University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Should I go to University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Minnesota Duluth? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Minnesota-Duluth 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.

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University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. University of Minnesota Duluth comparison
University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota Duluth College 3 College 4
University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota Duluth
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Overview

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota-Duluth
Location Fairbanks, AK Duluth, MN
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,607 9,675
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1024 #527
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uaf.edu umn.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota-Duluth
Tuition (In State) $6,240 $12,638
Tuition (Out of State) $19,824 $18,028
Room & Board $10,650 $9,638
Avg Net Price $9,450 $18,031
Avg Grant Aid $8,704 $7,345
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 84%

Admission

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota-Duluth
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 9,512
Admitted - 7,676
Acceptance Rate Open 80.7%
Enrolled % Open 25.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.51
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/27 22/28
SAT Range 1110/1360 1120/1350
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota-Duluth
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)

Outcomes

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota-Duluth
Graduation Rate 31% 55%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,200 $53,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 76%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,975 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $258

Diversity

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota-Duluth
% Men 38% 50%
% Women 62% 50%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 42% 86%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 14% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 29% 1%

Students

University of Alaska Fairbanks University of Minnesota-Duluth
% In-State 78% 84%
% Out-of-State 20% 16%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Minnesota Duluth is larger than than University of Alaska Fairbanks based on total student enrollment (9,675 students vs. 6,607 students)

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Minnesota-Duluth?

  • University of Minnesota Duluth is 102.5% more expensive to attend than University of Alaska Fairbanks for in-state tuition ($12,638.00 vs. $6,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10% higher at University of Alaska Fairbanks than University of Minnesota Duluth ($19,824.00 vs. $18,028.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alaska Fairbanks than University of Minnesota-Duluth ($9,450 vs. $18,031)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 10.5% lower than costs at University of Alaska Fairbanks ($9,638 vs. $10,650)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Alaska Fairbanks than University of Minnesota Duluth (99% vs. 84%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alaska Fairbanks students is 18.5% larger than aid received University of Minnesota Duluth ($8,704 vs. $7,345)

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Minnesota Duluth (1109) is 51 points higher than at University of Alaska Fairbanks (1058)
  • Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at University of Alaska Fairbanks (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.51) than students at University of Alaska Fairbanks (3.4)

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota-Duluth and University of Alaska Fairbanks.

  • The graduation rate at University of Minnesota-Duluth is higher than University of Alaska Fairbanks (55% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn on average $11,300 more per year than University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates after ten years. ($53,500 vs. $42,200)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks students graduate with a $8,025 lower median federal student loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates. ($16,975 vs. $25,000)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates. ($175 vs. $258)
  • More University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alaska Fairbanks students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 53%)

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