- Anyone comparing accredited MBA programs on cost and real outcomes
- Career-changers who want a structured, credentialed path
- You already have a clear top-choice school and just need to apply
- You're after a short certificate or executive course, not a full MBA
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Embarking on the journey to earn an MBA in Alaska is a deeply personal and exciting venture for me. I see this opportunity as more than an academic pursuit; it’s a chance to immerse myself in a unique learning environment that marries the rugged beauty of Alaska with the intellectual challenges of business education.
As I navigate through this educational landscape, I anticipate gaining not only a comprehensive understanding of business principles but also a firsthand appreciation for the resilience and adaptability required in both the business world and the Alaskan wilderness.
This pursuit is not just about acquiring a degree; it’s about a transformative experience that aligns with my professional aspirations and my desire for a holistic education in a place as extraordinary as Alaska.
Alaska’s Flourishing Economy
As the largest state in the US, Alaska is economically driven by its fishing, tourism, and massive oil industry. In 1967, at its peak, Alaska was dubbed a world-class oil and gas province! Today, the oil industry accounts for about 25% of employment in the state.
Equally flourishing in Alaska are its timber, mining, logging, and agriculture sectors. The construction industry is ramping up, as well, with federal infrastructure funds seen to rejuvenate the region’s economy.
Manufacturing employment, which is mainly seafood processing in Alaska, is recovering from the decline brought on by the pandemic. The same can be said of the state’s transportation and retail industries.
How do residents in Alaska fare in terms of educational attainment? To date, 33.7% of individuals in the state hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
A strong workforce characterizes the state, and efforts are being put forth to enhance the employment landscape. Through the Incumbent Worker Training program, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development offers qualified employers opportunities to improve workforce productivity. The IWT program is funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to help employees obtain enhanced transferable job skills and earn industry-recognized credentials to qualify for career advancement opportunities—benefiting both employees and employers.
Top MBA Programs in Alaska
If you’re looking to raise your chances of becoming an indispensable part of the workforce, it makes sense to achieve more academically. Upon completing your undergraduate program, finding the best MBA programs in Alaska and earning yours is the next best step! Take a look at your best options!
01College of Business and Public Policy - University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska - Anchorage’s Business and Public Policy takes pride in its impressive faculty of academic and industry experts. It presents a wide range of degree programs at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels.
Fostering action-based learning, The UAA Master of Business Administration – General Management program, offered through the CBPP, showcases innovative instructional techniques. It also entails the completion of Accounting, Finance, and Economics for Managers as foundation courses. Students may design their own custom emphasis area, with Business Intelligence and Business Analytics Emphasis and Leadership Emphasis as their choices.
With a focus on Management Practice, the UAA MBA Program connects students to the business community within Anchorage—Alaska’s largest metropolitan area—and its neighboring areas. It exposes students to a vast network of industry experts and business professionals.
It received approval from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-International.
Consequently, students learn the strategies for effectively managing teams and taking on leadership roles in businesses and organizations. They gain a deep understanding of business principles and practices to thrive in a volatile business environment.
02College of Business & Security Management - University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks, a land, space, and sea-grant academic institution, upholds its status as a premier Arctic University in the US, as well as an R1 Research Institute.
Delivering a solid, advanced management education, UAF’s Master of Business Administration program through the College of Business and Security Management features small classes and industry-expert faculty. Students who hold a non-business undergraduate degree can get the UAF Pre-MBA modules and work with a graduate advisor to prepare for their MBA.
With accreditation from AACSB, the 100% online MBA guarantees that it meets rigorous academic standards. Students can choose one of these eight concentrations:
- Blue
- Business Analytics
- Business Continuity
- Cybersecurity
- General Management
- Healthcare
- One Health
- STEM
Students may customize their degree by selecting any of these approved MBA electives:
- Master of Security and Disaster Management (MSDM) that enables experienced emergency management and homeland security professionals to meet operational to strategic requirements relating to public safety
- Master of Healthcare Management and Leadership (MHML) designed by and for healthcare professionals
03University of Alaska Southeast
The University of Alaska Southeast is a separately accredited university that is part of the University of Alaska system. It provides “community college” undergraduate and post-baccalaureate programs. On top of supporting collaborative research activities across the state, the university fosters industry partnerships, allowing them to provide students with state-of-the-art equipment for training, excellent internship opportunities, and exciting career paths that put their skills to the test.
