. The number of high-tech firms in the state increases every year. This fact means expanded opportunities for programmers, software engineers, web designers, and developers. Over the last decade, average wages in Alaska have grown at a faster rate than wages at the national level (3.6 percent vs. 2.7 percent). Dust off your bicycle—the average commute time of 19 minutes falls nicely below the national average of 25 minutes.
What major companies/industries are hiring what type of graduates/skills in Anchorage?
Providence Health and Services employs more than 4,000 workers. Other top companies tend to be in one of two areas – grocery/general merchandise (Wal-Mart, Carrs/Safeway, Fred Meyer) or oil and gas (ASRC Energy Services, BP Exploration Alaska, CH2MHill). Anchorage plays a large role in FedEx’s operations because of its strategic location to places around the world. Financial professionals may find work at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.
Is Anchorage more of a college town or a great place to start a career and family?
About 40 percent of all Alaskans live in Anchorage, so the city is definitely more than just a college town. Many residents believe Anchorage provides an unparalleled experience – an urban area surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges. Families enjoy the Alaska Zoo, the Anchorage Museum, and plenty of areas perfect for picnics and hikes. While the cost of living is high, Alaska does have the lowest taxes in the United States and lacks a statewide sales tax.
What do the locals in Anchorage like to do for fun?
The majestic, rocky Alaskan terrain provides endless adventures for hikers. An ice skating rink in the middle of town attracts families. Others prefer snowmobiling or cross-country skiing. Anyone looking to warm up can visit one the city’s many convenient espresso stands. Dog sledding teams from around the world thrill residents each March at the annual Iditarod race. Locals also look forward to the 10-day Fur Rendezvous Winter Festival, which includes an amazing snow-crafting competition.
What's the dating scene like in Anchorage? Will I meet my perfect mate?
With more than 300,000 people living in the Anchorage Municipality and a relatively equal split between men and women, this area provides greater opportunities for singles than most regions of Alaska. It takes a hearty soul to deal with the state’s long, bitter winters. But finding the right person to snuggle up to while watching the Aurora Borealis can be magic. Cue cuddle season!