Alaska Pacific University

Alaska Pacific University is a private non-profit institution located in Anchorage, Alaska, with an enrollment of approximately 457 students. The university admits the large majority of applicants — its acceptance rate is 96.5% — meaning most people who apply are offered admission. About 32% of students receive Pell grants, indicating a significant share of the student body comes from lower-income households.

Published tuition is $20,760 per year and is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. The average annual net price — the total estimated cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, after grant and scholarship aid is applied — is $21,616. The fact that this figure exceeds published tuition suggests that, on average, living and other costs add more to the total than grant aid reduces it for students receiving that aid.

About 39.8% of all students take out federal student loans to help cover costs. Among students who completed a credential, the median federal loan debt was $23,500. Of borrowers entering repayment, 57% were reducing their loan balance within three years — meaning a meaningful share were not making sufficient progress on their debt during that period.

The university's graduation rate is 47.2%, meaning fewer than half of entering students complete a credential within the measured timeframe. The retention rate — the share of first-year students who return for a second year — is 68%. Median earnings, measured 10 years after initial enrollment, are $54,271. This figure covers all federally-aided students who enrolled, including those who did not complete a degree, so it reflects a broad range of outcomes rather than the earnings of graduates specifically.

Among the programs offered, Alaska Pacific University has fields of study relevant to careers in environmental science and epidemiology, making it a potential option for adults considering careers in environmental or public health fields.