University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. Western Washington University

Should I go to University of Alaska Fairbanks or Western Washington University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Alaska Fairbanks or Western Washington University 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. Western Washington University comparison
University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University College 3 College 4
University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
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Overview

 University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
Location Fairbanks, AK Bellingham, WA
Setting Small Suburban Small City
Enrollment 6,607 14,747
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #1024 #378
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uaf.edu wwu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
Tuition (In State) $6,240 $7,760
Tuition (Out of State) $19,824 $25,666
Room & Board $10,650 $14,691
Avg Net Price $9,450 $21,105
Avg Grant Aid $8,704 $6,522
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 91%

Admission

 University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 11,864
Admitted - 10,997
Acceptance Rate Open 92.7%
Enrolled % Open 29.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.46
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/27 25/30
SAT Range 1110/1360 1130/1340
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jun 15, 2025 Jan 31, 2025

Academics

 University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (12%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

 University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
Graduation Rate 31% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,200 $48,000
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,975 $19,413
Median Loan Payment $175 $200

Diversity

 University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
% Men 38% 42%
% Women 62% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 42% 73%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 6% 8%
% Native American 14% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 9%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 29% 1%

Students

 University of Alaska Fairbanks Western Washington University
% In-State 78% 83%
% Out-of-State 20% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Washington University is larger than than University of Alaska Fairbanks based on total student enrollment (14,747 students vs. 6,607 students)

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. Western Washington University Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Washington University is 24.4% more expensive to attend than University of Alaska Fairbanks for in-state tuition ($7,760.00 vs. $6,240.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 29.5% higher at Western Washington University than University of Alaska Fairbanks ($25,666.00 vs. $19,824.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Alaska Fairbanks than Western Washington University ($9,450 vs. $21,105)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alaska Fairbanks are 37.9% lower than costs at Western Washington University ($10,650 vs. $14,691)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Alaska Fairbanks than Western Washington University (99% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Alaska Fairbanks students is 33.5% larger than aid received Western Washington University ($8,704 vs. $6,522)

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

  • The average SAT score at Western Washington University (1114) is 56 points higher than at University of Alaska Fairbanks (1058)
  • Incoming Western Washington University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University of Alaska Fairbanks (22)
  • Accepted freshman Western Washington University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at University of Alaska Fairbanks (3.4)

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs. Western Washington University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Alaska Fairbanks or Western Washington University? 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 Western Washington University and University of Alaska Fairbanks.

  • The graduation rate at Western Washington University is higher than University of Alaska Fairbanks (73% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Western Washington University earn on average $5,800 more per year than University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $42,200)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks students graduate with a $2,438 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Washington University graduates. ($16,975 vs. $19,413)
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than Western Washington University graduates. ($175 vs. $200)
  • More Western Washington University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alaska Fairbanks students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 53%)

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