University of Alaska Anchorage Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Alaska state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships and WUE discounts
- Competitive and departmental awards worth exploring
- Honors College benefits and full-tuition opportunities
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~73%
- Middle 50% ACT: 19–26
- Middle 50% SAT: 1010–1260
- Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.2–3.8
Source: University of Alaska Anchorage Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
University of Alaska Anchorage at a Glance
Last verified: October 10, 2025
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers generous in-state aid and WUE discounts that make it a standout value in the Pacific Northwest. Strong students can qualify for the UA Scholars or Chancellor’s Scholarship, which can cover full tuition, while out-of-state students save thousands through WUE.
With a growing Honors College, strong research focus, and affordable cost structure, UAA gives both Alaska and Western-region students a realistic path to a low-debt degree.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — UAA is test-optional through 2026 and considers GPA, course rigor, and test scores (if submitted) for merit awards.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 19–26; SAT: 1010–1260 (for students who submitted scores).
What’s the average net price? About $13,931/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes — UAA participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), reducing tuition for residents of eligible western states by about 40%.
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/financial-aid/scholarships.cshtml
https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/academiccalendar/tuitionfees/
https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/undergraduateprograms/honorscollege/
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/about/facts.cshtml
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?102553-University-of-Alaska-Anchorage
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=102553
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-alaska-anchorage
https://wiche.edu/wue/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Alaska Anchorage
| Expense Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12 credits/term) | $7,266 | $21,666 |
| Housing & Meals | $10,750 | $10,750 |
| Total (before aid) | $18,016 | $32,416 |
Note: Books, personal, and transportation costs are not listed in the table because they vary by student and are not paid directly to the university.
💡 Example: A WUE student pays about $8,676 in tuition instead of $20,184—saving families roughly $11,500 per year before fees.
WUE Quick FAQ
Who qualifies? Residents of participating western states; some majors may be excluded.
How much do you save? About $11,500 per year compared to the standard nonresident tuition rate (tuition only).
Is it automatic? No separate scholarship application is required—eligibility is determined through UAA admissions and WUE program rules.
University COA page: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/costs/index.cshtml
Tuition & fees page: https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/academicpoliciesprocesses/tuitionfees/
Mandatory fees (per-credit) page: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/costs/index.cshtml#fees
Housing rates (2025–2026): https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/housing-rates.cshtml
Meal plans (2025–2026): https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/meal-plans.cshtml
WUE program page: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/apply/western-exchange.cshtml
College Scorecard (Average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?102553-University-of-Alaska-Anchorage
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
At UAA, automatic scholarships are limited but important—mainly for Alaska’s top high school graduates and students admitted to the Honors College. These awards are granted when you apply for admission and meet the published criteria; no extra application is required.
| Scholarship | Award Amount (per year) | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UA Scholars Award | $3,750/year ($1,875/semester) | Top 10% of class at Alaska high schools | No | Yes (up to 4 years; maintain GPA/credits) | Alaska residents in top 10% of their HS class | August 15 after graduation |
| Academic Honors Housing Scholarship | $1,500/year toward housing | UA Scholars and/or admitted Honors College students who live on campus | No | Yes (while in Honors/UA Scholars and living on campus) | Honors or UA Scholars students choosing on-campus housing | Rolling, once admitted and housing assigned |
Note: Unlike many large public universities, UAA does not publish a broad GPA/test-score auto-merit grid for all freshmen. Most scholarships beyond those listed are handled through the UAA scholarship portal with priority deadlines.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need a separate application? No—if you qualify, UAA automatically applies these awards once you’re admitted and meet the criteria.
Are test scores required? For UA Scholars, eligibility is based on class rank, not test scores. For Honors admission (linked to the housing award), strong academics and essays matter more than test scores.
Does UAA superscore the ACT or SAT? No. UAA does not combine section scores across multiple test dates. Most programs use test scores mainly for placement, not admission.
Can these stack with other aid? Yes, though state awards like the Alaska Performance Scholarship may adjust so total aid doesn’t exceed full cost of attendance.
uaa.alaska.edu/financialaid/scholarships/
uaa.alaska.edu/financialaid/ua-scholars/
uaa.alaska.edu/honors/
alaska.edu/ua_scholars/
uaa.alaska.edu/housing/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
UAA does not publish a central set of university-level, first-year competitive scholarships (the kind with campus-wide essays/interviews and limited freshman slots). Instead, competitive opportunities are routed through Honors and individual colleges/departments.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No central freshman competitive awards published | — | N/A | — | — | See Honors and Hidden Gems sections for selective options | UA Portal: Oct 1–Feb 15 |
Where to look instead: (1) Honors College competitive tuition awards (listed in the Honors section), and (2) departmental/leadership awards such as Engineering’s PLTW and USUAA leadership scholarships. Most campus scholarships use the UA Scholarship Portal (Oct 1–Feb 15).
