Economics at University of Alaska Anchorage

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests a manageable starting point—peer economics programs nationally indicate roughly $52,000 in first-year earnings against an estimated $21,650 in borrowing for UAA graduates. That's less than half your first-year salary in debt, which meets conventional affordability thresholds. However, it's worth noting this ratio is built entirely on national patterns since neither UAA's actual graduate outcomes nor state-level comparisons are available.

The challenge with Alaska economics programs is the thin data landscape. With only two schools offering this degree in the state and no reported outcomes from either, you're essentially betting on whether national patterns hold in Alaska's unique economy. The state's resource-extraction focus and government-heavy employment might reward economics grads differently than the Lower 48, but there's no local evidence to confirm that either way. The estimate puts UAA right at the national median—neither a bargain nor overpriced relative to peer programs.

For families weighing this decision, the estimated figures suggest adequate financial fundamentals if your student plans to stay in Alaska or leverage the degree in ways that match typical economics outcomes. But acknowledge you're making this choice without visibility into how UAA economics grads specifically fare—a data gap that matters more in Alaska's distinct labor market than it might elsewhere.