Best Electrical Engineering Degree Programs in Alaska in 2026
Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage both put electrical power, communications and control into their undergraduate curricula. The differences become clearer in the laboratories, advanced choices and design projects: Fairbanks requires embedded systems and digital signal processing, while Anchorage provides a defined advanced-elective block alongside instrumentation and two electromagnetics courses. Our 2026 ranking reviews these two campus electrical engineering degrees through their actual requirements.
Prospective students should also distinguish the university’s campuses and tuition categories. Fairbanks undergraduate tuition differs from its community-and-technical-college rate. Anchorage charges different lower- and upper-division base rates. Engineering surcharges and mandatory fees apply beyond those headline amounts, making a course-level budget particularly useful for a transfer student or someone planning a reduced load.
Electrical Engineering bachelor’s rankings by state+
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How we ranked electrical engineering bachelor’s programs in Alaska
This selected Alaska ranking covers the BS in Electrical Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Anchorage. It reviews the Fairbanks and Anchorage campus routes, with the named electrical degree distinguished from each institution’s computer engineering, technology and graduate qualifications.
Fairbanks leads for its required range of power, embedded systems, signal processing and communications, together with a documented two-course capstone and specialized undergraduate research opportunities. Anchorage follows for its electrical foundation, advanced-elective choices and prototype-based capstone. The editorial order reflects those reviewed plans; location and a preferred advanced course may reasonably change an individual student’s choice.
The 2026–27 Fairbanks undergraduate base rate is $310 per credit for Alaska residents or $934 for nonresidents. College of Engineering and Mines students have an additional 20% tuition surcharge. The schedule also lists $56 per credit in consolidated fees, $25 per credit in infrastructure fees, a bookstore bundle with an opt-out option and applicable course charges. A $225 matriculation fee and living expenses are separate.
Alaska Fairbanks requires a broad electrical foundation that includes power systems and machines, embedded systems, digital signal processing, communication networks and control. Its laboratory and design requirements reach from the introductory Makerspace Alaska course to a high-frequency laboratory and two-course ECE capstone. Approved electives can add subjects such as power protection, power electronics or aerospace communication. The department also describes undergraduate opportunities related to microgrids, unmanned systems and space engineering. This review distinguishes the 126-credit minimum from the catalog’s 126–133 range and its 129-credit sample roadmap, so students can establish the total for their actual choices.
Where it stands out
Alaska Fairbanks suits students who want required exposure to power, communications and embedded systems, with opportunities to investigate remote-energy or space-related applications. Those interests are useful starting points for asking which undergraduate courses and supervised projects use the department’s specialized facilities.
What to weigh
The course and elective choices affect the actual credit total, and mathematics preparation shapes the starting sequence. Applicants below bachelor’s admission requirements follow a different initial route. Budget the engineering surcharge and per-credit student fees alongside Fairbanks tuition; the community-and-technical-college rate is a separate category.
Attendance:The catalog gives a 126-credit minimum and a 126–133-credit requirement range; the sample roadmap totals 129. The review addresses the Fairbanks campus degree.
Required electrical study includes circuits, digital systems, power systems/machines, electronic devices, electromagnetics, signal analysis, embedded systems, communication networks and automatic control.
Three approved upper-division electrical electives allow further study; listed choices include power protection/control, power electronics, aerospace communication and space-mission design.
The program requires completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering examination as well as its coursework.
Admission & progression
First-year bachelor’s admission requires the specified high-school preparation and a 2.5 cumulative GPA; Engineering and Mines expects the published mathematics/science preparation.
Beginning spring 2026, applicants not meeting bachelor’s admission conditions enter the Associate of Arts route and can reapply after at least 24 credits and two semesters in good standing.
Electrical degree coursework requires at least C−, and faculty approval is required for the elective plan.
Design & practical experience
Electrical and Computer Engineering Design I and II form the required capstone sequence.
The degree includes a high-frequency laboratory, embedded-systems design and a Makerspace Alaska introductory laboratory.
The department identifies undergraduate research/design opportunities in microgrids, wireless sensors, unmanned systems and space-related engineering; participation depends on the specific opportunity.
$251 per credit, resident lower-division base tuition
Cost basis & conditions +
UAA’s 2026–27 base undergraduate tuition is $251 per credit for resident lower-division courses or $302 for resident upper-division courses; nonresident amounts are $875 and $926 respectively. Engineering and computer-science courses add a surcharge equal to 20% of the base resident tuition for the course level. Mandatory and course fees and living expenses are additional. WUE and other residency provisions have separate eligibility.
Alaska Anchorage places power systems, instrumentation, communications and automatic control in the electrical core, supported by circuits, devices and electromagnetic laboratory work. Its 130-credit minimum plan then provides 12 advanced engineering elective credits, with options ranging from smart grids and green electrical energy to antennas and embedded systems. The culminating Design of Electrical Engineering Systems course asks small teams to investigate alternatives, construct a prototype and evaluate how it performs. That combination gives applicants a concrete way to explore power, sensing or communication interests while retaining the broader electrical and engineering-science foundation.
