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

Public, Juneau 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

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 Alaska Career College, on median earnings of $48,475 vs $34,468 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Alaska SoutheastAlaska Career College
Net price / yr$12,357$20,150
Total net cost$49,428$80,600
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,475$34,468
Median debt$19,111$7,377
Payback429.8 yrs—
20-year net return-$47,128-$358,440

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

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

University of Alaska Southeast, at $12,357 a year after aid versus $20,150 — a gap of $7,793 a year, or $31,172 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

University of Alaska Southeast graduates report a median $48,475 ten years after entry, $14,007 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, University of Alaska Southeast or Alaska Career College?

Alaska Career College: its completers carry a median $7,377 in federal loans versus $19,111 at University of Alaska Southeast, a difference of $11,734. 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 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.

University of Alaska Southeast vs Alaska Career College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Alaska Southeast or Alaska Career College a better value?
University of Alaska Southeast. It clears its $49,428 net cost in about 429.8 years versus no clear payback at Alaska Career College, on median earnings of $48,475 vs $34,468 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Alaska Southeast or Alaska Career College?
University of Alaska Southeast: $12,357/yr net price after aid versus $20,150/yr at Alaska Career College — a difference of $7,793 a year, or about $31,172 over four years.
Do University of Alaska Southeast or Alaska Career College graduates earn more?
University of Alaska Southeast graduates earn a median $48,475 ten years after entry, versus $34,468 at Alaska Career College — a $14,007 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.