University of Alaska Southeast Acceptance Rate, Admissions & Graduation

I am not going to tell you whether it is the right university for your child. An article does not decide that. But if, by the end of reading, you clearly understand what kind of institution it is, what it would cost you, how it admits students, and what happens to students once they enroll, you will have a solid piece for your plan. Let us build it together.

Who this university is and where it stands

University of Alaska Southeast is a public institution, four years or longer, located in Juneau, within the City and Borough of Juneau, Alaska. The Carnegie system—which classifies United States universities according to what they do, not their prestige—describes it as a master's university, with medium programs.

Here is a first fact worth pausing over: the government classifies it as a very small, primarily nonresidential institution. This label applies when fewer than 25 out of every 100 degree-seeking undergraduate students live in institution-owned housing, or when fewer than half study full time. The data do not clarify which of the two conditions was met, and it also does not mean there are no dormitories—in fact, there are, and you will see that later. What it does clearly tell you is that this is not, in its general structure, a university where most students live enclosed in a traditional residential campus.

The area around campus is classified as rural near a city, not within a large urban area. If your family does not live near Juneau, this matters: the data identify the school's address, not where your child would live or how long the trip to get there would take. If you are considering this university, calculate moving, housing, and transportation logistics separately before deciding.

Regarding academic level, IPEDS records a post-master's certificate as the highest level the institution reports offering, and classifies it as a degree-granting institution, primarily bachelor's degree or higher. This is a general institutional fact: it does not tell you whether the specific major your child is interested in exists here or whether it connects undergraduate and graduate study. That must be verified program by program.

One last piece of identity: University of Alaska Southeast is not listed as a historically Black college or university (HBCU), Tribal College, or land-grant institution. Of the 3,012 universities in this national directory, 138 do carry one of those three designations. Not having them says nothing about which students it serves or how your child would feel there. You find that out by asking directly what cultural centers and student organizations exist today, and by speaking with someone who already studies there.

A small community, with more women and more adults than you might imagine

Let us talk about size and who makes up this community, because both change how a campus feels.

University of Alaska Southeast had 1,918 students enrolled in the official fall count. It is a medium-sized university, within the range of 1,000 to 4,999 students, but placed alongside its 519 peers—selective-admission public four-year schools included in this census—it is on the small side: seven out of ten of those schools, or more, have more students than it does. Of that total, 1,678 are undergraduates and 240 are graduate students. It is primarily an undergraduate institution.

Now, a fact that changes the mental picture many parents have of “college”: 45 out of every 100 undergraduate students are between 25 and 64 years old. It is not a campus filled only with teenagers just out of high school. And among undergraduates there are more women than men: 65 out of every 100 are women.

Most first-time students, 83 out of every 100, reported a permanent address in Alaska when applying for admission. It is, to a large extent, a university that serves its own state.

Regarding Hispanic or Latino composition: 9 out of every 100 undergraduate students are Hispanic or Latino. It is a small minority, and compared with its 519 peers, it falls below the middle of the group. That does not remove the school from any list or put it on one—it does not make the school bad, nor would having many Latino students make another one good. It is simply a fact about who is enrolled today. If your child would be among the few, the right questions during a visit are: what student groups exist, what support is available, and is there someone in the office who speaks Spanish? Also talk with a current student before deciding.

One technical fact worth understanding: the enrollment count (1,918) is not the same as the full-time equivalent IPEDS estimates (1,072). With so many part-time students at this school, do not assume a traditional class schedule. Ask directly what times the courses in the major your child is interested in are offered.

How the academic year works and how broad the program offerings are

The year at University of Alaska Southeast is organized by semesters: two long terms of about 15 weeks each. It is a standard calendar, with the same dates for everyone.

Something useful if your child already has credits from elsewhere: the university reported accepting both AP exam credits and what IPEDS calls “credit for life experience”—learning acquired through independent study, adult courses, work experience, portfolios, prior licenses, or military or professional opportunities. It also reported accepting credit for military training, and enrolling high school students in college credit courses, both within and outside a formal dual-enrollment program.

Here is the hard truth behind that optimistic paragraph: a university reporting that it accepts AP does not mean it will award credit for every exam. The data do not say what scores are required or whether those credits count toward your child's specific major. Request the equivalency evaluation in writing before enrolling. Do not budget for the savings until you have it in hand.

Regarding program offerings: University of Alaska Southeast awarded 130 bachelor's degrees during the year, distributed across 11 academic families (CIP). The family with the most degrees was business and administration, with 28 out of every 100 degrees that year—no other field surpassed it, but it also does not account for the majority. Compared with its 514 peers, it ranks in the quarter with the fewest academic families present in its bachelor's degree detail.

With such small numbers of degrees per year, the count can move substantially from one period to another. If your child's plan depends on a specific program, request the last three years for that exact major and do not treat a single year's figure as the current offering.

Regarding the student-to-faculty ratio: the university reports 9 students for each full-time-equivalent faculty member, one of the lowest ratios among its 519 peers—it is in the bottom quarter, with a lower ratio than three out of every four similar schools. That sounds good, and it probably is, but this figure does not measure actual class size or guarantee individual attention. Ask directly how many students are in first-year classes.

