Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Anchorage, Alaska
66.5% Acceptance Rate
University of Alaska Anchorage — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
66.5%Acceptance Rate
3.39Avg GPA
$21,848Annual Cost
$51,871Grad Salary
19.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
66.5%
Avg GPA
3.39
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$13,780
Need-Based Aid
19.1% receive Pell
University of Alaska Anchorage is the state's largest university and a hub for Arctic research, health sciences, and engineering programs. UAA serves Alaska's diverse population through multiple campus locations.
The 400-acre main campus includes the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) facility, health sciences simulation labs, and the new Engineering and Industry Building. The university's research addresses critical Arctic and subarctic challenges.
University of Alaska Anchorage Acceptance Rate
University of Alaska Anchorage is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Alaska Anchorage is 66.5%. This means that 67 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 66.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.94
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
UAA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UAA is 3.39. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.59-3.79 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.09 and 3.39, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
UAA GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at UAA utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.39, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.39 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.19 – 3.38
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.99 – 3.18
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.98
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- No essay, recommendation letters, or SAT/ACT scores required for general undergraduate admission; selective programs (Nursing, Western exchange medical program, certain allied health fields) have separate, additional requirements.
- Home to the only FAA-approved collegiate flight training program in Alaska and the state's only medical school pathway (WWAMI, in partnership with University of Washington, Alaska residents only).
- Acceptance rate clusters between roughly 60% and 67% across recent cycles and sources; largest university in the Alaska system with about two-thirds of all University of Alaska System students.
- Operates four distinct community campuses beyond Anchorage (Kenai Peninsula, Kodiak, Matanuska-Susitna, Prince William Sound), each serving specific regional populations.
- The Rigor Metric: At UAA, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UAA
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Alaska Anchorage's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into UAA Without SAT or ACT?
University of Alaska Anchorage does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UAA
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UAA is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
For aspiring pilots, treat UAA's flight program as a one-of-a-kind in-state option
UAA hosts the only FAA-approved collegiate flight training program in the state of Alaska - a genuine structural exclusivity, not just a strong offering among several options. For Alaska-based or Alaska-bound aviation students, frame this explicitly as a reason to consider UAA over out-of-state alternatives, since no other in-state collegiate program offers equivalent FAA-approved training.
For pre-med Alaska residents, build the WWAMI pathway into the plan from the start
UAA hosts Alaska's only medical school pathway through the WWAMI program (a partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine), which exclusively accepts Alaska residents and includes a targeted TRUST track linking students to rural and underserved Alaska communities for all four years. This is a structural opportunity unavailable to non-residents, so confirm Alaska residency status early for any pre-med student, since establishing residency (two years of in-state living) is itself a multi-year planning consideration.
Skip essay and recommendation prep for general admission
UAA does not require or recommend a personal essay, recommendation letters, or SAT/ACT scores for general undergraduate admission - though selective programs like Nursing or the Western exchange medical program carry separate, more demanding requirements. Confirm a student's intended major against this split immediately, since "UAA is easy to get into" doesn't apply uniformly across all programs.
Match the right UAA campus to the student's actual geography and goals
Beyond the main Anchorage campus, UAA operates four distinct community campuses (Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak College, Matanuska-Susitna College, and Prince William Sound College) serving specific regions - Kodiak College, for example, explicitly serves the nation's largest U.S. Coast Guard base alongside the city of Kodiak and seven rural communities. Help students match the right physical campus to their location and program needs rather than treating "UAA" as a single undifferentiated option.
Expert Insight:
Sources disagree on whether UAA has a strict open-admission policy or a more conditional one - some describe it as open admission, while others note a required secondary school record and GPA-based selectivity around 60-67%. Confirm the current policy directly with UAA admissions rather than assuming blanket open admission, since this affects how much weight a student should place on their GPA and coursework rigor.
UAA Profile
Full Name
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
City
Anchorage
State
Alaska
ZIP Code
99508
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a UAA Degree Worth It?
Getting into UAA can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. UAA offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at UAA is $72,100 and the graduate unemployment rate is 5.22%.
How much does a degree from UAA Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of Alaska Anchorage is $21,848. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Alaska Anchorage is $13,780.
19.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 14.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to UAA and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of Alaska Anchorage, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist UAA as your choice in the form.
How much does a UAA Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $51,871. An average UAA graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at UAA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by University of Alaska Anchorage →
Frequently Asked Questions About UAA Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $51,871 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $21,848 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
19.1% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The acceptance rate of University of Alaska Anchorage is 66.5% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.39. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.09, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.09, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.99 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.39, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.