University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Alaska Fairbanks — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Alaska Fairbanks at a Glance
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public land-, sea-, and space-grant research university in College, Alaska, United States, a suburb of Fairbanks. It is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska system. UAF was established in 1917 and opened for classes in 1922. Originally named the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, it became the University of Alaska in 1935. Fairbanks-based programs became the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1975.
1917
109 years old
6,893
5,827 undergrad · 1,066 grad
2,250 acres
Identity
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, University of Alaska Fairbanks is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $48,866 — 9% below average — while paying $10,892/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Alaska Fairbanks has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Alaska Fairbanks compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #143 of 270 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #6 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #143 | University of Alaska Fairbanks | 39 | $10,892 | $48,866 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Alaska Fairbanks's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Alaska Fairbanks
The highest-earning program at University of Alaska Fairbanks is Mechanical Engineering at $63,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of Alaska Fairbanks earns $63,400, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $26,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $15,000 in median debt vs. $21,500 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,892/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,400 | $63,400 | $15,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $42,900 | $42,900 | $25,437 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,100 | $33,100 | $18,040 |
| Social Work | $28,200 | $28,200 | $23,622 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $21,500 |
Similar Colleges in AK
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Fairbanks, AK
- Student Body
- 4,207 students
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,892
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $48,866
- Median Student Debt
- $20,291