[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]The best online colleges in Alaska offer multiple paths to degrees that prepare students to work in some of the state’s top industries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online education offers new and returning learners flexibility while ensuring safety and health. In Alaska, organizations like the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aste.org/”]Society for Technology in Education[/hen-ui-link] support innovations and increased accessibility in online learning. The best online colleges in Alaska provide several ways for students to receive the training to pursue employment in the state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This ranking lists programs using criteria like affordability, convenience, flexibility, quality of programming, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/accreditation/”]and accreditation[/hen-ui-link]. This page explores some of the key benefits of online learning for Alaskans and highlights how earning online degrees in fields like business and science can prepare learners to land jobs after graduation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in Alaska[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”employment-alaska”]Employment in Alaska[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://alaska.gov/kids/learn/economy.htm/”]Major industries[/hen-ui-link] in Alaska include oil, fishing, and tourism, followed by other sectors like agriculture, mining, and timber. Several of the most common and highest-paying careers in the state are in these fields.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/AK/PST045219/”]U.S. Census Bureau[/hen-ui-link], nearly 30% of Alaskans hold college degrees. As of May 2020, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm#00-0000/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] (BLS) reports a mean annual wage of $61,760 for the state. This figure outpaces [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/OES/Current/oes_nat.htm#00-0000/”]the national mean[/hen-ui-link] of $56,310 and correlates with the high [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/alaska/”]cost of living index in Alaska[/hen-ui-link], which is at 125.8. The national average cost of living index is 100.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ak.htm#eag_ak.f.1/”]unemployment rate in Alaska[/hen-ui-link] is 6.6% as of June 2021, according to the BLS. Those numbers exceed the national unemployment rate for the same period by nearly one percentage point, but they reflect unprecedented conditions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following information explores the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in Alaska. Salary information applies specifically to Alaska, while job growth data pertains to the entire United States.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Careers in Alaska[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$180,100[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/airline-and-commercial-pilots.htm/”]13%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Chief Executives[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$166,360[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Medical and Health Services Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$122,430[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/”]32%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Lawyers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$116,440[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm/”]9%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Law Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Financial Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$111,200[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm/”]17%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$110,170[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Construction Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$103,570[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/construction-managers.htm/”]11%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,500 professionals in Alaska. Salary figures apply specifically to Alaska, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Most Common Careers in Alaska[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$110,170[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$95,270[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm/”]9%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Associate[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$74,720[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$86,700[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm/”]6%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Accountants and Auditors[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$80,520[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$75,790[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$88,420[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm/”]-3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]High School Diploma[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Civil Engineers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ak.htm/”]$100,160[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”associate-community-colleges”]Online Associate Degrees and Community Colleges in Alaska[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Alaska has two community colleges with options for online learning. Each school offers two-year programs in fields that align with some of the state’s top industries. An online [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/associates/”]associate degree[/hen-ui-link] in hospitality or business, for example, could qualify students for entry-level work in the tourism or oil industries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online learning at this level continues to expand amid the pandemic, giving learners the opportunity to graduate, enter the workforce, and contribute to the state’s economy. Individuals interested in further study or advancement can [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]earn transfer credits[/hen-ui-link] to switch to four-year institutions throughout the state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”graduate”]Online Graduate Degrees in Alaska[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For students pursuing graduate-level study, the best online colleges in Alaska offer convenient pathways to further your career, especially in areas like science and engineering. Most schools deliver their coursework through [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]learning methods[/hen-ui-link] that blend self-paced study with structured, interactive experiences with faculty and peers.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These schools feature several options for internships, practicums, and other capstone projects. Some may provide virtual lab experiences that simulate real-world work conditions, while others may work with students to identify work placements in their local areas.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-article-card title=”How to Pick a College” href=”/resources/how-to-pick-a-college/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-article-card title=”What to Look for in an Online College” href=”/resources/what-to-look-for-online-college/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Alaska[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is Online College Cheaper in Alaska?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes — in some cases. As an in-state resident, you may qualify for reduced tuition rates. Some of the best online colleges in Alaska offer flat-rate tuition for virtual programming.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Degree in Alaska?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning an online degree in Alaska takes less time than traditional, in-person instruction in most cases. You can earn an associate degree in about 18 months. Other degrees may take longer, but transfer credits can help you complete your studies faster.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What Is the Most Popular Degree in Alaska?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Business, science and engineering, and agriculture or environmental fields are some of the most common college majors in Alaska.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Blake Huggins” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1618859759/TheBestSchools.org/hero-images/Experts/blake-huggins.jpg” img-alt=”Blake Huggins” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”/about/#writers/”]Blake Huggins[/hen-ui-link] is a Boston-based writer and researcher with roots in north Texas and southern Oklahoma. He holds degrees in religion and philosophy and writes widely on higher education, healthcare, and the humanities broadly conceived. He earned a PhD from Boston University and has taught college courses in philosophy, writing, and composition.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]Featured Image Credit: Patrick J. Endres | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”1183,170,1481″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]