Architectural Engineering Degree in Anchorage, AK — Salary & ROI 2026
Architectural Engineering degree analysis for Anchorage, AK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$94K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$133K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.1 yrs
in Anchorage
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Architectural Engineering in Anchorage, AK Overview
Anchorage, Alaska (pop. 291,247) has 18 colleges offering Architectural Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,400/month. Architectural Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Structural Systems and Building Physics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Anchorage is approximately $94,380.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$8,100/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$19,313/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,634/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
58%
Architectural Engineering Salary in Anchorage (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anchorage's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architectural Engineering salary: $78,000 starting, $110,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Anchorage adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Architectural Engineering ROI Calculator for Anchorage
Estimate your return on investment for a Architectural Engineering degree using local Anchorage tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,100 | Private avg: $24,000
Anchorage avg aid: $15,634/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,652
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$52,030
vs HS diploma in Anchorage
ROI Payback Period
2.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anchorage
$1,342,348
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,452,000) minus total education cost ($109,652)
Student Loan Payoff for Architectural Engineering in Anchorage
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anchorage for Architectural Engineering
University of Alaska Anchorage
public
$8,100/yr
$32,400 total
Alaska Pacific University
private
$24,000/yr
$96,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
UAA Community Campus
$4,300/yr
Top Employers for Architectural Engineering in Anchorage
Anchorage offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Architectural Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anchorage Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Architectural Engineering Job Titles
Other Engineering Majors in Anchorage
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Architectural Engineering Degree in Anchorage — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Architectural Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anchorage.