Iḷisaġvik College

Utqiaġvik, Alaska, United States · Est. 1996 · Community College

Alaska's only tribal college, serving the Arctic's northernmost accredited community in Utqiaġvik.

  • Founded 1996 as a public tribal land-grant community college
  • Operated by North Slope Borough; serves Iñupiat and Alaska Native populations
  • Northernmost accredited community college in the United States
  • 988 students enrolled (2024–25); 63% Alaska Native/American Indian
  • Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program first fully accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation (2020)
  • 7:1 faculty-to-student ratio; offers bachelor's, associate's, and certificate programs

Academics

Iḷisaġvik College offers a bachelor's degree in business administration, multiple associate's degrees (including a new Associate of Science in General Science), one-year certificates, and adult education courses for GED preparation. All academic programs integrate Iñupiaq Studies content, reflecting local traditions, values, and culture while preparing students for career and employment opportunities. The college's flagship Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program, established in 2004, became the first in the nation to achieve full accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation in 2020, expanding oral healthcare services to 40,000 people across rural Alaska by 2017.

Campus & Student Life

Located at the former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL) complex in Utqiaġvik, the college operates a rural Arctic campus with the Tuzzy Consortium Library in the Browerville section of town. Student services include housing and residence life, campus dining (Niġġivik Cafeteria), tutoring, van services, a recreation center, wellness accommodations, loaner laptop programs, and internship opportunities. The college emphasizes a family atmosphere and small class sizes, with a 7:1 faculty-to-student ratio.

Admissions

Iḷisaġvik College accepts applications online, via fillable PDF, or in printable form. Tuition waivers are available to all North Slope Borough residents, Alaska Natives, American Indians, NSB elders, and NSBSD teachers and paraprofessionals. The college offers dual credit programs for high school students and distance learning options. Applicants must submit transcripts from previous institutions to the Registrar's Office.

Institutional Mission

Iḷisaġvik College is dedicated to providing quality post-secondary academic, career, and technical education in an environment that perpetuates and strengthens Iñupiat culture, language, values, and traditions. The college aims to develop a well-educated and trained workforce meeting the human resource needs of North Slope employers and the state of Alaska, while helping build strong communities through education and training.

Founded
1996
Type
Community College
Courses
8
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationNorth Slope Borough; tribal (Iñupiat); member of American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and University of the Arctic (UArctic)
Websitehttp://ilisagvik.edu
HousingAvailable
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
8
Avg career outcomes
$39.5K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
Yes
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources