Computer Programming at University of Alaska Anchorage

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 suggests this associate degree program offers a manageable financial picture, with comparable programming programs nationwide producing first-year earnings around $38,000 against typical debt loads under $18,000. That's roughly half a year's salary in borrowing—a reasonable burden for a two-year credential in a field with ongoing demand. However, these figures come from peer programs across the country, not UAA's actual graduates, so they represent what similar associate-level programming degrees typically deliver rather than what this specific program has demonstrated.

The challenge is that Alaska's tech job market differs dramatically from the Lower 48, with fewer employers and potentially different salary structures in Anchorage. While the national benchmarks show some programs reaching $44,000+ in first-year earnings, we can't verify where UAA's graduates land within that range. The relatively low Pell Grant percentage (19%) suggests this isn't primarily serving students with the most limited resources, though that's a small data point.

For families considering this program, the estimated numbers point to a reasonably affordable technical credential, but you're betting on Alaska's local tech economy absorbing programming graduates at rates comparable to national patterns. If your student plans to stay in Anchorage after graduation, research the actual hiring landscape for associate-level programmers there—that local reality matters more than these nationwide estimates.