The Best Business Administration Programs in Alaska for 2026
The best business administration programs in Alaska are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name. Hakia analyzed 5 business programs in Alaska on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in business administration actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 5 ranked programs in Alaska runs from $6,192 to $20,350 a year, a $14,158 spread for the same credential.
University of Alaska Southeast tops the list with a 76.6 Hakia Score on a 28% graduation rate, at $7,250 a year in-state. Across all 5 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 40%, ranging from 28% to 56%. The national median pay in the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at every ranked program and what actually separates them: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Alaska
- University of Alaska Southeast ranks first among Alaska's business programs with a 76.6 Hakia Score and a 28% graduation rate.
- In-state tuition across the 5 ranked Alaska programs spans $6,192 to $20,350 a year, a $14,158 gap for the same bachelor's in business administration.
- The 5 ranked Alaska programs graduate 40% of students on average, from 28% to 56%.
- 3 of the 5 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate drives the lowest cost for Alaska residents.
- 4 of the 5 offer a confirmed online option for students who cannot relocate.
- National median pay in the field is $105,770 (BLS), the benchmark every ranked Alaska program feeds into regardless of tuition.
Hakia analyzed 5 accredited programs in Alaska reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 5 Best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Alaska, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Alaska SoutheastJuneau, AK · online option | Public | $7,250 | 28% | 63% | 76.6 |
| 2 | University of Alaska FairbanksFairbanks, AK · online option | Public | $8,072 | 38% | NR | 75.0 |
| 3 | University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage, AK | Public | $6,192 | 30% | NR | 70.1 |
| 4 | Charter CollegeAnchorage, AK · online option | For-profit | $18,341 | 56% | NR | 68.1 |
| 5 | Alaska Pacific UniversityAnchorage, AK · online option | Nonprofit | $20,350 | 47% | 96% | 60.1 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Alaska, Compared by Score
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
A Closer Look at the Top Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Alaska
University of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 28%
- Admit rate
- 63%
- In-state
- $7,250
- Out-of-state
- $23,154
At $7,250 a year in-state, University of Alaska Southeast is among the more affordable bachelor's in business administration programs ranked here, holding a 76.6 Hakia Score on a 28% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 76.6, #1 of 5
- 28% graduation rate
- $7,250 in-state vs $23,154 out-of-state
- Most selective program here
Based in Juneau, AK, University of Alaska Southeast is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Business Administration program lands at #1 of the 5 ranked here, earning a 76.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 70 group average. The program graduates 28% of its students, below the 40% average across the ranked schools. University of Alaska Southeast admits 63% of applicants, more selective than the 80% average for the group. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 56%.
On cost, University of Alaska Southeast charges $7,250 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $23,154 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $29,000 in tuition for residents, against $92,616 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,192 at University of Alaska Anchorage to $20,350 at Alaska Pacific University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for AK residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with genuine selectivity.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 38%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $8,072
- Out-of-state
- $23,881
University of Alaska Fairbanks ranks #2 of the 5 bachelor's in business administration programs in this analysis, with a 75.0 Hakia Score and a 38% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 75.0, #2 of 5
- 38% graduation rate
- $8,072 in-state vs $23,881 out-of-state
- Online option available
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution in Fairbanks, AK. Its Bachelor's in Business Administration program ranks #2 of the 5 analyzed here with a 75.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 70 group average, in the middle third of the 5 ranked programs, 1.6 points behind top-ranked University of Alaska Southeast. The program graduates 38% of its students, below the 40% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 56%. The university enrolls 6,893 students overall.
On cost, University of Alaska Fairbanks charges $8,072 a year in-state, roughly 3.0x the $23,881 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $32,288 in tuition for residents, against $95,524 for non-residents. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,192 at University of Alaska Anchorage to $20,350 at Alaska Pacific University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for AK residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK · Public
- Grad rate
- 30%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $6,192
- Out-of-state
- $19,776
At $6,192 a year in-state, University of Alaska Anchorage is among the more affordable bachelor's in business administration programs ranked here, holding a 70.1 Hakia Score on a 30% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 70.1, #3 of 5
- 30% graduation rate
- $6,192 in-state vs $19,776 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Based in Anchorage, AK, University of Alaska Anchorage is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Business Administration program lands at #3 of the 5 ranked here, earning a 70.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 70 group average, in the middle third of the 5 ranked programs, 6.5 points behind top-ranked University of Alaska Southeast. The program graduates 30% of its students, below the 40% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 56%. The university enrolls 10,493 students overall.
