University of Alaska Southeast — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Alaska Southeast charges a net price of $12,357/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $49,428. Graduates earn a median $48,475 ten years after entry, $115/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 429.8 years — a 20-year net return of -$47,128, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Alaska Southeast's 429.8-year payback ranks #1,267 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 1% of them, and #4 of 6 in Alaska.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $12,357/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $49,428 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,475 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $115/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,111 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 429.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$47,128 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Alaska Southeast's own numbers. Net price $12,357 × 4 years = $49,428 total. Median earnings $48,475 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $115 a year of premium. $49,428 ÷ $115 = 429.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$47,128. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Alaska Southeast students graduate with?
A median $19,111 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $48,475 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Alaska Southeast students graduate?
28% finish their degree — 72% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $49,428 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $176,529 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Alaska Southeast expensive compared with other Alaska colleges?
Its $12,357 net price runs $5,369 below the $17,726 median across the 6 Alaska colleges we profile, and $21,474 less across the full degree.