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Alaska Pacific University vs Alaska Career College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Anchorage AK · vs · Private for-profit, Anchorage AK

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Alaska Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $43,232 in 7.3 years versus not at all at Alaska Career College, on median earnings of $54,271 vs $34,468 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlaska Pacific UniversityAlaska Career College
Net price / yr$21,616$20,150
Total net cost$43,232$80,600
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,271$34,468
Median debt$23,500$7,377
Payback7.3 yrs—
20-year net return$74,988-$358,440

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Alaska Pacific University or Alaska Career College?

Alaska Career College, at $20,150 a year after aid versus $21,616 — a gap of $1,466 a year, or $37,368 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Alaska Pacific University or Alaska Career College graduates earn more?

Alaska Pacific University graduates report a median $54,271 ten years after entry, $19,803 more than the $34,468 at Alaska Career College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Alaska Pacific University or Alaska Career College?

Alaska Career College: its completers carry a median $7,377 in federal loans versus $23,500 at Alaska Pacific University, a difference of $16,123. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Alaska Career College, against 47% at Alaska Pacific University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Alaska Pacific University vs Alaska Career College: frequently asked questions

Is Alaska Pacific University or Alaska Career College a better value?
Alaska Pacific University. It clears its $43,232 net cost in about 7.3 years versus no clear payback at Alaska Career College, on median earnings of $54,271 vs $34,468 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Alaska Pacific University or Alaska Career College?
Alaska Career College: $20,150/yr net price after aid versus $21,616/yr at Alaska Pacific University — a difference of $1,466 a year, or about $37,368 over four years.
Do Alaska Pacific University or Alaska Career College graduates earn more?
Alaska Pacific University graduates earn a median $54,271 ten years after entry, versus $34,468 at Alaska Career College — a $19,803 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.