With our second undergraduate cohort on campus, Outer Coast is turning our vision of a two-year liberal arts college into a reality.
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). Launched in August 2024, 32 students are currently in Sitka completing a two-year course of study.
Our second cohort arrived in August 2025, forming an integrated Student Body of first- and second-year students. Undergraduates enroll in coursework that interweaves Indigenous and European ways of knowing, led by dynamic faculty members. They build long-term service partnerships with local organizations and mentors, and they 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.
Cost of Attendance
As with all Outer Coast programs, admissions for the 2026-28 Outer Coast undergraduate cohort will be 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 2026 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
Student earn up to 60 college credits from University of Alaska Southeast over their two years at Outer Coast and are positioned to transfer to four-year institutions to complete undergraduate degrees.
Academic Calendar
Students who enroll in August 2026 will complete the two-year program in May 2028.
The 2025-2026 academic year will have three terms, with breaks in between each term:
| Fishing Term (August – September 2025) | Student Arrival & Move-In…………………………………… Wed. Aug 6 Parent Orientation…………………………………………………………Thu. Aug 7 Student Orientation…………………………………….Thu. Aug 7 – Fri. Aug 8 Parent Departure……………………………………………………………Fri. Aug 8 Fishing Term Classes Begin……………………..………….Mon. Aug 11 Labor Day [no classes]…………………………………………………Mon. Sep 1 Last day of classes …………………………………………………….. Fri. Sep 12 Intersession [no classes]…………………….. Mon. Sep 15 – Tue. Sep 16 |
| Fall Term (September – December 2025) | Fall Term Classes Begin..…………………………….………Wed. Sep 17 Indigenous Peoples’ Day Service [no classes]…………….Mon. Oct 13 Fall Break [no classes]………………………….Mon. Oct 20 – Sun. Oct 26 Veterans Day [no classes]……………………………………………Tue. Nov. 11 Thanksgiving Break [no classes]…………….Wed. Nov 26 – Fri. Nov 28 Fall Term last day of classes……………..……….…….……………Fri. Dec 12 Reading Period [no classes]……….…………Mon. Dec 15 – Tue. Dec 16 Finals Period………..…….…………………………..Wed. Dec 17 – Fri. Dec 19 Student Departure………………………………………………………Sat. Dec 20 |
| Spring Term (January – May 2026) | Student Arrival……………………………………………………Sun. Jan 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day service……………………………… Mon. Jan 19 Spring Term Classes Begin…………………………………. Tue. Jan 20 Elizabeth Peratrovich Day [no classes]…………………. .. Mon., Feb. 16 Spring Break [no classes]…………………………Wed. Mar 4 – Sun. Mar 8 Spring Term last day of classes………………………………….. Tue. Apr 28 Reading Period [no classes]…………………..Wed. Apr 29 – Sun. May 3 Finals Period…………………………………………..Mon. May 4 – Thu. May 7 Graduation…………………………………………………………………… Fri. May 8 Outer Coast Convening…………………………………………………Sat. May 9 Student Departure & Move-Out…………………………………. Sun. May 10 |
Apply
The application for the 2026-28 undergraduate cohort is now open.
