Biological and Physical Sciences at University of Alaska Anchorage

Starting at $32,699 might feel underwhelming for a bachelor's degree, but UAA's interdisciplinary science program carries significantly less debt than typical—$17,354 versus the $24,250 national median. That's nearly $7,000 less borrowed, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means graduates owe roughly half their first year's salary, a manageable starting point. The earnings sit slightly below the national median for this field, but since only two Alaska schools offer this program and costs vary widely, you're essentially looking at one of your two in-state options.

The caveat here matters: we're working with a small graduating class (under 30 students), so these numbers could shift substantially year to year. One or two outliers can skew the entire picture. Still, the lower debt burden creates breathing room that higher-earning programs with $30,000+ in loans don't always provide. If your child plans to pursue graduate school—common for science majors—starting with less undergraduate debt becomes even more valuable.

For an Alaska family keeping costs down while staying in-state, this program offers reasonable access to science training without the debt trap that can derail early-career plans. Just recognize that $32,699 means living modestly in Anchorage initially, and graduate education may be necessary for career advancement in specialized scientific fields.