University of Alaska Anchorage vs Arkansas State University

University of Alaska Anchorage and Arkansas State University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Alaska Anchorage is more selective with a 66.5% acceptance rate compared to Arkansas State University's 69.7%.

Cost: Arkansas State University offers a lower average net price at $13,085, which is $695 less than University of Alaska Anchorage ($13,780). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Alaska Anchorage earn a median salary of $51,871 ten years after enrollment, which is $9,254 more than Arkansas State University graduates ($42,617).

Graduation: Arkansas State University leads with a 53.9% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 71.7% vs 77.8%.

Campus Size: Arkansas State University is the larger campus with 7,994 total students, while University of Alaska Anchorage has 6,916.

Bottom Line: Arkansas State University wins on affordability while University of Alaska Anchorage leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.