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Are there campus-wide freshman competitions? Not currently published. UAA routes selective awards through Honors and departments.
How do we apply for competitive awards? Use the UA Scholarship Portal via UAOnline (Oct 1–Feb 15 window). Some departments have additional forms or essays.
Do competitive awards stack? Often yes, but some funds cap total aid. Check your award letter for stacking rules.
What’s the best strategy? Apply to Honors, complete the UA Portal early, and target department/leadership awards that match your student’s profile (now listed under Hidden Gems).
uaa.alaska.edu/financialaid/scholarships/
uaa.alaska.edu/honors/
alaska.edu/ua_scholars/
uaonline.alaska.edu/
🎖️ Honors College
UAA’s University Honors College (UHC) is designed for high-achieving and highly motivated students who want more than a standard degree. Students apply separately, and UA Scholars are automatically admitted. Honors offers a supportive community, small seminars, and direct access to faculty mentors—without adding extra time to graduation.
GPA around 3.5+* in high school, rigorous college-prep courses, leadership or service involvement, and a strong personal statement or essay.
*Estimate based on past applicant profiles, since exact GPA cutoffs are not published.
• Priority registration and advising
• Dedicated Honors housing option
• Small seminar-style classes
• Opportunities for research, national fellowships, and study abroad
• Honors-specific scholarships that help offset tuition and housing
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Tuition Awards | $500–$2,000 (one-time) | Students admitted to University Honors College | Yes (Honors application + selection) | No (typically one-time) | Honors students with strong GPA and active research/leadership | March 15 (early), July 15 (reg.), Aug 15 (extended) |
| UAA Administrative Scholarship | $500–$1,500 (partial tuition) | New and continuing Honors students | Yes (letter to Honors Dean) | No (one-time, can reapply future years) | Honors students showing clear goals and academic progress | Rolling (priority by March 15) |
| Academic Honors Housing Scholarship | $1,500/year housing discount | UA Scholars and/or admitted Honors who live on campus | No | Yes (while in Honors/UA Scholars + in housing) | Honors admits/UA Scholars in campus housing | After UAA housing assigned |
Award ranges are based on recent posted amounts and past cycles. Actual awards may change year to year depending on funding; confirm with Honors College for updates.
Honors College FAQ
Is admission automatic? No—students must apply to the Honors College, though UA Scholars are guaranteed acceptance.
Does it add time to your degree? No. Honors requirements are built into general education and electives, so students still graduate on time.
Are there deadlines? Yes—March 15 (early), July 15 (regular), and August 15 (extended) for fall entry.
Does Honors come with extra scholarships? Yes—competitive tuition awards, the UAA Administrative Scholarship, and the Honors Housing Scholarship all provide meaningful support, though funding is limited.
uaa.alaska.edu/honors/
uaa.alaska.edu/financialaid/scholarships/
uaa.alaska.edu/financialaid/ua-scholars/
uaonline.alaska.edu/
uaa.alaska.edu/housing/
⭐ College Specialty
Families often ask: what is UAA really known for? While it isn’t an R1 university, the University of Alaska Anchorage plays a central role in Alaska’s workforce, research, and industry training. From aviation to nursing, UAA connects directly with the state’s biggest needs—making its programs stand out nationally and statewide.
Aviation Technology — UAA’s Aviation programs at Merrill Field are the largest in Alaska and among the strongest in the Pacific Northwest, training pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance technicians for a state where air travel is essential.
- Arctic Security & Policy: UAA leads the Department of Homeland Security’s ADAC-ARCTIC Center of Excellence (up to $46M funding), giving students direct pathways into Arctic and homeland security research.
- Health & Nursing: UAA’s School of Nursing trains more nurses than any other Alaska institution, with statewide clinical placements and high demand across rural regions.
- Engineering: Recognized for programs tailored to Alaska’s infrastructure and environmental challenges, with specialties in civil and mechanical engineering tied to cold-region design.
- Social & Economic Research: The Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) is a nationally respected center providing data on Alaska’s economy, energy, and public policy—informing state decisions and offering student research roles.
🔗 Official Links
- 📎 University of Alaska Anchorage Homepage
- 📎 University Honors College
- 📎 Scholarships & Financial Aid