Alaska (AK)

Known as "The Last Frontier," Alaska is a land of breathtaking wilderness, diverse wildlife, and rich indigenous culture. With its towering mountains, massive glaciers, and endless outdoor adventures, the state offers a unique experience for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike.

• Population: ~730,000
• Weather: Cold winters (-20 to 30°F); cool summers (50-70°F).
• Famous Sites: Denali National Park, Glacier Bay, Northern Lights, Kenai Fjords, Mendenhall Glacier.
• Top Activities: Wildlife viewing, glacier tours, fishing, hiking, Northern Lights chasing, dog sledding.

Alaska's economy relies on industries like healthcare, oil and gas, fishing, and tourism, creating strong job opportunities. Below are the top 5 in-demand jobs in the state based on salary and job availability. Click on the job titles to view more details from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Alaska's largest cities play key roles in education, commerce, and culture. These cities have various colleges and universities that attract students from across the state and beyond. Here is a look at the ten largest cities in Alaska, showing their population and major colleges and universities with estimated student enrollments.

City Population (Approx.) Student Enrollment (Approx.) Anchorage 291,000 17,000 Fairbanks 32,000 7,000 Juneau 32,000 2,000 Wasilla 11,000 1,500 Sitka 8,400 800 Ketchikan 8,200 600 Kenai 7,900 2,500 Kodiak 5,800 700 Bethel 6,500 500 Palmer 6,200 1,500

Alaska is home to some excellent public and private universities, offering programs in fields such as engineering, marine science, healthcare, and business.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Alaska

• University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) – The state's flagship university, known for its strong engineering, environmental science, and Arctic research programs.
• University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) – The largest university in Alaska, offering strong programs in nursing, business, and aviation.
• University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) – Located in Juneau, it is known for its marine biology, environmental science, and education programs.
• Alaska Pacific University (APU) – Public-Private Partnership – A small university offering specialized programs in sustainability, outdoor studies, and business.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Alaska

• Alaska Pacific University (APU) – A private university with a strong focus on environmental studies, outdoor leadership, and psychology.

Alaska offers academic institutions that cater to a range of interests, with a unique emphasis on environmental science, Arctic research, and sustainability.

Alaska has several high-performing public and private high schools that offer strong academics, extracurricular activities, and college preparation programs. These schools help students succeed in higher education and future careers.

Top Public High Schools in Alaska

• Mat-Su Career & Technical High School, Wasilla – Provides hands-on learning in technical and career-oriented fields, preparing students for both college and the workforce.
• West Anchorage High School, Anchorage – Known for its International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which challenges students with a rigorous curriculum.
• South Anchorage High School, Anchorage – Offers strong Advanced Placement (AP) courses and a variety of extracurricular activities.
• Colony High School, Palmer – Focuses on academic excellence, technology integration, and student leadership programs.
• Service High School, Anchorage – Features an outstanding AP program and diverse opportunities in sports and fine arts.

Top Private High Schools in Alaska

• Pacific Northern Academy, Anchorage – An elite private school with small class sizes and a strong focus on critical thinking and leadership.
• Holy Rosary Academy, Anchorage – Offers a classical education with a strong emphasis on literature, history, and philosophy.
• Anchorage Christian Schools, Anchorage – Combines academic excellence with Christian values, preparing students for both college and spiritual growth.
• Grace Christian School, Anchorage – Provides a faith-based college preparatory education with strong academics and extracurricular options.
• Lumen Christi High School, Anchorage – A Catholic school that emphasizes academic achievement, character development, and leadership.

Alaska does not have any major league professional sports teams (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL). However, the state has a deep sports culture, with a strong emphasis on hockey, baseball, and winter sports. Many Alaskans passionately support teams from Seattle and other regions, but there are also local teams that provide exciting action for sports fans.

While Alaska lacks major league teams, it is home to minor league and semi-professional teams in several sports:

Minor League & Semi-Pro Teams in Alaska

Hockey 🏒

• Anchorage Wolverines (NAHL – North American Hockey League) – A junior hockey team that competes in one of the top leagues for young players developing into professionals.
• Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL – North American Hockey League) – A well-established junior hockey team with a strong following and successful track record.
• Kenai River Brown Bears (NAHL – North American Hockey League) – Based in Soldotna, this team develops young talent while entertaining the local community.

Baseball ⚾

• Anchorage Glacier Pilots (Alaska Baseball League) – A summer collegiate team known for producing MLB talent.
• Mat-Su Miners (Alaska Baseball League) – Located in Palmer, this team competes in one of the most competitive summer leagues.
• Fairbanks Goldpanners (Alaska Baseball League) – Famous for hosting the Midnight Sun Game, played during the summer solstice.

Basketball 🏀

• Alaska Goldpanners (Local and exhibition team) – Known for fielding competitive teams in regional basketball events.

Although Alaska may not have major league teams, its sports scene is rich with talent and tradition. Hockey and baseball are especially popular, giving fans competitive and exciting games to enjoy throughout the year.

1. America’s Largest State 🏔️ – Alaska is the biggest state in the U.S., covering over 663,000 square miles. That’s more than twice the size of Texas!
2. Home of the Northern Lights 🌌 – Alaska is one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis, especially in Fairbanks, where the lights dance across the sky for more than 200 nights a year.
3. More Coastline Than Any Other State 🌊 – Alaska’s coastline stretches over 6,600 miles, longer than all the other U.S. states combined.
4. Land of Volcanoes 🌋 – Alaska has over 130 volcanoes, and more than 50 of them are considered active.
5. No Sales Tax in Most Areas 💰 – Many parts of Alaska do not have a state sales tax, making shopping a bit cheaper compared to other states.
6. Midnight Sun and Polar Nights ☀️🌑 – Some parts of Alaska, like Barrow (now called Utqiaġvik), experience 24 hours of daylight in summer and 24 hours of darkness in winter.
7. The Iditarod’s Epic Race 🐕 – Every year, Alaska hosts the Iditarod, a 1,000-mile sled dog race that honors the historic 1925 serum run to Nome.
8. Mount Denali, North America’s Tallest Peak 🏔️ – Standing at 20,310 feet, Denali is the highest mountain in North America.
9. More Moose Than People 🦌 – Some parts of Alaska have more moose than humans, and the whole state has a population of under a million.
10. The Land of Glaciers ❄️ – Alaska is home to more than 100,000 glaciers, covering about 5% of the state. The largest, the Bering Glacier, is over 120 miles long!