Best Bachelor's in Elementary Education Programs in Alaska
All 3 Elementary Education bachelor's-level programs in Alaska, ranked overall on graduation rate, affordability, and more, from the IPEDS database.
A bachelor's in elementary education is the standard credential behind an Alaska teaching license, and Alaska has 3 accredited elementary education bachelor's programs to compare. This ranking scores every one on the outcomes that actually affect your return: graduation rate, in-state affordability, and selectivity, all pulled from the public federal IPEDS database. University of Alaska Fairbanks ranks first with a score of 50, on a 38 percent graduation rate.
Elementary school teachers in Alaska earn a median of $79,260 a year according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, against a national median of $63,970. Each section below covers a specific decision point, cost and real ROI, Alaska licensure, accreditation, online and accelerated formats, and career outlook, so you can compare elementary education programs in Alaska on the factors that change your outcome rather than on marketing.
- 1
University of Alaska Fairbanks
50score- 38%Grad rate
- $8,072/yrIn-state tuition
- $23,881/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 5,827Undergrads
- 11Grads/yr
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks offers a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education that leads to teacher certification for kindergarten through grade eight. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and combines fieldwork in every class with a year-long capstone school internship guided by a mentor teacher. Students in Fairbanks, AK can complete coursework on the main campus, in Anchorage, or by distance delivery to any part of the state, including the internship. This flexible format lets future teachers gain classroom experience across different schools and grade levels while working toward licensure. A bachelor's-level path in elementary education, it builds toward a career among elementary school teachers in Alaska.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageThe ranking rewards programs that graduate their students, stay at least somewhat selective, and keep tuition reasonable, so here is how this one measures up. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Alaska programs at 38%, solid without being a standout. Tuition is middle of the road for Alaska programs at $8,072 in state, so cost neither helps nor hurts its standing. Strong on the measures that matter most, it earns a place near the top.
- 2
Alaska Bible College
40score- 38%Grad rate
- $9,000/yrTuition (in or out of state)
- 38Undergrads
- 1Grads/yr
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- On-campus
About the programAlaska Bible College's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach at the K-5 grade band on its Palmer, Alaska campus. The 120-credit program integrates 27 credits of Biblical Studies and 9 credits of Christian Ministry alongside education coursework. Classroom observations are required, and an Educator Preparation Program Fee of $100 per semester covers national teaching assessments and observations. Program design is assessed for alignment against CAEP, the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, and Alaska Department of Education and Early Development standards. Eligible students may receive the Future Educator of Alaska Scholarship. Earning a bachelor's degree in elementary education is a common route toward becoming one of Alaska's elementary school teachers.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageIts place on the list comes down to outcomes, selectivity, and price, weighted in that order. On completion, the heaviest factor, it lands mid-pack among Alaska programs at 38%, solid without being a standout. The one drag is price, $9,000 in state, above the Alaska median, so it earns its rank on outcomes rather than affordability. Together, that is one of the strongest profiles on the page.
- 3
University of Alaska Southeast
35score- 28%Grad rate
- $7,250/yrIn-state tuition
- $23,154/yrOut-of-state tuition
- 63%Admit rate
- 1,768Undergrads
- 18Grads/yr
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- CAEP-accredited
- Hybrid
About the programThe University of Alaska Southeast built its Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education to reach students in every corner of the state, preparing candidates for initial Alaska certification in grades K-8. Based in Juneau, the program lets students complete general education coursework on campus or by distance while delivering major coursework entirely through e-learning, so learners anywhere in Alaska can study without leaving their communities. That flexibility does not replace classroom practice: candidates complete a nine-month student teaching placement in an Alaskan public school district during the senior year. The degree comes through a School of Education accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This structure fits self-directed learners across urban and rural Alaska who are seeking a K-8 licensure pathway close to home. It carries the lowest in-state tuition among Alaska's 3 ranked bachelor's-level programs, at $7,250. This bachelor's-level elementary education program prepares graduates for work as elementary school teachers in Alaska.
Why it ranks hereProgram pageWe rank on the things that actually shape a teaching degree: whether students finish, how hard it is to get in, and the price of admission. The sticking point is completion, the factor we weigh most heavily: at 28% the graduation rate trails the Alaska median, which caps how high it can climb. A 63% admission rate makes it moderately selective, neither a gatekeeper nor open enrollment. Cost only helps its case: at $7,250 in state, tuition runs below the Alaska median, so students are not paying a premium for those results. That combination is what puts it in the top handful here.
