Head-to-head · 2026
University of Alaska Anchorage vs University of Alaska Fairbanks
Compare average net price ($15,301 at University of Alaska Anchorage; $10,892 at University of Alaska Fairbanks), ROI score (8.48 vs 11.22), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($51,871 vs $48,866), and admissions context (Open / not reported at University of Alaska Anchorage; Open / not reported at University of Alaska Fairbanks) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of Alaska Anchorage | University of Alaska Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.48 | 11.22 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,301 | $10,892 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $61,204 | $43,568 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,738 | $8,736 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,322 | $22,320 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $51,871 ✓ | $48,866 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 29.7% | 38% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.7% | 74.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $20,210 ✓ | $20,291 |
| Enrollment | 7,212 | 4,207 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of Alaska Anchorage | University of Alaska Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,582 | $7,992 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,401 | $6,065 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,662 | $11,323 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,826 | $15,526 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,975 | $17,512 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of Alaska Anchorage | University of Alaska Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 13.3% | 5.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.1% | 11.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.8% | 3.6% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 3% | 4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.5% | 5.7% |
| Psychology, General | 3.2% | 2.7% |
| Biology, General | 1.6% | 4.1% |
| Public Health | 3.6% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Alaska Fairbanks reports the lower average net price by $4,409 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $17,636 difference over four years ($43,568 vs $61,204).
University of Alaska Anchorage reports $3,005 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,871 vs $48,866). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.7% at University of Alaska Anchorage and 74.1% at University of Alaska Fairbanks. Median federal debt among completers is $20,210 vs $20,291, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
University of Alaska Anchorage vs University of Alaska Fairbanks, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Alaska Fairbanks is cheaper — average net price $10,892 per year vs $15,301 at University of Alaska Anchorage. The annual difference of $4,409 adds up to about $17,636 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Alaska Anchorage reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,871 vs $48,866 at University of Alaska Fairbanks. The gap in the federal data is $3,005. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.