Where it stands out
Alaska Anchorage is worth considering if you want a required introduction to power and instrumentation while keeping advanced electrical choices available later. The program’s prototype-based capstone is a useful focus for a campus visit or a discussion about the kinds of systems student teams build.
What to weigh
The degree requires at least 130 credits and depends on mathematical and scientific preparation; a four-year description is not a guarantee for every starting point. All specified major courses require C or better. The engineering surcharge applies to base resident tuition for engineering courses even when a student has a different residency billing category.
The 130-credit minimum plan requires power systems, instrumentation/measurement, electromagnetics, electronic devices, circuit theory, signal analysis, communications and automatic control.
Computer organization and hardware concepts complement the electrical requirements, with mathematics, statics, dynamics and engineering data analysis.
Twelve advanced engineering elective credits can include smart grids, green electrical energy, power electronics, antennas, telecommunications, embedded systems or approved internship work.
Admission & progression
The university’s bachelor’s admission guidance ordinarily requires a high-school diploma or GED and a 2.5 high-school GPA, with specified exceptions reviewed by the institution.
The EE catalog recommends preparation in algebra, trigonometry, physics, chemistry and English; inadequate preparation can increase required semesters.
Students must meet a faculty advisor each semester and earn at least C in the specified major requirements.
Design & practical experience
Design of Electrical Engineering Systems asks small teams to compare solutions, build a prototype and analyze its performance.
Required laboratory courses accompany electrical fundamentals, computer hardware, electronic devices, circuit theory and electromagnetics.
What matters in electrical engineering bachelor’s programs in Alaska
Required electrical breadth
Power, communications, controls and hardware subjects are evaluated as actual required or elective coursework.
Preparation for a working prototype
Named laboratory courses and capstone expectations show how students learn to test electrical systems.
A realistic completion plan
Mathematics preparation, elective credits, admission route and the engineering surcharge affect both time and cost.
Use Alaska electrical engineering courses to choose an application
Fairbanks’ electrical catalog requires Electric Power Systems and Machines, Embedded Systems Design, Digital Signal Processing, Communication Systems and Networks, and Automatic Control. Its three approved upper-division EE electives can extend into power protection, power electronics or aerospace communications. Those subjects provide a concrete basis for asking how an application such as a remote energy system or an autonomous device would fit the degree.
Anchorage’s current BS requirements include Introduction to Power Systems, Instrumentation and Measurement, communication systems and automatic control. Twelve advanced engineering elective credits can add smart grids, green electrical energy, antennas or embedded systems. Students should examine the required mathematics, science and engineering-science courses as well as those advanced choices; all contribute to the minimum 130-credit plan.
Separate required design from optional research opportunities
Fairbanks requires Electrical and Computer Engineering Design I and II, along with a high-frequency laboratory and earlier practical study. Its department overview identifies undergraduate opportunities in microgrids, wireless sensors, unmanned systems and space-related engineering. An opportunity is not an automatic assignment: ask which projects currently accept undergraduates and what preparation or application process they require.
Anchorage’s capstone description asks small teams to develop alternative solutions, build a prototype and analyze its performance. That is a useful framework for evaluating sample projects on a visit. Ask which measurements establish success, how the team divides responsibility, and whether the project topic grows out of an advanced course you want to take.
Match the starting course and tuition category to your situation
Anchorage recommends preparation in algebra, trigonometry, physics, chemistry and English and requires advising each semester. Fairbanks also specifies engineering mathematics/science preparation. Its admission policy changed in spring 2026: applicants below bachelor’s admission requirements begin in an Associate of Arts route and can seek bachelor’s admission after the required credits and semesters in good standing. That starting route should be reflected in the completion schedule.
Anchorage’s 2026–27 catalog rates add an engineering surcharge calculated from the base resident tuition for the course level. Fairbanks’ cost page separately identifies its undergraduate rate, engineering surcharge and per-credit consolidated/infrastructure fees. The Fairbanks electrical catalog also gives a credit range rather than one total for every elective combination. Compare each remaining semester through our engineering degree cost guide, including living costs and individually awarded aid.
Questions, answered
What else should you know?
Which Alaska electrical engineering degree programs are reviewed?+
This ranking reviews the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Anchorage. Both named electrical BS programs are accredited by ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission. The reviews address their respective campus routes and degree requirements.
Why does Fairbanks show a credit range?+
The catalog gives a 126-credit minimum, a 126–133-credit requirements range and a sample roadmap totaling 129. Course and elective choices affect the individual total. Faculty advising should establish the plan that applies to your preparation and transferred coursework.
What is Anchorage’s electrical capstone?+
Design of Electrical Engineering Systems is a required capstone in which small teams investigate alternative solutions, construct a prototype and evaluate its performance. It follows the degree’s electrical, mathematics, science and engineering preparation.
Are the two universities’ headline tuition rates complete engineering prices?+
No. Both identify engineering surcharges in addition to base tuition, and mandatory or course fees also apply. Anchorage separates lower- and upper-division rates; Fairbanks distinguishes its campus undergraduate rate from community-and-technical-college pricing.
Keep researching
Choosing a electrical engineering degree
Learn what an electrical engineering degree covers, including circuits, signals, lab work and design, plus admissions, transfer and online study.
