Alaska Trends
Alaska’s University system aspires to have one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation. To match its wide variety of degrees and programs spread between three separately accredited universities spanning more than a dozen campuses, UAA initiated a process to create a diversity and inclusion action plan in 2016. With many of its campuses located on the traditional homelands of Alaska Native peoples, the UA system is home to a large demographic of American Indian and Alaska Native students. Below is a snapshot of UA’s student population by campus, as well as a brief overview of the university system’s path to becoming the state’s premier educational institution.
The median age of a University of Alaska student is 25.
51% are over the age of 25.
527 international students attended the University of Alaska in 2018.
Over 50% are enrolled in Anchorage.
The Fairbanks campus has the largest physical footprint with 160 buildings,
followed by Anchorage (65), and then Juneau (29).
The smallest campus is Sitka (1).
The smallest campus is Sitka (1).
Note: Headcount is unduplicated at the reporting level. Figures count students who audit for-credit courses and exclude students taking only one or more non-credit courses.
Sources: www.alaska.edu/ir/reporting/UAR 202020_Enrollment_07 2010 2020.pdf and www.alaska.edu/ir/reporting/UAR 202020_Facilities_07 2010 2020.pdf
Sources: www.alaska.edu/ir/reporting/UAR 202020_Enrollment_07 2010 2020.pdf and www.alaska.edu/ir/reporting/UAR 202020_Facilities_07 2010 2020.pdf
The Evolution of the University of Alaska
1917
Alaska Agricultural College established in Fairbanks.
Alaska Agricultural College established in Fairbanks.
1935
Alaska Agricultural College becomes University of Alaska.
Alaska Agricultural College becomes University of Alaska.
1950
Anchorage Community College is established on Fort Richardson.
Anchorage Community College is established on Fort Richardson.
1954
Ketchikan Community College is established.
Ketchikan Community College is established.
1958
Palmer Community College is established.
Palmer Community College is established.
1959
Alaska joins the union.
Alaska joins the union.
1960
The city of Kenai is incorporated.
The city of Kenai is incorporated.
1962
Anchorage Community College becomes part of the University of Alaska.
Anchorage Community College becomes part of the University of Alaska.
Sitka Community College is established.
1963
Palmer Community College becomes Mat-Su Community College.
Palmer Community College becomes Mat-Su Community College.
1968
Kodiak Community College is established.
1969
Kenai Community College is established.
Kenai Community College is established.
1971
ACC and the Anchorage Senior College are combined to create the orginal University of Alaska Anchorage.
ACC and the Anchorage Senior College are combined to create the orginal University of Alaska Anchorage.
1971
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act is signed into law.
1975
University of Alaska programs based in Fairbanks spin off to become the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
University of Alaska programs based in Fairbanks spin off to become the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
1977
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System is completed.
The Trans Alaska Pipeline System is completed.
1980
First Permanent Fund Dividend legislation enacted.
First Permanent Fund Dividend legislation enacted.
1987
UAA is merged with the Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak Community College, and Mat-Su Community College creating the expanded University of Alaska Anchorage.
UAA is merged with the Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak Community College, and Mat-Su Community College creating the expanded University of Alaska Anchorage.
University of Alaska Juneau, Ketchikan Community College, and Islands Community College (Sitka) are restructured creating the University of Alaska Southeast.