Alaska's academic system has long embraced online learning. The formation of the Alaska Society of Technology in Education (ASTE) in 1981 serves as a testament to decades of tech adoption and academic networks connecting cities, towns, and remote villages. Alaska's Learning Network (AKLN) consists of a 54-district coalition that provides online high school and college-level courses through the Blackboard learning management system. AKLN's first year of online courses kicked off in 2011. Since then, this organization has worked to ensure that all online classes meet International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) standards. With strong distance-learning infrastructure in place at the secondary and postsecondary levels, it's not too surprising that the University of Alaska offerings have grown to encompass 112 online degree programs.
Along with the rest of the country, Alaska has seen rising tuition rates in recent years. According to the Trends in Higher Education Series published by the College Board, tuition at Alaska's four-year public colleges rose 30.1% within a five-year span, while attendance grew by 13.3%. Fortunately, Alaska's total state appropriations for higher education have also risen by 24.2% in the same time period. Alaska was one of just three states in the nation to provide more than 40% of state appropriations to public academic institutions, a promising figure when it comes to the continued improvement of higher education programs.
We've assembled an extensive online college database to help you learn more about online programs available in Alaska. The state facts tab below will give you a better idea of average tuition levels, graduation rates, and test scores in Alaskan schools.
Featured Online Programs
7 Colleges in Alaska
Additional Resources
Official State Links
College Savings
- John Hancock Freedom 529: The John Hancock Freedom 529 is offered by the Education Trust of Alaska. These plans are managed by John Hancock and T. Rowe Price and 23 other financial management companies.
- University of Alaska College Savings Plan: The University of Alaska College Savings Plan is managed by T. Rowe Price and offered by the Education Trust of Alaska. Anyone can contribute to a plan once it has been established.
- The T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan: Offered by the Education Trust of Alaska, this college savings plan allows nearly any family member to enroll and create a college savings plan for a beneficiary. Account holders can choose from 13 different professionally-managed portfolios with a contribution limit of $400,000 per beneficiary.
- Alaska Education Grant: This program was created by the Alaska legislature to provide need-based assistance to eligible state residents attending postsecondary education. Awards range from $500 to $2,000.
Education Nonprofits
- Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education: The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) helps higher education systems in the west share resources. The organization also implements funding programs designed to help member institutions help their students. Alaska has been part of WICHE since 1955.
- Consortium for Alaska Native Higher Education: This organization provides statewide support for regional higher education projects in environments that provide opportunities in accordance with the elders' guidance and traditional values. It can help tribal colleges and universities to leverage funding to achieve their educational goals and provide scholarships for students.
Higher Education News
- Going to College in Alaska: This web site offers information and advice for students preparing for college in Alaska.The site is run by the Alaska Commission on Higher Education.
- Journal of American Indian Education: This publication focuses on higher education news for American Indian and Alaskan Native students.The peer-reviewed journal aims to publish essays, research and manuscripts that are meant to increase discussion between researchers and educators.