What Is It Known For?
Starting as a small private training center in 1985, Alaska Career College has grown into a well-respected educational institution in the state. The school began by preparing students for careers in Alaska’s growing travel sector before broadening its scope.
Now serving approximately 268 students each year, ACC reached a significant milestone in 2011 when it gained official college status, building on its commitment to career-focused education.
Degrees & Certifications
Alaska Career College prepares students for professional careers through focused training and small class sizes. Programs run between 9.5 to 14 months for day classes, while evening schedules range from 10.5 to 21 months depending on the field of study. Students benefit from direct instructor support and practical coursework in their chosen specialties.
Available programs:
- Business: Accounting Technology
- Business: Human Resources
- Business: Technology Specialist
- Medical Assistant Specialist
- Medical Insurance Coding and Billing Specialist
- Phlebotomy Technician & ECG Technician Specialist
- Therapeutic Massage Specialist
Class Schedules
The college fits into busy lives by offering classes throughout the day, including evenings and weekends. Some programs blend online learning with in-person training, and all students cap off their studies with real-world externships in their chosen fields.
Is It Legit?
Yes, Alaska Career College is fully legitimate. It holds accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a recognized agency by the U.S. Department of Education.
Like all educational institutions in Alaska, ACC also maintains proper authorization from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education to operate in the state.
Acceptance Rate
The college welcomes all applicants through its open admissions approach. This means that the acceptance rate is at 100%.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the Average Annual Cost for Largest Program which is Medical/Clinical Assistant is $18,117 per year on average. However, there might be other charges associated with specific courses.
To get a better estimate, the school recommends using the net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting Technology
- Human Resources
Healthcare
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Insurance Coding and Billing
- Phlebotomy Technician
- ECG Technician
- Therapeutic Massage Specialist
Campus Locations
Anchorage 1415 E. Tudor Road Anchorage, AK 99507
Reviews
Based on Google reviews, Alaska Career College has a mixed reputation, with strong praise for certain programs and staff but also significant criticisms regarding its administration, communication, and overall value.
Overall Score: 3.9/5 Stars
Common Praises
Hands-On Learning and Specific Programs: The Therapeutic Massage program is frequently highlighted as a great experience, with reviewers praising the student massages as “WONDERFUL.” Students in programs like Medical Assisting and Business also report receiving valuable, hands-on training that prepared them for their careers.
Supportive Staff and Instructors: Several reviews commend the teachers and staff for being helpful, kind, and genuinely invested in student success. This is particularly noted in older reviews where the environment is described as “student-focused.”
Small Class Sizes: Reviewers appreciate the small class sizes, which they say allow for more personalized, one-on-one help from instructors.
Clean and Professional Facilities: A few reviews mention the campus is clean, well-organized, and has a professional feel.
Common Criticisms
Financial and Administrative Issues: This is a recurring and serious theme. Reviewers criticize the high cost of tuition, with one student suggesting the school is “more about money than education.” There are also complaints about administrative mistakes with paperwork, a lack of transparency about costs, and a general feeling that the school makes “a lot of promises… and then do not deliver what was promised.”
Lack of Job Placement Support: Some graduates express frustration that they were promised help with job placement but received little to no assistance after graduation.
Questionable Educational Quality: While some reviews are positive, others express concerns about the curriculum. A former student in the massage program noted that the quality of education “rests mainly on the experience and qualifications of your instructors,” as the school struggles to retain high-quality staff. Other complaints include “out of date exams full of mistakes” and a program that feels rushed.
Discrimination Allegations: There are very serious, though infrequent, allegations of discrimination against Alaskan Natives. These detailed reviews suggest a deeply negative experience for some students.
Momentum
The reviews show a mixed and contradictory momentum. While there are a few recent positive reviews praising specific staff and the massage program, recent negative reviews are particularly harsh and detailed, focusing on the high cost and administrative failures. The school’s administration appears to engage with reviews, particularly on some platforms, by responding to both positive and negative comments. However, the consistent and serious nature of the negative feedback, especially from the past several years, indicates ongoing challenges for the institution.