UAA vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks

Should I go to University of Alaska Anchorage or University of Alaska Fairbanks? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UAA or University of Alaska Fairbanks is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Alaska Pacific University Catawba College UC Davis UC Riverside UW
University of Alaska Anchorage vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks comparison
University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks College 3 College 4
University of Alaska Anchorage University of Alaska Fairbanks
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
Location Anchorage, AK Fairbanks, AK
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 10,796 6,640
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1020
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website alaska.edu uaf.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tuition (In State) $6,192 $6,936
Tuition (Out of State) $19,776 $20,520
Room & Board $12,412 $10,450
Avg Net Price $13,931 $9,985
Avg Grant Aid $7,545 $10,102
% Receiving Grant Aid 76% 84%

Admission

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,277 -
Admitted 2,845 -
Acceptance Rate 66.5%Open Open
Enrolled % 45.9%Open Open
Avg High School GPA 3.39 3.4
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Unavailable Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/27
SAT Range 1110/1360
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Jun 15, 2025

Academics

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Psychology (5%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)

Outcomes

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
Graduation Rate 25% 31%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $42,200
Making Student Loan Payments 55% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,704 $16,975
Median Loan Payment $193 $175

Diversity

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
% Men 2% 6%
% Women 4% 9%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 57% 42%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 6%
% Native American 6% 14%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 11% 4%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 29%

Students

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
% In-State 92% 81%
% Out-of-State 6% 18%

Campus

 UAA University of Alaska Fairbanks
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Alaska Anchorage is larger than than University of Alaska Fairbanks based on total student enrollment (10,796 students vs. 6,640 students)

UAA vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAA or University of Alaska Fairbanks?

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks is 12% more expensive to attend than UAA for in-state tuition ($6,936.00 vs. $6,192.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 3.8% higher at University of Alaska Fairbanks than University of Alaska Anchorage ($20,520.00 vs. $19,776.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alaska Fairbanks than UAA ($9,985 vs. $13,931)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alaska Fairbanks are 18.8% lower than costs at University of Alaska Anchorage ($10,450 vs. $12,412)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Alaska Fairbanks than University of Alaska Anchorage (84% vs. 76%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alaska Fairbanks students is 33.9% larger than aid received University of Alaska Anchorage ($10,102 vs. $7,545)

Which college is harder to get into, UAA or University of Alaska Fairbanks? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Alaska Fairbanks or UAA .

  • Accepted freshman University of Alaska Fairbanks students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UAA (3.39)

UAA vs. University of Alaska Fairbanks Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UAA or University of Alaska Fairbanks? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Alaska Fairbanks and UAA.

  • The graduation rate at University of Alaska Fairbanks is higher than University of Alaska Anchorage (31% vs. 25%)
  • Graduates from University of Alaska Anchorage earn on average $6,700 more per year than University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $42,200)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks students graduate with a $1,729 lower median federal student loan debt than UAA graduates. ($16,975 vs. $18,704)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than UAA graduates. ($175 vs. $193)
  • More UAA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alaska Fairbanks students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/