Key facts about a bachelor's in Elementary Education in Alaska
- Alaska has 3 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from federal IPEDS data.
- University of Alaska Fairbanks ranks first among elementary education bachelor's programs in Alaska with a score of 50, on a 38 percent graduation rate.
- University of Alaska Southeast is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska, at $7,250 a year in-state tuition.
- Elementary school teachers in Alaska earn a median of $79,260 a year (BLS), ranking Alaska 8 of 51 states and territories for the occupation.
- 1 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Alaska offer an online or hybrid option.
- Alaska requires the Praxis licensure exam, administered through Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Teacher Certification, to earn a teaching license.
What a bachelor's in elementary education costs in Alaska (2026)
Published in-state tuition for a bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska runs from $7,250 to $9,000 a year across the 3 programs we rank, with a median of $8,072. The most affordable is University of Alaska Southeast at $7,250 a year. These are published sticker rates from IPEDS; most future teachers bring the net figure down with the Pell Grant, the federal TEACH Grant, and state teacher-preparation aid, so weigh net price, not the sticker.
Cost only means something next to completion. The elementary education programs ranked here average a 35 percent graduation rate, and a lower-priced program where fewer students finish is not necessarily the cheaper path to a degree. Compare tuition and graduation rate together above.
Sources: IPEDS tuition data
What elementary school teachers earn in Alaska
Elementary school teachers in Alaska earn a median of $79,260 a year, per BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), compared with a national median of $63,970. That ranks Alaska 8 of 51 states and territories for elementary school teachers pay. Nationally, pay for this occupation spans roughly $47,960 at the 10th percentile to $104,340 at the 90th, with a master's degree, years in the classroom, and the local district salary schedule driving the climb.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects 2 percent decline in elementary school teachers employment nationally from 2024 to 2034, with about 103,800 openings a year as teachers retire or change careers. A bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska is the entry point to that market, not the ceiling.
How to get an Alaska teaching license
To teach in Alaska you need a bachelor's in elementary education (or a bachelor's plus an approved preparation program), a supervised student-teaching placement, and an Alaska teaching license issued by Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Teacher Certification. Alaska calls the initial credential the Initial Teacher Certificate, and earning it means passing Praxis (The Praxis Series) plus a background check.
The basic-competency requirement can be met by Praxis Core, SAT, ACT, or other approved exams, while content areas use Praxis Subject Assessments. Confirm your program is currently state-approved before you enroll.
Sources: Alaska educator certification, Praxis exam
Choosing an accredited elementary education program in Alaska
Pick a bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska that is regionally accredited and whose educator-preparation program is approved by the Alaska Department of Education, ideally with CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation. State approval is what lets the degree count toward an Alaska teaching license, and CAEP is the national standard for program quality, so confirm both before enrolling in any elementary education program in Alaska.
Sources: CAEP accreditation
Online and hybrid elementary education programs in Alaska
1 of the bachelor's in elementary education programs in Alaska offer an online or hybrid option. Online teacher-preparation still requires in-person student teaching, so these formats suit working adults and career changers who can complete supervised classroom hours locally while taking coursework online. An online bachelor's in elementary education from a state-approved, CAEP-accredited program leads to the same Alaska teaching license as an on-campus degree; the diploma does not distinguish the format.
Frequently asked questions about a bachelor's in Elementary Education in Alaska
How many bachelor's in elementary education programs are in Alaska?
There are 3 accredited bachelor's in elementary education programs in Alaska in our 2026 ranking, all drawn from the federal IPEDS database.
What is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska?
University of Alaska Southeast is the most affordable bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska, at $7,250 a year in in-state tuition.
How much do elementary school teachers make in Alaska?
Elementary school teachers in Alaska earn a median of $79,260 a year, according to <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics</a>, versus $63,970 nationally.
What exam do you need to teach in Alaska?
Alaska requires the Praxis (The Praxis Series) licensure exam, administered for Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, Teacher Certification. See the <a href="https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/alaska-overview.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">official exam page</a> for current test requirements.
Is a bachelor's in elementary education worth it in Alaska?
For most future teachers, yes. A bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska is the standard credential for an Alaska teaching license, and it leads to a median elementary school teachers salary of $79,260 a year in Alaska. Compare graduation rate and net price above to find the best value in 2026.
These are the best bachelor's in elementary education programs in Alaska for 2026, ranked on the outcomes that matter. Compare all 3 bachelor's in elementary education in Alaska above by graduation rate, tuition, and selectivity, then open each program page to take the next step toward teaching in an elementary school classroom in Alaska.