Computer and Information Sciences at University of Alaska Anchorage

The most striking detail about UAA's Computer Science program isn't the near-median earnings—it's that graduates leave with 63% more debt than the national median for this degree. At $40,742, that debt load ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, meaning only 5% of similar programs saddle students with more. With just three schools offering this degree in Alaska, in-state options are limited, but this debt burden should prompt serious consideration of alternatives, whether that means online programs from lower-cost institutions or starting at a community college.

The first-year earnings of $60,222 land squarely in the middle of the pack nationally (47th percentile), which isn't inherently problematic for a CS degree. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 is manageable—you'd expect to earn back the full debt amount in less than a year. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing considerably year-to-year, making this program harder to evaluate with confidence.

For Alaska families committed to staying in-state, UAA might be the most accessible path to a CS degree given the state's limited options. But the debt premium is real and substantial. Parents should compare the total cost of attendance here against out-of-state online programs from universities with stronger track records and lower debt loads—the remote work nature of many tech jobs makes geographic flexibility particularly valuable in this field.