Alaska’s best colleges for 2027 are the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Southeast, and the University of Alaska Anchorage. Alaska is a large state with diverse higher-education opportunities, and students looking for the best colleges in Alaska for 2027 will find many great schools. It is never too early to start thinking about college.

These colleges offer strong programs and opportunities, and they are located in one of the country’s most beautiful states. Whether you want a small school or a big university, this list has something for everyone. Start planning your future today and check out our top picks for the best colleges in Alaska 2027. See the published University Magazine rankings methodology and our university rankings for context.

The Best Colleges in Alaska 2027

1. University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public research university and the flagship of the University of Alaska system. It opened in 1922 as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines and is one of the country’s few Land, Sea, and Space Grant universities. UAF says it serves more than 11,000 students across seven campuses, with nine colleges and schools, including Engineering and Mines, Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and Natural Science and Mathematics.

Research is a major draw. The Geophysical Institute, established in 1946, specializes in seismology, volcanology, and aeronomy, while the International Arctic Research Center and the Institute of Arctic Biology add Arctic-science depth few schools offer. The Nanooks play Division I hockey, and the rifle team has won 11 national championships. UAF ranks first for its research strength, Alaska setting, and range of programs.

2. University of Alaska Southeast

The University of Alaska Southeast is a regional university serving Southeast Alaska from campuses in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka, inside the Tongass National Forest. Programs include marine biology, business, education, construction, power technology, fisheries, maritime training, and health sciences, offered online and on campus. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities has accredited UAS since 1983, and it ranks among the best colleges in Alaska for its mix of programs and tuition.

UAS runs the Maritime Training Center in Ketchikan and the Center for Mine Training in Juneau, and students can study away at more than 300 colleges in the US and over 50 countries. UAS eliminated nonresident tuition for undergraduates in fall 2026, and out-of-state applications rose 18 percent by July 2026. Fall 2026 headcount is about 1,646 (preliminary). Hands-on programs and an affordable path for out-of-state students are why UAS ranks second.

3. University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest university in the University of Alaska system, a comprehensive, open-access public university in Alaska’s largest city. UAA says about 12,000 students come from across the US and 89 countries. Colleges include Arts and Sciences, Business and Public Policy, Engineering, and Health, plus the Community and Technical College and an Honours College.

Degrees range from associate to doctoral levels, with aviation programs in air traffic control, aviation administration, and professional piloting, as well as accelerated 3+3 law programs with the University of Washington and Willamette University law schools. The Seawolves compete in NCAA Division II in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, with Division I gymnastics and ice hockey. UAA ranks third for its size, program range, and city location.

4. Charter College – Alaska

Charter College operates a main campus in Anchorage and a separate trades building, and the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education authorizes it in Alaska. The college is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, and its associate nursing program in Anchorage holds continuing accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing.

Charter College focuses on health care and career training, with programs in medical assisting, pharmacy technology, nursing, radiologic technology, MRI and CT, sonography, respiratory therapy, and dental assisting. Not every program runs at every campus, and some are offered online through Charter College Anchorage. Career-focused programs and an accredited nursing degree are why Charter College ranks fourth.

5. Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University is a private university in Anchorage with a small and personalized approach. Majors include Business Administration, Counselling Psychology, Creative and Professional Writing, Environmental Public Health, Health Sciences, Liberal Studies, Marine and Environmental Sciences, Nursing, and Outdoor Studies.

Students can explore the Alaskan backcountry through Outdoor Studies, work with marine life in Biology, and manage real investments in Business. The university integrates Alaska Native knowledge across disciplines, and the Nuna Center runs research for Alaska’s environment, health, and economy. Partners include the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Nordic Ski Center. Hands-on programs and Alaska Native perspectives are why APU ranks fifth.

6. Ilisagvik College

Ilisagvik College is the only federally recognized tribal college in Alaska, in Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) on the North Slope. It began in 1986 as the North Slope Higher Education Center, a cooperative effort of the North Slope Borough and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and it has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 2003.

The college grounds its programs in Iñupiaq cultural heritage and subsistence culture, and it serves North Slope Borough residents. In 2026, the Northwest Commission approved a new 60-credit Associate of Science in General Science that combines Western science with Iñupiaq language and Indigenous knowledge. Culturally grounded programs and Arctic location are why Ilisagvik ranks sixth.

7. Alaska Bible College

Alaska Bible College is a private Christian college in Palmer, Alaska, founded in 1966 in Glennallen. Undergraduate options include an associate degree; bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Studies, Christian Ministry, or Elementary Education; and one- and two-year certificates.

Graduate options include an MA in Christian Ministry, an MA in Biblical Studies, and a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies. Its motto is becoming servants who lead with Christlike character. To compare with other majors, see our guide to the best colleges for international relations. A Christian focus from certificate to master’s level is why Alaska Bible College ranks seventh.

8. UAS Online

UAS Online lets students complete a bachelor’s degree online from anywhere. Online classes run year-round with two 15-week semesters and a condensed summer term; some classes meet live, while others use set deadlines with no required meetings.

Online students get small class sizes, academic support, tutoring, and often faculty-led independent research. UAS says in-state tuition is about half the per-credit cost of most other online schools, and transfer-friendly programs can award credit for prior training, including most active-duty military transcripts. Flexible formats and credit for prior learning are why UAS Online ranks eighth.

9. University of Alaska Fairbanks eCampus

UAF eCampus offers more than 60 fully online degrees, the largest online selection at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and its degrees are accredited. UAF says it runs Alaska’s longest-running distance learning program and has the state’s highest-ranked online bachelor’s degree.

Programs span business administration, nursing, and education, including an MBA, and students can study on flexible schedules from anywhere. Online courses qualify for the in-state rate, and UAF says tuition is below the national average. eCampus rounds out the list with flexible, fully online degrees at a flagship university.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best colleges in Alaska in 2027?

The University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska Anchorage, Charter College Alaska, and Alaska Pacific University lead this University Magazine list for 2027.

Which is the largest university in Alaska?

The University of Alaska Anchorage is the largest university in the University of Alaska system.

Is there a tribal college in Alaska?

Yes. Ilisagvik College in Utqiagvik is Alaska’s only federally recognized tribal college.

Which Alaska colleges offer online degrees?

The University of Alaska Fairbanks eCampus offers more than 60 fully online degrees, and the University of Alaska Southeast offers online bachelor’s degrees through UAS Online. Charter College also offers some programs online through its Anchorage campus.

Will out-of-state students pay less at University of Alaska schools?

The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted on August 4, 2026, to eliminate nonresident tuition systemwide for 2027-2028, so out-of-state students will pay no extra charge. Final tuition rates were due for approval in November.

Top Best Colleges in Alaska 2027: Ranked List

1. University of Alaska Fairbanks
2. University of Alaska Southeast
3. University of Alaska Anchorage
4. Charter College – Alaska
5. Alaska Pacific University
6. Ilisagvik College
7. Alaska Bible College
8. UAS Online
9. University of Alaska Fairbanks eCampus

Read more about UM World University Rankings