Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at University of Alaska Anchorage

University of Alaska Anchorage's Liberal Arts associate's degree sits in an unusual position: it outperforms most programs nationwide but trails other Alaska options by a notable margin. While graduates earn $30,114 in their first year—placing them in the 72nd percentile nationally—that same figure lands in just the 40th percentile among Alaska's five programs. The gap is meaningful: UAA graduates earn about $4,000 less annually than the state median and nearly $8,000 less than what University of Alaska Fairbanks liberal arts graduates command.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $13,000, borrowing sits below the national average and translates to a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio—less than half a year's salary. Earnings also grow steadily, reaching $33,410 by year four. For an open-enrollment associate's program, these fundamentals are sound. The question is whether attending UAA makes sense when other Alaska programs appear to deliver better outcomes at similar debt levels.

This program works best for students who need UAA's Anchorage location or specific transfer pathways. But if flexibility exists, families should compare costs and outcomes against UAF and other in-state options. The national comparison looks favorable, but Alaska's job market clearly rewards liberal arts credentials differently across campuses—and UAA isn't capturing that premium.