Architecture Degree in Anchorage, AK — Salary & ROI 2026
Architecture degree analysis for Anchorage, AK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.9 yrs
in Anchorage
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Architecture in Anchorage, AK Overview
Anchorage, Alaska (pop. 291,247) has 18 colleges offering Architecture 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. Architecture enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in AutoCAD and Revit. The adjusted starting salary in Anchorage is approximately $70,180.
Category
Arts & Design
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%
Architecture Salary in Anchorage (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anchorage's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Architecture salary: $58,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Anchorage adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Architecture ROI Calculator for Anchorage
Estimate your return on investment for a Architecture 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
$27,830
vs HS diploma in Anchorage
ROI Payback Period
3.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anchorage
$471,148
Lifetime earnings premium ($580,800) minus total education cost ($109,652)
Student Loan Payoff for Architecture in Anchorage
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anchorage for Architecture
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 Architecture in Anchorage
Anchorage offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Architecture graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anchorage Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Architecture Job Titles
Other Arts & Design Majors in Anchorage
UX Design
$61K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Graphic Design
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Interior Design
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$61K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$61K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$61K starting · 9 yr ROI
Architecture 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 Architecture ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anchorage.