University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK 99775
About University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public research university in Fairbanks, Alaska, serving roughly 4,207 students. University of Alaska Fairbanks awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $8,736 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $48,866 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- University of Alaska Fairbanks charges 58% above the national public median tuition ($8,736).
- Versus the Alaska median, sticker tuition is 5% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 38.01%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $48,866.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at University of Alaska Fairbanks is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 1022% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
University of Alaska Fairbanks awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 106 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | $8,736 | $10,892 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Alaska (state median) | $9,198 | — | 8 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is University of Alaska Fairbanks really?
Key findings
- University of Alaska Fairbanks charges 58% above the national public median tuition ($8,736).
- Versus the Alaska median, sticker tuition is 5% below.
University of Alaska Fairbanks tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $8,736
Finding University of Alaska Fairbanks charges 58% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $8,736. That is 58% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Alaska median ($9,198), sticker tuition is 5% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is 27% below.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at University of Alaska Fairbanks versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at University of Alaska Fairbanks versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at University of Alaska Fairbanks is $10,892.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $10,892 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). Versus town campuses, net price runs $4,079 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At University of Alaska Fairbanks, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
University of Alaska Fairbanks: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for University of Alaska Fairbanks—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$8,736
Out-of-state tuition
$22,320
Avg. net price
$10,892
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $7,992 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $6,065 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,323 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,526 |
| $110,001+ | $17,512 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $34,944. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What University of Alaska Fairbanks is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General110
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management65
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies64
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General52
- Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management52
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Midpoint ACT: 22
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Campus
Location
Fairbanks, AK
City / state
- ZIP
- 99775
- NCES locale
- Town
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 27% below the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Far West
- Carnegie
- Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Size
Enrollment
4,207
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 9,559
- Graduate
- 1,066
- Full-time share
- 59%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$20,291
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 22.43%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Alaska Fairbanks was 0.10%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Alaska Fairbanks in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $4,984 | $15,560 | $9,372 |
| 2014 | $5,246 | $16,238 | $9,188 |
| 2015 | $5,674 | $17,303 | $9,942 |
| 2016 | $5,976 | $18,184 | $10,248 |
| 2017 | $6,262 | $19,183 | $9,988 |
| 2018 | $6,657 | $20,218 | $11,297 |
| 2019 | $7,080 | $21,216 | $10,333 |
| 2020 | $7,176 | $21,312 | $10,342 |
| 2021 | $7,248 | $21,384 | $9,684 |
| 2022 | $7,896 | $22,032 | $8,529 |
| 2023 | $8,640 | $22,752 | $9,634 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Admissions funnel data is not available for this institution.
Test Scores
Midpoint 22 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Alaska Fairbanks reported total enrollment of about 4,207 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 40% male and 60% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (53.2%), American Indian or Alaska Native (12.8%), and Two or More Races (11.4%). About 22.43% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 39.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
59.0% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Alaska Fairbanks in 2024 is 4,207 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,559 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,066 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
74.1%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
25.38% 100% Completion Time
38.01% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 25.38% of students graduating from University of Alaska Fairbanks completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 45% male / 55% female
- Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management: 65% male / 35% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 28% male / 72% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates earn a median of $48,866 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $48,866. Median federal loan debt: $20,291. Average net price used in cost models: $10,892.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates report median earnings of $48,866 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (106 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for University of Alaska Fairbanks—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$148.9M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Alaska median 2.8× the median ($52.4M)
- Far West median 8.9× the median ($16.8M)
- U.S. median 5.6× the median ($26.4M)
- Alaska median 0.65× the median ($53,229)
- Far West median 4.8× the median ($7,260)
- U.S. median 2.9× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 61.5%
- Alaska median 9.8 pp above median (51.7%)
- Far West median 15.9 pp above median (45.7%)
- U.S. median 3.6 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $10,444
- Alaska median 1.3× the median ($7,919)
- Far West median 1.1× the median ($9,635)
- U.S. median 1.4× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $19,769
- Alaska median 1.1× the median ($18,401)
- Far West median 2.8× the median ($7,030)
- U.S. median 2.7× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
University of Alaska Fairbanks at a glance
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution in Fairbanks, AK, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralWildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and ManagementLiberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian53.2%American Indian or Alaska Native12.8%Two or More Races11.4%
Schools near University of Alaska Fairbanks
Other campuses in Fairbanks, AK when available, plus nearby institutions in Alaska.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C-) within Alaska, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Alaska Fairbanks located?
University of Alaska Fairbanks is located in Fairbanks, AK.
What is University of Alaska Fairbanks's tuition?
University of Alaska Fairbanks tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $8,736 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $10,892 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does University of Alaska Fairbanks cost?
Reported tuition is $8,736 and average net price is $10,892 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,590 annually.
What explains University of Alaska Fairbanks's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($10,892), completion (38.0% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($48,866). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at University of Alaska Fairbanks?
University of Alaska Fairbanks reports undergraduate enrollment of about 9,559 students, White (53.2%), American Indian or Alaska Native (12.8%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Alaska Fairbanks?
About 39.9% of students at University of Alaska Fairbanks are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Alaska Fairbanks?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Alaska Fairbanks reports midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of University of Alaska Fairbanks earn?
Median earnings are $40,746 six years after entry and $48,866 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Alaska Fairbanks?
The 150%-time completion rate is 38.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Alaska Fairbanks students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,291.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks public or private?
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution located in Fairbanks, AK.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks an HBCU?
No. University of Alaska Fairbanks is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Alaska college profile
- Alaska college costs
- Alaska colleges by ROI
- University of Alaska Anchorage vs University of Alaska Fairbanks vs Charter College
- Far West regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Alaska
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.