University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska's land-, sea- and space-grant research university, built around Arctic science on a hill above Fairbanks.
- Acceptance rate
- 64%
- First-year students entering fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
- Students
- 7,358
- 6,209 undergraduates
- International
- 2%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 7:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $24,360
- From · 2026-27
About UAF
The University of Alaska Fairbanks was founded in 1917 as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines and held its first classes in 1922 on a ridge above the Chena River valley that the Dena people call Troth Yeddha'. It became the University of Alaska in 1935 and took its current name in 1975. Today it is the flagship and main research campus of the University of Alaska system, with 7,358 students in fall 2025 (6,209 undergraduates, many of them part-time), plus rural campuses in Bethel, Dillingham, Kotzebue and Nome, a Community and Technical College and eCampus online programs.
UAF is known above all for Arctic and northern research: the Geophysical Institute (created by an act of Congress in 1946), the International Arctic Research Center and the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, which operates the ice-resistant research vessel Sikuliaq for the National Science Foundation. Research spending was about $222 million in FY2025. Teaching is organised into nine colleges and schools, including Engineering and Mines, Natural Science and Mathematics, Liberal Arts, Business and Security Management, and the College of Indigenous Studies.
Admission to bachelor's programs is broadly accessible (a 2.5 GPA in a 16-credit high school core), tests are not required, and classes are small. It suits independent students who want hands-on field science, a strong Alaska Native presence on campus (about 12% of undergraduates) and long, cold winters under the northern lights.
Ad summum
“To the top” — university motto
Why students choose UAF
Undergraduates can join research at institutes such as the Geophysical Institute and the International Arctic Research Center, with field sites across Alaska.
Students from Western Undergraduate Exchange states pay a reduced rate of $465 per credit in 2026-27 instead of the $934 nonresident rate.
Every admitted bachelor's student is automatically considered for the renewable Nanook Pledge Scholarship, worth up to $12,000 a year for nonresidents with a 3.8+ high school GPA.
Small classes (a 7:1 student-faculty ratio in the fall 2025 CDS) and an Honors College with its own living learning community.
Admissions
First-year students entering fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
About 1 in 2 applicants is admitted
3,749 admitted from 5,836 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
875 first-years enrolled in fall 2025. UAF reports an open admission policy in its CDS: bachelor's applicants need a high school diploma and a 2.5 GPA overall and in the 16-credit core, and students who fall short can start as pre-major or non-degree students. The admit rate is computed from the CDS applicant and admit totals.
Typical entry requirements
| U.S. high school diploma (bachelor's programs) | Pass the 16-credit high school core curriculum with at least a 2.5 GPA and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5; GED accepted for certificate and associate programs |
|---|---|
| International secondary education | Same academic standard as domestic applicants, plus proof of English proficiency and an official diploma where the transcript shows no graduation date; foreign transcripts evaluated by a NACES member (UAF recommends The Evaluation Company) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 79 Or PTE 55, or Duolingo English Test 110 for undergraduates. Applicants from a listed set of English-speaking countries are exempt. International students must also submit UAF's Financial Verification form showing funds for one year (estimated at $44,125 for undergraduates in 2026-27). |
Deadlines
- Foundation Scholarships application Next deadline · In ~4 monthsFebruary 15, 2027
Separate annual application for smaller, usually one-year UAF Foundation scholarships; February 15 is also the priority date in the CDS.
- International applicants (fall) Non-binding In ~5 monthsMarch 1, 2027
International applications received after the deadline may not be reviewed or may be moved to the next term.
- Regular admission (fall) Non-binding In ~8 monthsJune 15, 2027
Rolling decisions from January 1; no set reply date. Late applications may be accepted with a $25 late fee. Also the deadline to be considered for the Alaska Adventure Award.
UAF publishes recurring dates (June 15 for fall, November 1 for spring, March 1 for international fall entry) rather than year-specific ones; the 2027 dates above apply those published dates to fall 2027 entry. UAF has no early decision or early action plan.
How to apply
UAF's own application portal, the Common App, or options such as Appily Match and Niche; $50 application fee (waivers available); self-reported high school courses and weighted and unweighted GPA, followed by final official transcripts. No essay, recommendations or test scores are required.
What admissions looks for
- Academic GPA, the only factor UAF rates very important in its Common Data Set.
- Completion of the 16-credit high school core curriculum with at least a 2.5 GPA.
- Standardized test scores are considered if sent, but not required.
- State residency, which determines tuition rate and scholarship eligibility rather than admission.
Tips for applying to UAF
- 1 Apply by June 15 for fall; the Nanook Pledge and Alaska Adventure Award are awarded automatically at admission, so there is no separate application.
- 2 If you live in a WUE state, answer yes to the WUE question on UAF's application (or send the WUE form if you apply via the Common App); WUE time does not count toward Alaska residency.
- 3 International applicants should apply by March 1 and send the Financial Verification form and passport copy early so the I-20 can be issued.
- 4 Students from rural Alaska can prepare through the Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI).
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for University of Alaska Fairbanks
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Admitted bachelor's students are automatically considered for the four-year Nanook Pledge Scholarship ($1,000-$12,000 a year depending on GPA and tuition rate) and, for nonresidents not on WUE, the Alaska Adventure Award. Need-based aid goes through the FAFSA, and UAF Foundation scholarships through a separate application by February 15. International students cannot receive U.S. federal aid, but UAF awards institutional non-need-based aid to some, and residents of sister-city/province partner regions can qualify for resident tuition.
