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University of Alaska Fairbanks vs University of Alaska Southeast: which has better ROI?

Public, Fairbanks AK · vs · Public, Juneau AK

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Alaska Fairbanks has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,568 in 86.1 years versus 429.8 years at University of Alaska Southeast, on median earnings of $48,866 vs $48,475 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Alaska FairbanksUniversity of Alaska Southeast
Net price / yr$10,892$12,357
Total net cost$43,568$49,428
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,866$48,475
Median debt$20,291$19,111
Payback86.1 yrs429.8 yrs
20-year net return-$33,448-$47,128

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Alaska Southeast?

University of Alaska Fairbanks, at $10,892 a year after aid versus $12,357 — a gap of $1,465 a year, or $5,860 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Alaska Southeast graduates earn more?

University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates report a median $48,866 ten years after entry, $391 more than the $48,475 at University of Alaska Southeast. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Alaska Southeast?

University of Alaska Southeast: its completers carry a median $19,111 in federal loans versus $20,291 at University of Alaska Fairbanks, a difference of $1,180. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

38% of students finish at University of Alaska Fairbanks, against 28% at University of Alaska Southeast. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of Alaska Fairbanks vs University of Alaska Southeast: frequently asked questions

Is University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Alaska Southeast a better value?
University of Alaska Fairbanks. It clears its $43,568 net cost in about 86.1 years versus 429.8 years at University of Alaska Southeast, on median earnings of $48,866 vs $48,475 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Alaska Southeast?
University of Alaska Fairbanks: $10,892/yr net price after aid versus $12,357/yr at University of Alaska Southeast — a difference of $1,465 a year, or about $5,860 over four years.
Do University of Alaska Fairbanks or University of Alaska Southeast graduates earn more?
University of Alaska Fairbanks graduates earn a median $48,866 ten years after entry, versus $48,475 at University of Alaska Southeast — a $391 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.