University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) vs Northern Arizona University (NAU)

Nestled in the heart of Alaska's wilderness and the vibrant city of Flagstaff, Arizona, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) stand as prominent institutions of higher learning. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs and opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that cater to different student preferences and aspirations. UAF boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. NAU, on the other hand, attracts a larger student body, resulting in a more diverse and dynamic campus environment. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
Northern Arizona University logo

Northern Arizona University

University of Alaska Fairbanks logo

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Overview

Location Flagstaff, Arizona Fairbanks, Alaska
Campus setting City: Small Suburb: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 74.0% 68.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 78.4% 64.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $75
SAT range N/A 1110 - 1360
ACT range N/A 17 - 27
Students submitting SAT score 12.0%
Students submitting ACT score 16.0%
Total number of applicants 42,872 1,402
Total number of admissions given out 33,592 907
Admitted students who chose to enroll 5,297 678
Yield rate 15.8% 74.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $28,430

Out of state: $43,176
In state: $25,548

Out of state: $39,684
Average net price $16,059 $9,379
Tuition
In state: $10,650

Out of state: $25,396
In state: $5,616

Out of state: $19,200
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,000

Meal plan: $5,338
Room/dormitory: $5,150

Meal plan: $5,390
Available payment plans
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

97.0%
Average amount $12,922
90.0%
Average amount $8,808
Students receiving federal student loan 34.0%
Average amount $5,314
21.0%
Average amount $5,312
Students taking out private loans 4.0%
Average amount $13,306
2.0%
Average amount $13,596

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 24,162
Men 37.0% Women 63.0%
5,844
Men 38.4% Women 61.6%
Graduate students 4,549
Men 32.1% Women 67.9%
982
Men 38.7% Women 61.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 31.9% 17.1%
International students 2.2% 2.4%
Campus local/setting City: Small Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity 9,853 1,554
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Arizona California Colorado Nevada New Mexico Alaska Washington California Oregon Florida

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Business
  • Education
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
Students to faculty ratio 21:1 12:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome

Graduation rate 59.0% 38.4%
Dropout rate 40.0% 39.6%
Transferred out N/A 18.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,560
  • Year 2: $101,406
  • Year 3: $108,112
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,716
  • Year 2: $92,632
  • Year 3: $96,135
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $80,374
  • Year 2: $79,081
  • Year 3: $89,768
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,244
  • Year 2: $76,117
  • Year 3: $81,532
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,225
  • Year 2: $74,890
  • Year 3: $79,106
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,718
  • Year 2: $68,219
  • Year 3: $75,432
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,725
  • Year 2: $71,183
  • Year 3: $71,928
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,840
  • Year 2: $59,350
  • Year 3: $70,793
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,911
  • Year 2: $65,042
  • Year 3: $70,433
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,712
  • Year 2: $54,252
  • Year 3: $68,199
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $75,889
  • Year 3: $89,097
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,843
  • Year 2: $63,997
  • Year 3: $79,303
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,735
  • Year 2: $68,219
  • Year 3: $73,558
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $63,997
  • Year 3: $62,935
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $46,188
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: $53,812
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,355
  • Year 2: $30,771
  • Year 3: $44,672
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
  • Year 1: $33,666
  • Year 2: $44,942
  • Year 3: $43,923
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $32,119
  • Year 3: $34,458
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $26,635
  • Year 2: $31,314
  • Year 3: $32,564
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,241
  • Year 2: $26,739
  • Year 3: $32,435