At $18,976/yr net price, Alaska Pacific University graduates earn $54,271/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,271/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $18,976 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $75,904 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,271/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,271/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,371/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,564/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,313/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,460/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $81,333 | |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | Bachelor | $26,353 |
The Risk Factor
46.9% of students at Alaska Pacific University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Alaska Pacific University charges about $19,000 a year net, and ten years out the median graduate earns around $54,000. That return is mixed. The earnings clear what you'd make without a degree, but the median debt of $23,500 nearly matches a single year of net price, and you take on that debt at a school where fewer than half of students finish.
The one bachelor-level program with reported earnings is Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology, and it pays about $26,000 a year. That is a weak payoff for a four-year degree, and it sits below the school-wide median by roughly half. Field science tracks fit the Alaska setting, but they do not carry salaries that justify borrowing. No other undergraduate program earnings are listed here, so treat any major beyond this one as an unknown financial bet.
The specific risk at APU is completion. A 68% retention rate means about a third of first-year students don't return, and a 47% graduation rate means many who enroll leave with debt and no degree. Debt without a credential is the worst outcome, and it happens here more than at schools that graduate most of their students.
The net price tiers work against middle-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay between $15,500 and $18,400. But in the $75,000 to $110,000 band, the price jumps to about $23,500 a year, the highest of any tier. You get less discount as your income rises.
This school fits you if you want Alaska-based field science and can finish in four years without heavy borrowing. If you're chasing a high-salary career or need a strong graduation rate to protect your investment, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alaska Pacific University worth the cost for the ROI?
Alaska Pacific University has mixed ROI depending on your major. Business graduates earn $81,333 after 10 years, which justifies the cost, but ecology graduates average only $26,353. The low graduation rate of 47% adds significant risk to your investment.
What is the job market like for Alaska Pacific University graduates?
APU graduates earn an average of $54,271 ten years after graduation, which is below the national average for college graduates. The remote Alaska location limits job opportunities, though business program graduates see better outcomes than those in environmental sciences.
How much debt do Alaska Pacific University students typically graduate with?
APU graduates have a median debt of $23,500, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, with nearly half of students not graduating and average earnings of $54,271, the debt-to-income ratio creates financial stress for many graduates.
Which programs at Alaska Pacific University offer the best value?
Business Administration at Alaska Pacific University provides the strongest ROI with graduates earning $81,333 after 10 years. Avoid ecology and environmental science programs where graduates average only $26,353, making debt repayment difficult.