University of Alaska Anchorage

Nestled among an extensive green belt on a 362-acre urban campus close to scenic Goose Lake Park in downtown of the state's largest city, the University of Alaska Anchorage is a major comprehensive public research institution. With more than 17,500 undergraduate and graduate students, UAA currently has the highest enrollment within the University of Alaska System and stands as the largest higher learning institution in Alaska. For administrative purposes, UAA also includes Matanuska-Susitna College, Kenai Peninsula College, Kodiak College, and Prince William Sound Community College.

Tracing its roots back to five years before Alaska became the 49th U.S. state, the school was initially founded as the Anchorage Community College (ACC) in 1954 with an inaugural class of just 414 students at Elmendorf Air Force Base. In the late 1960s, strong interest in upper-division baccalaureate and professional degree programs lead to the birth of the University of Alaska's Anchorage Senior College (ASC). By 1977, the college was finally renamed as the University of Alaska Anchorage and became the first choice university for many Alaskans.

According to the U.S. News and World Report, UAA is currently ranked as the 71st best college and 27th top public school in the West. Fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the University of Alaska Anchorage offers more than 200 associates, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs at campuses in Anchorage and extension centers throughout south-central Alaska. As part of the Center of Excellence for General Aviation (CGAR), UAA is perhaps best known for its exemplary degree programs for aviation maintenance, air traffic control, aviation administration, and professional piloting.

In order to enrich the campus community by developing interactive networks, building leadership skills, and strengthening interpersonal connections, UAA has over 80 different registered student organizations, including the student-run award-winning newspaper known as the Northern Light. For those who are athletically inclined, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves also have 11 highly visible athletic teams in ice hockey, basketball, skiing, cross country, gymnastics, track and field, and volleyball for intercollegiate competition in the NCAA Division II Great Northwest Athletic Conference.