Outer Coast graduated its first undergraduate class in May 2026. We offer an immersive two-year undergraduate course of study for up to 40 students per year.
The undergraduate program offers high school graduates the chance to begin their college journey in an engaged, rigorous, and close-knit community of diverse peers. While in Sitka, students earn two years of college credit through a collaboration with the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), before going on to earn their bachelor’s degrees at other four-year institutions. Undergraduates enroll in coursework that bridges Indigenous and European ways of knowing, led by faculty members passionate about place-based pedagogy. Students build long-term service partnerships with local organizations and mentors, and take part in self-governance through Student Body meetings, committees, and collaborations with staffulty and community members. Students live, learn, and work together on the historic Sheldon Jackson / Sitka Fine Arts Campus.
The application to join the 2027-29 undergraduate cohort will open in August 2026.
Cost of Attendance
As with all Outer Coast programs, admissions for the 2027-29 Outer Coast undergraduate cohort are need blind, and the program will offer a means-based cost of attendance model. Outer Coast will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, ensuring that cost will not be a barrier to attendance. See the Cost and Affordability page for more details.
Eligibility
High school seniors and graduates / GED holders who have not yet completed a postsecondary degree are eligible for the Outer Coast undergraduate program. If you are interested in applying but will not have graduated high school by August 2027 or have other questions about eligibility, please reach out to Reyn at reyn@outercoast.org. We are currently not able to accept international applications, sponsor visas, or enroll international students at the undergraduate program.
Credits and Degree
While in Sitka, students earn a two-year transcript and up to 59 transferable credits from the University of Alaska Southeast across a wide range of subject areas and distribution requirements. After their two years, graduates are positioned to transfer to four-year institutions as incoming third-year students to finish out their undergraduate degrees. We graduated our first class in May 2026. Our first cohort’s transfer outcomes affirm that institutions across the United States and abroad recognize the value of Outer Coast’s place-based educational model built on rigorous academic inquiry, community-centered service, and student self-governance. Members of Outer Coast’s inaugural undergraduate class gained admission as third-year students to the following institutions:
- Alaska Pacific University*
- Bard College*
- Bard College Berlin*
- Bennington College
- Berea College
- Carleton College*
- College of the Atlantic*
- Deep Springs College*
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of Alaska Southeast*
- University of Arizona
- University of British Columbia
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
- University of Oregon
- University of the South (Sewanee)*
- Swarthmore College
- Washington University in St. Louis*
- Whitman College
*Graduated students have matriculated at these institutions.
Academic Calendar
Students who enroll in August 2026 will complete the two-year program in May 2028.
The 2026-2027 academic year will have three terms, with breaks in between each term:
Fishing Term (August – September 2026)
Student Arrival & Move-In: Wed. Aug 5
Student Orientation: Thu. Aug 6 – Sat. Aug 8
Classes Begin: Mon. Aug 10
Last Day of Classes: Fri. Sep 11
Fall Term (September – December 2026)
Fall Term Classes Begin: Wed. Sep 16
Student Departure: Sat. Dec 19
Spring Term (January – May 2027)
Student Arrival: Sun. Jan 17
Student Departure: Mon. May 10
Apply
The application to join the 2027-29 undergraduate cohort will open in August 2026.