In addition to formal academics, the institution reports offering study abroad, a complete program that can be taken only at night or on weekends, credit-bearing developmental education, and pathways preparing students for teacher certification, including state approval for initial teacher certification.

How it admits students and how likely your child is to get in

Here is one of the most useful facts for your family plan.

University of Alaska Southeast does not have open admission. It reviews components before saying yes. Of nine possible considerations IPEDS asks about, it marked three as required: the high school record, high school grade-point average, and the English-proficiency examination for those to whom it applies. It also considers, without requiring them, the curriculum completed, a formal work sample (portfolio or competency examination), and work experience.

If your child studied outside the United States or attended high school in Spanish: ask today whether the English-proficiency examination applies and what would exempt them. These are things discovered late that can delay an entire application cycle.

The undergraduate application fee is $50.

In the 2023 cycle, 320 students applied for admission as first-year students and 200 received an offer of admission: 63 out of every 100. Compared with its 519 peers, it is on the lower-selectivity side—seven out of ten of those schools, or more, accepted a higher percentage of applicants. It is not guaranteed paperwork, and it is not a lottery: applications are reviewed, and a little more than one-third of applicants were not admitted.

Now comes a fact that almost no family knows and that is notable here: out of every 100 admitted students, 74 ultimately enrolled. It is one of the highest rates among its 519 peers—in fewer than one out of ten similar schools does a larger share of admitted students enroll. But do not read this as applause for the school. The data do not explain why so many admitted students chose to enroll; they only count it. What I do tell you, with a hand on your shoulder, is this: if your child receives an acceptance, ask that same day when the deposit is due and whether they can extend it while you wait for other letters. The fact that most enrolled quickly in prior years does not mean your child should commit in a hurry.

One clear policy fact: the university reported that it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admission decision, even if they are sent. This does not cover scholarships or course placement—ask about that separately if it applies.

Regarding transfers: of the cohort that entered in 2017 seeking a bachelor's degree, 23 out of every 100 transferred without completing here and enrolled at another institution. On the other hand, in fall 2023, 113 students arrived here for the first time after having previously studied at another institution. Changing schools is not failure. But if transferring is part of the plan, in either direction, ask in writing, with the exact course list in hand, which credits would be recognized.

The published price and what families actually pay

At University of Alaska Southeast, among 12 first-time, full-time students seeking a credential who received federal Title IV aid and paid the in-state or district tuition rate, whose EFC records showed family income below $30,000, the average net price was $4,340. Among 2 students in the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $12,084; among 5 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $11,405. For dependent students, the range combines their parents' income and their own.

The difference between the average for the lower-income range (12 students) and that for the higher-income range (5 students) is $7,065. Among first-year students who received any scholarship, the average was $8,488.

Among the 519 schools of the same type and control included in this census that reported this fact with the same time coverage, this one falls in the least expensive quarter for lower-income families, after scholarships are subtracted. That does not mean it is affordable for your family. It is a fact that matters when you build the list of schools to apply to.

The income ranges in this profile describe first-time, full-time students seeking a credential who received federal Title IV aid; at this public institution, they use the in-state or district tuition rate. The overall average with scholarships, when it appears, describes first-time, full-time students seeking a credential who received federal, state, local, or institutional scholarships or grants; it also uses that rate. If your family lives outside the state or district, the calculation is different. Ask for it before applying.

Financial aid and how it is actually paid for

At this university, 56 out of every 100 degree-seeking students received some form of aid that does not have to be repaid—a scholarship or grant. It is more than half, but not everyone. Compared with its 519 peers, it falls in the quarter where scholarships reach fewer students; among those who did receive them, the annual average was $7,074.

The Pell Grant—federal aid for low-income families with demonstrated need—reached 25 out of every 100 students. That is less than the overall aid share, which suggests that a substantial portion of that aid comes from other sources: state, institutional, or non-Pell federal aid. Ask directly which programs make up that difference and what requirements each one has.

Regarding loans: only 14 out of every 100 undergraduate students received a federal loan in academic year 2022-23. Most students at this university did not take out a federal loan that year. Compared with its 519 peers, federal borrowing is used here less than at almost all the others—nine out of ten similar schools, or more, had a larger share of students with loans.

Among those who did borrow, the average was $6,508 that year. A student appearing in this figure does not mean the loan covered the entire year; it only means they were loaned money. And this number is for one year only, solely for federal student loans—it does not include Parent PLUS loans signed by parents, bank debt, or debt accumulated across the entire degree. To determine that, all years would have to be added together, and that fact is not available here.

The university also reports a tuition installment-payment plan as a mechanism for managing costs.

When the financial-aid letter from this or any university arrives, separate it by hand into three piles: what does not have to be repaid, what must be repaid with interest, and what must be earned through work. Many letters mix them into one column, and that confusion is exactly what costs families more.

Campus life, sports, and support

University of Alaska Southeast does have institution-controlled housing, with a reported maximum capacity of 275 students. Not all full-time, first-time students are required to live there. It also offers meal plans, although the number of meals per week varies by the selected plan. The existence of housing does not guarantee a bed will be available for your child: request in writing the yearly rate, the application deadline, and whether a place is guaranteed or you are placed on a waiting list.

Regarding ROTC, the university marked no opportunity in its report—neither the general box nor any of the three military branches. Of the four-year institutions in this guide, 926 out of 1,786 did mark it; this one was not among them. Its not being marked does not prove that no nearby path exists. If that scholarship matters to your family, ask admissions directly before ruling it out.

Regarding sports: the university reports that it does not participate in intercollegiate athletics and does not belong to any national athletic association (neither NCAA nor NAIA nor any other major association). If sports are part of your child's plan, this matters in the decision. Ask whether intramural leagues or sports clubs exist—a club is not the same as a competitive varsity team.

One instructional-mode fact worth highlighting: 48 out of every 100 undergraduate students took all their classes at a distance in the fall count. It is among the highest shares among its 519 peers. This describes all undergraduates together, not necessarily your child's specific major—one major may be offered almost entirely online and the one next to it almost entirely in person. If the format matters, ask about the exact program.

The library operates with employed staff and its annual spending exceeded the government-recorded threshold of $100,000. It has physical and digital materials and offers interlibrary loan. Regarding general supports, the institution reports combined academic and career counseling, employment services for current students, placement services upon program completion, a dedicated contact point for veterans and military personnel, a student veterans organization, and a published web page of services for students with disabilities.

What happens after they enroll: retention and graduation

This is probably the most important section for honestly understanding what kind of experience students have here. It is worth reading slowly.

Of the cohort that entered in fall 2022 as first-time, full-time, bachelor's-degree-seeking students—a group of 56 people—71 out of every 100 met the official retention criterion: they were still enrolled here or had already completed their bachelor's degree one year later. Compared with its 519 peers, this figure is in the lower part: seven out of ten similar schools, or more, retained a larger share of their cohort.

It is important to clearly state what this number does not distinguish: it does not separate those still studying from those who already graduated, and not re-enrolling is not the same as leaving school—someone who transferred and continues studying at another university counts the same as someone who left school altogether.

Now, the graduation rate. Of 70 students who entered in 2017 seeking a bachelor's degree, full time and with no previous college attendance, six years later 23 appeared as graduates of this same school: 33 out of every 100. At four years, the figure was 26 out of every 100—only 7 points fewer. Compared with its 518 peers, this university falls in the bottom quarter: three out of every four similar schools, or more, reported a larger share of graduates.

It is worth seeing the complete breakdown of those 70 students, because it tells a more nuanced story than a single number: 23 completed a bachelor's degree here, 6 completed a program shorter than four years here, 16 transferred to another institution without completing here, 5 were still enrolled without having completed, and 20 fell into the “no longer enrolled” category—a category that does not explain the reason and may include people who graduated after the measured time window.

This number is for the entire school. IPEDS does not report graduation by major, so if your child is pursuing a specific program, that fact must be requested directly from the corresponding department. And that is why it is wise for their list to include more than one option.

There is one additional, longer-term fact: following a broader annual cohort of 511 students who entered between July 2015 and June 2016—including full-time and part-time students—as of August 2023, eight years later, 37 out of every 100 had a degree or certificate from this school. The majority, 63 out of every 100, did not have one. Among those who specifically received a Pell Grant, that figure fell to 30 out of every 100, ten points below those who did not receive Pell. Compared with its 519 peers, this university is at the bottom of that table.

I am telling you this without softening it because it is exactly what you need to know to decide with your eyes open, not to scare you: most students who entered in that cohort had not received a degree from this school eight years later. The data do not say why or what happened to them afterward. If Pell would apply to your family, ask specifically what exists for those students—an assigned counselor, emergency aid, whether institutional scholarships renew every year—and ask for the answer in writing.

How to put this together with what applies to your child and your family

You now know, in considerable depth, one piece of the map: what kind of university University of Alaska Southeast is, how it admits students, what it costs in its two versions, how it helps pay, and what happens to its students once they are inside. That piece is real and it is yours now.

But it is one piece, not the complete map. What is missing is what your child wants to study and what they have already built to get here. Your child is responsible for their effort, their curiosity, and ultimately the direction of their life—that is not yours to decide for them. Your responsibility is to understand the money, review the dates, ask the uncomfortable questions before signing anything, and support them without making them carry alone a system they are only beginning to learn.

If Alaska is far from home, begin that conversation now, not in April. If the net price by family income gives you a favorable signal, verify that it applies to your exact residency situation. If the major your child is interested in does not appear clearly in these general data, request it directly from the department before falling in love with the entire university.

No figure on this page decides for you. But now, when you see it alongside the other universities on your list, you will read it with different eyes.

Note on sources: the information in this article comes from official reports University of Alaska Southeast submitted to IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) of the United States Department of Education, primarily from the 2022-23 and 2023-24 cycles, as indicated in each section. Best College Aid does not represent University of Alaska Southeast or any government agency; this article organizes and explains public data to help you understand them.