Elementary Education Degree in Anchorage, AK — Salary & ROI 2026
Elementary Education degree analysis for Anchorage, AK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Anchorage
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Elementary Education in Anchorage, AK Overview
Anchorage, Alaska (pop. 291,247) has 18 colleges offering Elementary Education 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. Although national enrollment in Elementary Education has been declining, graduates with skills in Lesson Planning and Classroom Management remain competitive in the job market. The adjusted starting salary in Anchorage is approximately $60,500.
Category
Education
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%
Elementary Education Salary in Anchorage (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anchorage's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Elementary Education salary: $50,000 starting, $55,000 mid-career, $62,000 senior level.Anchorage adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Elementary Education ROI Calculator for Anchorage
Estimate your return on investment for a Elementary Education 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
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Anchorage
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anchorage
$229,148
Lifetime earnings premium ($338,800) minus total education cost ($109,652)
Student Loan Payoff for Elementary Education in Anchorage
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anchorage for Elementary Education
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 Elementary Education in Anchorage
Anchorage offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Elementary Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anchorage Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Elementary Education Job Titles
Other Education Majors in Anchorage
Instructional Design & Technology
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$61K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Special Education
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$61K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education
$61K starting · 6 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Elementary Education 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 Elementary Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anchorage.