Cost

Tuition and Fees

Total Cost: Approximately $10,500

Field Fees and Tuition Covers:

  1. Tuition for six (6) upper-division Earth and Environmental Science credits through the University of Maine, paid directly to the University of $2400.

  2. Field fees, paid directly to the Wrangell Mountains Center of approximately $8100. This field fee covers a portion of the costs the Wrangell Mountains Center incurs for running the program, including:

    • Food: There are multiple food drops, by plane, when students are in the backcountry. We support a variety of dietary restrictions, so if you have a food restriction or severe food allergy, please contact our staff directly at fieldstudies@wrangells.org.

    • Lodging: We provide primitive accommodations (camping) once in McCarthy including outdoor showers, outhouses, dining hall, and classrooms. Lodging in Anchorage is the student’s responsibility/cost.

    • Academic Instruction: In-depth, hands-on mentorship and training from scientists and researchers; interdisciplinary academic curriculum and field projects; extensive academic lectures.

    • Safety Training: We offer instruction in glacier travel and general wilderness safety by WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certified instructors.

    • Transportation During the Program: We travel in and around McCarthy via vans and shuttles.

    • Use of Group Gear: Including bear spray, bear-safe food bags, microspikes for glacial traverses, etc. If you have any questions about gear, please contact the Program Coordinator at fieldstudies@wrangells.org.

Participants are financially responsible for the following:

  1. Travel to and from Anchorage. The Wrangell Mountains Center will pick up students and bring them to our campus in McCarthy, Alaska, then return students to an address of their choosing in Anchorage at the conclusion of the program.

  2. Backcountry equipment: Equipment is detailed on the gear list page.

  3. Health and Evacuation Insurance: Students are responsible for carrying insurance for any medical care required as a result of an injury.

  4. Any other costs in McCarthy or Anchorage before or after the program

Alaska Native students, Alaskan minority students, and/or Alaskan students from rural areas are invited to apply for an individual scholarship with the Schmidt Charitable Trust. We are available to assist with the application process.

The Wrangell Mountains Center is committed to keeping student costs low. Please contact us if you would like to receive financial help through Letters of Support for third-party grant/scholarship opportunities.


The Wrangell Mountains Center will continue to search for grant funding in order to provide greater accessibility to our Field Studies Program. We strongly encourage applicants to research funding options available from their home institutions, outside organizations, and assistance from family or friends.