Alaska Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Alaska College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Alaska institutions.
Top Alaska Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Public 4-yr | $9,032 | $26,462 | 6,400 |
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Public 4-yr | $9,010 | $26,440 | 11,500 |
| University of Alaska Southeast | Public 4-yr | $8,580 | $25,210 | 1,900 |
| Alaska Pacific University | Private | $22,200 | $22,200 | 500 |
| UA Community College (avg) | Community | $5,100 | $11,500 | 6,000 |
Alaska State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE).
Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS)
Three-tier merit scholarship for AK high school grads based on GPA, test scores, and curriculum completion.
Alaska Education Grant
Need-based grant for AK residents at eligible AK institutions.
University of Alaska Scholars Award
For AK high school grads in top 10% of their class attending a UA institution.
Student Loan Options for Alaska Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Alaska have a state student loan program?
Yes. Alaska offers the Alaska Supplemental Education Loan which offers great rates and perks if you're an Alaska resident. The loan offers low fixed rates, and no payments while you're at least a half time student. You can learn more here: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. Right now, you can borrow up to $96,000 in aggregate loans.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Alaska state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common student loan and financial aid questions from Alaskan students.
How much does college cost in Alaska?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Alaska public four-year universities is about $9,100 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $22,400 on campus for Alaska residents and $29,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Alaska?
Alaska borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $30,800. Total outstanding federal student debt for Alaska residents is approximately $2.1 billion.
Does Alaska offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Alaska administers the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS, three tiers), AlaskAdvantage Education Grant (need-based), UA Scholars Award (top 10%), and Alaska Teacher Education Loan.
Does Alaska have a state student loan program?
No. Alaska does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Alaska residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Alaska colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
UA community colleges average $5,100 per year. UA Southeast is the lowest four-year public at $8,580. Alaska Pacific University is the only private nonprofit option in the state at $22,200.
What scholarships are available for Alaska residents?
Key awards include the Alaska Performance Scholarship, AlaskAdvantage Education Grant, UA Scholars Award, and WWAMI Medical Education program.
Related Alaska Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Alaska public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- ACPE program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller