University of Alaska Fairbanks: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Fairbanks, Alaska · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public university in Fairbanks, Alaska that admits about 62% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $10,892 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other and Biology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 39% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution located in Fairbanks, Alaska with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Alaska Fairbanks admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 62%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1190 and an ACT composite around 22. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $10,892 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Alaska Fairbanks?
50% of enrolled students at University of Alaska Fairbanks had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.37, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Alaska Fairbanks weight in admissions?
University of Alaska Fairbanks reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores University of Alaska Fairbanks typically admits
Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1070 |
| 50th percentile | 1190 |
| 75th percentile | 1310 |
| % submitting SAT | 14% |
| 25th percentile | 18 |
| 50th percentile | 22 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | 11% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 3% |
| Top 25% of class | 11% |
| Top 50% of class | 30% |
| % submitting class rank | 44% |
How much does University of Alaska Fairbanks actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,736 for in-state students and $22,320 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $10,590 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $10,892 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 22% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $8,670 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $25,650 |
| Room and board | $10,590 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $10,892 |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Alaska Fairbanks
| Regular deadline | June 15 |
| Notification date | No set date |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Alaska Fairbanks?
These predict outcomes at University of Alaska Fairbanks better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Alaska Fairbanks
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Alaska Fairbanks, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other and Biology, General. Across all programs, University of Alaska Fairbanks confers roughly 269 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $68,416 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 53 | $68,416 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 36 | — |
| Biology, General | 35 | $47,069 |
| Homeland Security | 35 | — |
| Psychology, General | 33 | $39,830 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 27 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 26 | $94,625 |
| Social Work | 24 | $42,999 |
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Alaska Fairbanks disclosed 25 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 8 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Alaska Fairbanks?
About 17% of undergraduates at University of Alaska Fairbanks live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Next steps for University of Alaska Fairbanks
Common questions parents ask about University of Alaska Fairbanks
What GPA do I need for University of Alaska Fairbanks?
50% of enrolled students at University of Alaska Fairbanks had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.37, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Alaska Fairbanks typically admit?
University of Alaska Fairbanks does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does University of Alaska Fairbanks actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Alaska Fairbanks after grants and scholarships is $10,892 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,736 and $22,320 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks realistic for my child?
University of Alaska Fairbanks admits 62% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $10,892 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Alaska Fairbanks?
University of Alaska Fairbanks accepts about 62% of applicants out of roughly 3,677 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks test-optional?
Yes. University of Alaska Fairbanks is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Alaska Fairbanks?
About 39% of students at University of Alaska Fairbanks graduate within six years, and 25% finish in four years. 74% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Alaska Fairbanks look for in applicants?
University of Alaska Fairbanks rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution located in Fairbanks, Alaska.
What are the most popular majors at University of Alaska Fairbanks?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Alaska Fairbanks by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other and Biology, General. The school awards about 269 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Alaska Fairbanks reported 25 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Alaska Fairbanks?
At University of Alaska Fairbanks, 17% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Alaska Fairbanks, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers