UAF elementary education program ranked seventh in nation

April 25, 2017

University Relations

The elementary education degree program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks ranks seventh among the nation's top 35, according to a national college review service.

College Choice said UAF's education and training is honed to help local communities. For example, future teachers take classes in the Native cultures of Alaska to help them meet standards for preparing culturally responsive teachers.

The price of the education is also a prominent feature in UAF's ranking. Alaska residents can expect to pay about $3,588 per semester in tuition. Nonresidents pay more, but students who live in states covered by the Western Undergraduate Exchange still get an almost unprecedented bargain.

"With a very respectable expected early career salary and extremely low tuition, UAF is a fantastic prospect for future educators,” said Christian Amondson, managing editor of College Choice.

College Choice developed the 2017 ranking for the 35 Best Elementary Education Degrees by looking at a combination of institutional academic reputation, specific program quality and return on investment. Data for the ranking comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. News & World Report, individual college websites and the National Council for Teacher Quality's 2016 ranking of 875 traditional undergraduate elementary programs.