University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. Catawba College

Deciding between University of Alaska Fairbanks and Catawba College? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Alaska Fairbanks
Catawba College

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  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK
  • Catawba College Salisbury, NC
  • Setting
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Small Suburban
  • Catawba College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 6,893
  • Catawba College 1,376
  • Type
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Public 4 Year
  • Catawba College Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks #1023
  • Catawba College #555
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks -
  • Catawba College -
  • Status
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Non-profit
  • Catawba College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Catawba College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $8,736
  • Catawba College $34,300
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $22,320
  • Catawba College $34,300
  • Room & Board
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $10,590
  • Catawba College $13,565
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $11,278
  • Catawba College $18,447
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $10,424
  • Catawba College $30,808
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 87%
  • Catawba College 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks -
  • Catawba College 3,457
  • Admitted
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks -
  • Catawba College 2,600
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Open
  • Catawba College 75.2%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Open
  • Catawba College 12.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 1240
  • Catawba College 1170
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 22
  • Catawba College 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 3.4
  • Catawba College 3.64
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks B+
  • Catawba College A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Challenging
  • Catawba College Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Catawba College
  • ACT Range
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 17/27
  • Catawba College 17/25
  • SAT Range
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 1110/1360
  • Catawba College 1030/1300
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Open admission
  • Catawba College Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks Jun 15, 2027
  • Catawba College Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 11:1
  • Catawba College 13:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
    • Business (12%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Catawba College
    • Business (32%)
    • Education (20%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 31%
  • Catawba College 54%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $42,200
  • Catawba College $42,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 53%
  • Catawba College 60%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $16,975
  • Catawba College $25,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks $175
  • Catawba College $258
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 39%
  • Catawba College 48%
  • % Women
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 61%
  • Catawba College 52%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks High
  • Catawba College Medium
  • HBCU
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks No
  • Catawba College No
  • % White
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 42%
  • Catawba College 69%
  • % Asian
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 1%
  • Catawba College 1%
  • % Black
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 2%
  • Catawba College 19%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 6%
  • Catawba College 5%
  • % Native American
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 14%
  • Catawba College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 0%
  • Catawba College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 4%
  • Catawba College 3%
  • % International
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 1%
  • Catawba College 3%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 29%
  • Catawba College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 78%
  • Catawba College 70%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks 20%
  • Catawba College 23%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, AK with Catawba College in Salisbury, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Alaska Fairbanks is larger than Catawba College based on total student enrollment (6,893 students vs. 1,376 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks is located in Fairbanks, AK (Small Suburban setting); Catawba College is in Salisbury, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Catawba College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alaska Fairbanks 11:1; Catawba College 13:1.

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. Catawba College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alaska Fairbanks or Catawba College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alaska Fairbanks than Catawba College ($11,278 vs. $18,447).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alaska Fairbanks are 21.9% lower than at Catawba College ($10,590 vs. $13,565).
  • Catawba College is 292.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Alaska Fairbanks (about $25,564 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $8,736.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Catawba College than at University of Alaska Fairbanks (about $11,980 more per year; $34,300.00 vs. $22,320.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Catawba College than at University of Alaska Fairbanks (100% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Catawba College students is 195.5% larger than aid received by University of Alaska Fairbanks students ($30,808 vs. $10,424).

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. Catawba College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alaska Fairbanks or Catawba College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Catawba College and University of Alaska Fairbanks.

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alaska Fairbanks (1240) is 70 points higher than at Catawba College (1170).
  • Incoming University of Alaska Fairbanks students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Catawba College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alaska Fairbanks 1110/1360; Catawba College 1030/1300.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alaska Fairbanks 17/27; Catawba College 17/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alaska Fairbanks - Open admission; Catawba College - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of Alaska Fairbanks Jun 15, 2027; Catawba College Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Catawba College students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at University of Alaska Fairbanks (3.4).

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. Catawba College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alaska Fairbanks and Catawba College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Catawba College's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than University of Alaska Fairbanks's (31%).
  • Graduates from University of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of about $200 more per year than Catawba College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates have a $8,025 lower median loan debt than Catawba College graduates ($16,975 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Catawba College graduates ($175 vs. $258).
  • More Catawba College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alaska Fairbanks students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.