UAS achieved accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, ensuring it meets rigorous academic standards and delivers a solid education, including at graduate levels.
The UAS Master of Public Administration program produces graduates who are prepared for positions of leadership and expanded responsibility in government and non-profit organizations. Offering extensive networking and career advancement opportunities in Alaska and the Yukon territory, it is delivered through the Business and Public Administration department,
The UAS MPA offers concentrations in:
- General
- Higher Education
- Rural Development
The program is offered at UAS’ Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka campuses. Students may also opt to earn the MBA online.
The UAS MPA program is a National Association of Schools of Public Affairs & Administration institutional member.
04Alaska Pacific University
Based in Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University delivers superior academic programs based on ethical engagement, effective communication, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and cultural or historical perspectives as core competencies. APU seeks to produce highly qualified professionals who can handle top-level positions across numerous industries.
The Alaska Pacific Master of Business Administration is intended for working adults exploring career-enhancing changes or charting new career paths through advanced education and training. Through this MBA program, students gain a mastery of the business concepts learned through small cohort-style, collaborative learning with direction from a faculty of industry experts.
The Alaska Pacific MBA is offered in two concentrations:
- Finance, focusing on capital, valuations, securities markets, and portfolio and investment theory
- Health Services Administration, offering specialized Finance, Systems & Policy, Ethics, and Evaluation and Outcomes courses.
Alaska Pacific also delivers the Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership for mid- and upper-management professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge of core organizational development concepts and steer their organization toward sustainability.
Alaska Pacific MBA alumni are expected to be adept at building and maintaining organizational cultures, planning and managing organizational change, and implementing traditional transition processes.
05Wayland Baptist University – Anchorage
Wayland Baptist University – Anchorage campus offers a range of undergraduate and graduate studies that provide flexible online or evening classes. As an extension campus of Texas-based WBU, the Anchorage campus delivers high-quality private, Christian education to students, as approved by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges.
Fostering a challenging academic environment with a Christian-based learning perspective, WBU features teachers who serve as students’ mentors, helping them carve the path to success in their careers while making a meaningful impact on the community.
The WBU Master of Business Administration at Anchorage campus is delivered through the School of Business. It features programs in general business, accounting, business analytics, general management, HR management, HR administration, organization management, management info systems, and project management.
Graduate studies focus on strengthening a student’s leadership, problem-solving, research, and analysis skills so they become competent professionals in their chosen fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the MBA tuition rates in Alaska universities?
Alaskan residents pursuing an MBA in these graduate institutions can expect to pay the following:
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- Master of Business Administration - General Management: $10,587 in tuition and fees
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Master of Business Administration: $135/graduate course credit
- University of Alaska Southeast
- Master of Public Administration: $513 for graduate credit
- Alaska Pacific University
- Master of Business Administration: undisclosed; prospective students are encouraged to contact their advisor and use the net price calculator
- Wayland Baptist University - Anchorage campus
- Master of Business Administration: $5,712 as a direct cost of attendance at a WBU external campus like Anchorage
How much do MBA holders get paid in Alaska?
Professionals in Alaska earn as much as $163,400 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. However, the average range for wages varies based on skill level, experience, and location. While Alaska is home to numerous businesses and thriving sectors, places of economic advancement that require highly educated professionals (and pay them handsomely!) are relatively limited to a few towns or boroughs, such as Lakes, Ketchikan, and College.
Is earning an MBA worth it in Alaska?
As the economy is heading toward post-pandemic recovery, it is anticipated that all industries in Alaska “will grow or hold steady.” Despite volatile prices and other factors, oil and construction projects, as well as the seafood and retail industries in Alaska, are forecasted to add jobs.
That said, Alaska industries are expected to capitalize on well-educated and skilled professionals who are uniquely positioned for bigger roles and job responsibilities. Earning an MBA to raise your chances of elevating your career in your field of expertise is a wise decision.
