University of Alaska Fairbanks — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Alaska Fairbanks charges a net price of $10,892/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $43,568. Graduates earn a median $48,866 ten years after entry, $506/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 86.1 years — a 20-year net return of -$33,448, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Alaska Fairbanks's 86.1-year payback ranks #1,226 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 4% of them, and #3 of 6 in Alaska.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $10,892/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $43,568 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $48,866 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $506/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $20,291 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 86.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$33,448 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Alaska Fairbanks's own numbers. Net price $10,892 × 4 years = $43,568 total. Median earnings $48,866 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $506 a year of premium. $43,568 ÷ $506 = 86.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$33,448. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Alaska Fairbanks students graduate with?
A median $20,291 in federal loans among completers, or 42% of the $48,866 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Alaska Fairbanks students graduate?
38% finish their degree — 62% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $43,568 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $114,653 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks expensive compared with other Alaska colleges?
Its $10,892 net price runs $6,834 below the $17,726 median across the 6 Alaska colleges we profile, and $27,334 less across the full degree.