On cost, University of Alaska Anchorage charges $6,192 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $19,776 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $24,768 in tuition for residents, against $79,104 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,192 at University of Alaska Anchorage to $20,350 at Alaska Pacific University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for AK residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Charter College
Anchorage, AK · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 56%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $18,341
- Out-of-state
- $18,341
Charter College graduates 56% of its students, above the 40% average across this ranking, on a 68.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 68.1, #4 of 5
- 56% graduation rate
- $18,341 tuition
- Top graduation rate on this list
Based in Anchorage, AK, Charter College is a private, for-profit institution. Its Bachelor's in Business Administration program lands at #4 of the 5 ranked here, earning a 68.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70 group average, in the lower third of the 5 ranked programs. The program graduates 56% of its students, above the 40% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 56%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,157 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Charter College charges $18,341 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $73,364 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,192 at University of Alaska Anchorage to $20,350 at Alaska Pacific University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 6x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage, AK · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 47%
- Admit rate
- 96%
- In-state
- $20,350
- Out-of-state
- $20,350
Alaska Pacific University graduates 47% of its students, above the 40% average across this ranking, on a 60.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 60.1, #5 of 5
- 47% graduation rate
- $20,350 tuition
- Smallest campus in this ranking
Based in Anchorage, AK, Alaska Pacific University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Business Administration program lands at #5 of the 5 ranked here, earning a 60.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70 group average, in the lower third of the 5 ranked programs. The program graduates 47% of its students, above the 40% average across the ranked schools. Alaska Pacific University admits 96% of applicants, less selective than the 80% average for the group. That is more open than the 63% rate at University of Alaska Southeast, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 28% to 56%.
On cost, Alaska Pacific University charges $20,350 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $81,400 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,192 at University of Alaska Anchorage to $20,350 at Alaska Pacific University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
What a Bachelor's in Business Administration Costs in Alaska
In-state tuition among the 5 ranked programs in Alaska runs from $6,192 to $20,350 a year. University of Alaska Anchorage anchors the low end at $6,192, while Alaska Pacific University sits at the top at $20,350. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $24,768 in tuition at the low end against roughly $81,400 at the high end for the same bachelor's in business administration. Against the national median of $105,770 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
A higher price does not automatically buy a stronger degree. Weigh each school's graduation rate and net price, not just its sticker tuition, and use its net price calculator for your own situation before comparing.
Accreditation and Value: What to Check First
Every school ranked here is accredited and reports to the federal IPEDS system, so the Hakia Score never rewards an unaccredited program for being cheap or convenient. Accreditation is what makes a business degree count with employers, licensing boards, and other schools, so confirm it on the program's own page before enrolling, not after.
Low tuition only pays off when the degree finishes and counts. That is why this ranking weighs completion alongside cost: a cheap program that graduates a fraction of its students is not a bargain. Where a field carries programmatic accreditation on top of institutional accreditation, look for it too.
Online Business Administration Options in Alaska
4 of the 5 ranked Alaska programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online business degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
What changes online is flexibility, not the credential. Before committing, confirm whether courses are self-paced, whether any on-campus intensives are required, and whether the online section charges the in-state rate to every student, which can erase the residency discount that makes a nearby public so cheap.
Business Administration Careers and Pay After an Alaska Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $6,192 or $20,350 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and state-level wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS. Graduates of any ranked Alaska program compete in that same national pay structure.
Common Questions About Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Alaska
What is the best business degree in Alaska?
By Hakia Score, University of Alaska Southeast ranks first among the 5 business administration programs in Alaska we analyzed, with a 76.6 score and a 28% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does a business degree cost in Alaska?
In-state tuition among the ranked Alaska programs runs from $6,192 to $20,350 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online business degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $105,770 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Alaska-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
Our Methodology for Ranking Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Alaska
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.