- $11,442 Alaska resident; $18,930 nonresident; $13,302 WUE
- Estimated semester cost 2026-27 (12 credits, on campus)
- $12,000/yr (GPA 3.8+), $8,000 (3.5-3.79), $5,000 (3.2-3.49)
- Nanook Pledge Scholarship, nonresident first-years
- 64.9%
- Average share of need met, first-year need-based aid recipients (CDS 2025-26)
- $12,039
- Average need-based scholarship or grant, first-years (CDS 2025-26)
- 31 students, average $18,009
- International (nonresident) undergraduates receiving institutional aid (CDS 2025-26)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Earth System Science and geophysics
Taught alongside the Geophysical Institute, which specialises in seismology, volcanology and aeronomy; the Poker Flat Research Range draws researchers from around the world.
Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
The college operates the 261-foot ice-resistant research vessel Sikuliaq for the National Science Foundation and runs the Institute of Marine Science.
Engineering and Mines
UAF began as a school of mines; the college houses the Institute of Northern Engineering, and alumni include former Rio Tinto CEO Tom Albanese.
Indigenous Studies
The College of Indigenous Studies was renamed from the College of Rural and Community Development in 2024 and enrolled 1,564 students in fall 2025; UAF also offers a PhD in Indigenous Studies.
Biological sciences
One of the most popular first-year majors, supported by the Institute of Arctic Biology and the Large Animal Research Station, which works with muskoxen and reindeer.
Research
- About $222 million in research expenditures in FY2025 (UAF fact sheet); UAF is classified R2 and is working toward R1 status.
- The Geophysical Institute (1946) and the International Arctic Research Center, which studies the circumpolar North and climate change.
- The research vessel Sikuliaq, operated by the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences for the National Science Foundation.
- The University of Alaska Museum of the North on the Fairbanks campus.
Schools & faculties
- College of Business and Security Management
- College of Engineering and Mines
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Natural Science and Mathematics
- College of Indigenous Studies
- Community and Technical College
- School of Education
- Graduate School
- Honors College
College Scorecard: median earnings of $48,866 ten years after entry and $40,746 six years after entry for federally aided students.
Student life
Campus life at UAF is shaped by the climate and the outdoors: summers bring the midnight sun, winters bring the aurora, skate parties at the Patty Ice Arena and plug-in car heaters. The Nanooks play NCAA Division I hockey as an independent at the Carlson Center downtown, and the rifle team has won 11 NCAA titles. There is no football team. The student body is older and more part-time than at most flagships: 37% of undergraduates are 25 or older, and most live off campus. Residence halls offer living learning communities, including outdoor adventure, LGBTQ+ and Honors options.
- Alaska Nanooks hockey in NCAA Division I (independent), with basketball, cross-country running and volleyball in NCAA Division II's Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
- A rifle team with 11 NCAA national championships.
- Alaska Native cultural housing and Indigenous programs and student organizations.
- The Sun Star student newspaper and student radio.
Housing. In fall 2025, 54% of first-years and 17% of all undergraduates lived in university housing, from traditional halls to suites and apartments; residents of halls and Cutler Apartments must buy a meal plan.
Location
Fairbanks is Alaska's second-largest city (about 33,500 people, with about 97,000 in the borough), on the Chena River in the state's Interior. It is a practical, small-city place with log cabins, hot springs and wilderness close by, and a popular destination for seeing the northern lights. Winters are long and very cold, so plan for real winter clothing; summers bring the midnight sun.
Nearest airport: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), about 10 minutes from campus
Notable alumni
- MM Margaret MurieNaturalist and conservationist; the first woman to graduate from the college, in 1924
- BB Bob BartlettAlaska's territorial delegate and one of its first two U.S. senators; graduated 1925
- GS George SchallerWildlife biologist and conservationist; bachelor's in biological science, 1955
- RG Ronald GrahamMathematician; bachelor's in physics, 1959
- JH Jay HammondGovernor of Alaska 1974-1982; degree in biological sciences
- TA Tom AlbaneseFormer CEO of Rio Tinto; bachelor's in mineral economics and master's in mining engineering
- TK Tyler KornfieldOlympic cross-country skier; mechanical engineering degree, 2013
- CP Colton ParaykoSt. Louis Blues defenceman; played college hockey at UAF on scholarship
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Alaska Fairbanks acceptance rate?
UAF admitted 3,749 of 5,836 first-year applicants for fall 2025, about 64%. It describes its admission policy as open: bachelor's applicants need a 2.5 GPA overall and in the 16-credit high school core.
Does UAF require the SAT or ACT?
No. Since December 2023 UAF has not required ACT or SAT scores for any undergraduate program, and scores are not used for UAF scholarships.
When is the UAF application deadline for fall 2027?
Domestic applicants should apply by June 15, and international applicants by March 1. Decisions are made on a rolling basis from January 1.
How much does UAF cost for out-of-state students?
In 2026-27 nonresident tuition is $934 per credit plus $81 per credit in fees, about $24,360-$30,450 a year depending on load; housing and food add about $13,500. Students from WUE states pay $465 per credit in tuition.
Does UAF offer scholarships to international students?
International students cannot get U.S. federal aid, but UAF's 2025-26 CDS reports institutional aid averaging $18,009 for 31 international undergraduates, and residents of partner sister-city regions can qualify for resident tuition.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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