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Charter College vs University of Alaska Southeast: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Anchorage AK · vs · Public, Juneau AK

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

The verdict

University of Alaska Southeast has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,428 in 429.8 years versus not at all at Charter College, on median earnings of $48,475 vs $35,504 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCharter CollegeUniversity of Alaska Southeast
Net price / yr$34,860$12,357
Total net cost$139,440$49,428
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,504$48,475
Median debt$14,176$19,111
Payback—429.8 yrs
20-year net return-$396,560-$47,128

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

Which is cheaper, Charter College or University of Alaska Southeast?

University of Alaska Southeast, at $12,357 a year after aid versus $34,860 — a gap of $22,503 a year, or $90,012 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Charter College or University of Alaska Southeast graduates earn more?

University of Alaska Southeast graduates report a median $48,475 ten years after entry, $12,971 more than the $35,504 at Charter 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, Charter College or University of Alaska Southeast?

Charter College: its completers carry a median $14,176 in federal loans versus $19,111 at University of Alaska Southeast, a difference of $4,935. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at Charter College, against 28% at University of Alaska Southeast. 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.

Charter College vs University of Alaska Southeast: frequently asked questions

Is Charter College or University of Alaska Southeast a better value?
University of Alaska Southeast. It clears its $49,428 net cost in about 429.8 years versus no clear payback at Charter College, on median earnings of $48,475 vs $35,504 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Charter College or University of Alaska Southeast?
University of Alaska Southeast: $12,357/yr net price after aid versus $34,860/yr at Charter College — a difference of $22,503 a year, or about $90,012 over four years.
Do Charter College or University of Alaska Southeast graduates earn more?
University of Alaska Southeast graduates earn a median $48,475 ten years after entry, versus $35,504 at Charter College — a $12,971 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.