Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Alaska
Often overshadowed by its breathtaking natural beauty and unique geographical location, Alaska is home to several quality liberal arts colleges. These institutions provide a broad-based education designed to develop intellectual abilities instead of professional or vocational skills. Let’s delve into the top liberal arts colleges in Alaska, highlighting their programs, annual costs, enrollment, and SAT ranges.
University of Alaska Southeast
Located in Juneau, the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) offers a personalized educational experience with a student-teacher ratio 10:1.
Information About Liberal Arts Programs
UAS provides various liberal arts programs through its College of Arts and Sciences. These programs span English, History, Anthropology, and Environmental Science. The university focuses on fostering analytical and critical thinking skills among its students.
Annual Cost, Enrollment, and SAT Range
The annual in-state tuition at UAS is approximately $7,092. UAS enrolls around 2,500 students, and while it has a policy of open admissions, the average SAT range for admitted students is 970-1170.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is a public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Alaska system.
Information About Liberal Arts Programs
UAF’s College of Liberal Arts is the largest of the university’s colleges and schools. It offers diverse programs in fields like English, History, Philosophy, and Art. UAF encourages interdisciplinary study and experiential learning.
Annual Cost, Enrollment, and SAT Range
The in-state tuition at UAF is approximately $7,176 per year. The university enrolls over 7,400 students, with an average SAT score range of 1030-1270.
University of Alaska Anchorage
Based in Anchorage, the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is the largest institution in the University of Alaska system.
Information About Liberal Arts Programs
UAA’s College of Arts and Sciences offers many liberal arts programs, such as English, Psychology, History, and Political Science. The college focuses on enriching students with broad knowledge and transferrable skills.
Annual Cost, Enrollment, and SAT Range
The annual in-state tuition at UAA is about $8,580. The university enrolls roughly 14,500 students. The average SAT range for UAA is 970-1200.
Alaska Pacific University
In Anchorage, Alaska, Pacific University (APU) is a private institution offering various liberal arts programs.
Information About Liberal Arts Programs
APU provides liberal arts degrees in areas like Environmental Science, Creative & Professional Writing, and Psychology. The university prides itself on its experiential and personalized learning approach.
Annual Cost, Enrollment, and SAT Range
The annual tuition at APU is approximately $20,800. The university enrolls around 500 students, with a general SAT range of 1050-1250.
Alaska Vocational Technical Center
The Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) is a vocational training center based in Seward. While not a traditional liberal arts college, it offers programs integrating liberal arts knowledge.
Information About Liberal Arts Programs
AVTEC provides programs in areas such as Business and Office Technology and Industrial Electricity, which incorporate foundational knowledge from liberal arts disciplines.
Annual Cost, Enrollment, and SAT Range
The annual cost at AVTEC varies based on the program but is generally under $10,000. The center enrolls several hundred students each year. AVTEC does not have a standard SAT score requirement.
Alaska Christian College
In Soldotna, Alaska Christian College (ACC) is a private, faith-based institution.
Information About Liberal Arts Programs
ACC offers a Christian Ministry degree and a General Studies degree, incorporating liberal arts components.
Annual Cost, Enrollment, and SAT Range
The annual cost of attending ACC is around $14,000. The college enrolls roughly 100 students. ACC does not have a standard SAT requirement.
Ilisagvik College
Ilisagvik College is located in Barrow and is Alaska’s only tribal college.
Information About Liberal Arts Programs
Ilisagvik offers an Associate of Arts degree with a focus on Inupiaq Studies, incorporating a solid liberal arts foundation with a focus on the history, culture, and language of the Inupiaq people.
Annual Cost, Enrollment, and SAT Range
The annual cost to attend Ilisagvik College is about $4,200. The college has an enrollment of around 500 students. There’s no standard SAT score requirement at Ilisagvik.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Three Other States
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California
In California, colleges like Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, and Harvey Mudd College are renowned for their liberal arts programs. These colleges, part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, offer many programs and an intimate community setting.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Oregon
Reed College and Lewis & Clark College, both located in Portland, are among the best liberal arts colleges in Oregon. They offer diverse liberal arts programs and promote a vibrant intellectual culture.
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in British Columbia
In British Columbia, Canada, the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University offer vital liberal arts programs, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and global awareness among their students.
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