Alaska Career College: 255 Students

255Students

65%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,468Earnings

#8 in AlaskaPrivate forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Alaska Career College

Alaska Career College focuses on hands-on training for Alaska's workforce needs. The school serves 255 students in downtown Anchorage, preparing them for careers in healthcare, business, and skilled trades. Women make up 87% of the student body, reflecting the school's strong programs in medical assisting and healthcare support. All students come from within Alaska, creating a tight-knit community focused on local career opportunities.

Students pay an average of $18,091 after financial aid, with 58% receiving Pell Grants to help cover costs. Graduates typically earn $34,468 ten years after completing their programs. The relatively low median debt of $7,377 means monthly loan payments average just $78. With an employment rate of 89.7%, most graduates find work quickly in Alaska's job market. The school's career-focused approach helps students enter the workforce with practical skills employers want.

The 15:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in small classes. Nearly two-thirds of students graduate within six years, though the career college model means many enter the workforce sooner. The school's location in Alaska's largest city provides access to internships and job opportunities across various industries that keep the state running.

Academics & Faculty

Alaska Career College focuses entirely on workforce training programs designed to get students into Alaska's job market quickly. The school specializes in healthcare, business, and trades programs that align with local employment demands. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive hands-on attention in small classes. The 64.8% graduation rate reflects the challenges many working adults face completing career programs while juggling other responsibilities. Popular programs include medical assisting, pharmacy technician training, and business administration. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills over theory. Most students complete their certificates or associate degrees within two years. The school's strength lies in connecting classroom learning directly to job skills that Anchorage employers actively seek.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 4.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 64.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,468

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.	Associate	$34,526
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$32,477
Accounting and Related Services.	Associate	$31,495
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$29,413
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services.	Certificate	$26,739
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.	Certificate	$25,194

View all 11 programs →

Campus Life

Alaska Career College sits in downtown Anchorage, where 255 students focus intensely on hands-on career training. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, so pack serious cold-weather gear for the long Alaskan winters. The college operates as a commuter school with no dorms, reflecting the practical, get-to-work mentality of its programs.

Students spend most of their time in labs and workshops rather than traditional lecture halls. With 87% of students being women, the atmosphere tends toward collaborative learning, especially in the popular healthcare and business programs. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors know your name and track your progress closely. Most students work while attending classes, juggling jobs with accelerated two-year programs designed to launch careers quickly.

Weekends often involve outdoor activities unique to Alaska, from hiking trails just outside the city to winter sports. The 100% in-state enrollment creates a tight-knit community where students share local knowledge about navigating both college and Anchorage's job market. Social life centers more around study groups and networking than traditional college parties.

Setting: City-Large

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Aggravated Assault	0	0	0	1
Robbery	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 8°–22°F
July Avg: 53°–68°F
Annual Precipitation: 14.2"
Annual Snowfall: 76.9"

Student Demographics

Alaska Career College draws students from across Anchorage who need practical job training without leaving home. All students come from Alaska, reflecting the school's strong local reputation for career-focused education. The student body is overwhelmingly female, which aligns with the college's emphasis on healthcare and business programs that traditionally attract women. The school serves a diverse population that mirrors Anchorage's demographics. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college's mission to provide accessible career training for working-class Alaskans seeking stable employment opportunities.

Men: 12.9%
Women: 87.1%
White: 25.1%
Black: 10.2%
Hispanic: 8.2%
Asian: 14.9%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 58.1%

Location

Alaska Career College sits in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city with nearly 300,000 residents. The school draws exclusively from Alaska, with 100% in-state enrollment reflecting the state's geographic isolation. Anchorage serves as the state's economic center, surrounded by the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. The city offers urban amenities while maintaining access to wilderness recreation just minutes away. Students experience long winter days with limited sunlight and extended summer daylight. The location provides internship and job opportunities in Alaska's key industries including healthcare, oil, and tourism. Students considering colleges in Alaska may also compare Alaska Career College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Anchorage, Alaska 99507-1033

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,468
Median Earnings (5 years): $36,342
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,200
Loan Repayment Rate: 44.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $78/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $7,377

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Alaska Career College?

Alaska Career College serves 255 students focused on career-oriented programs in Anchorage. The school maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personalized attention in technical and healthcare training programs. All students come from Alaska, reflecting the college's mission to serve local workforce needs.

How much does Alaska Career College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $18,091 annually at Alaska Career College. About 58% of students receive financial aid, with 42% getting institutional grants averaging $5,270. Monthly loan payments for graduates average just $78, making this one of the more affordable career training options.

What academic programs is Alaska Career College known for?

Alaska Career College specializes in hands-on career training with a focus on healthcare and technical fields. The school's 64.8% six-year graduation rate reflects its practical approach to education. Women make up 87% of the student body, typical for institutions emphasizing nursing and medical assistant programs.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Alaska Career College?

Graduates achieve an impressive 89.7% employment rate within their field of study. Alumni earn a median salary of $34,468 ten years after graduation, with many finding work in Alaska's growing healthcare sector. The loan repayment rate of 44.6% indicates some graduates face challenges with debt management despite finding employment.

Where is Alaska Career College located and what is campus life like?

The college operates in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, providing students access to internships and job opportunities. With only 255 students total, the campus offers an intimate learning environment. The urban setting gives students access to Alaska's major medical facilities and employers while maintaining small class sizes.

Is Alaska Career College diverse in its student population?

The student body is diverse for Alaska, with 25% White students, 15% Asian students, and 10% Black students. Nearly 13% of students are men, which is unusually low even for healthcare-focused institutions. This diversity reflects Anchorage's multicultural population and the school's appeal across different communities seeking career training.