Skip to content
Close
LOGIN
SEARCH
Apply Now
Apply Now

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska

7,500 Students on Campus
Fairbanks Location
97,000 Metro Population
7,500 Students on Campus
Fairbanks Location
97,000 Metro Population

About This Campus

The University of Alaska Fairbanks sits in the heart of Alaska’s Interior, offering an experience unlike anywhere else. The campus sits on a ridge overlooking the Tanana River Valley and the Alaska Range, with mountain views on clear days. UAF blends a small, welcoming community with the resources of a major research institution. Students walk wooded trails, spot wildlife, and enjoy easy access to skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Fairbanks is a center for the sciences, Indigenous studies, Arctic research, and northern engineering, giving students opportunities to connect their studies to the region. The community offers art shows, theater, local markets, and cultural events, while winter brings northern lights, hot springs, and a uniquely Alaskan landscape. UAF is a strong fit for anyone interested in climate science, geology, wildlife biology, engineering in northern environments, or exploring Alaska’s culture and environment.

UAF is the nation’s northernmost Land, Sea, and Space Grant university, offering unique Arctic research and science opportunities.

Students can experience the northern lights right from campus during the long, clear winters in Fairbanks.

Small classes and a close-knit community help exchange students connect with faculty, join field learning, and get involved on campus.

Helpful Information

UAF is a welcoming campus where exchange students generally find the process smooth. On-campus housing is guaranteed, which makes arrival and daily life much easier, especially during the winter months when public transportation is limited. Courses aren’t overly competitive, and most visiting students are able to create a balanced schedule that fulfills their needs. Campus life is friendly and relaxed, with small classes that make it easy to connect with faculty and other students. UAF is a good fit for students who are curious, independent, and excited to experience Alaska’s environment, culture, and outdoor activities.

Location Information

UAF is located in Fairbanks, a small city in the center of Alaska’s Interior. The campus sits on a hill overlooking the Tanana River Valley, surrounded by boreal forest and wide open views of the Alaska Range. Fairbanks is known for its long summer days, cold clear winters, and frequent northern lights. It’s a community with easy access to trails, hot springs, and outdoor recreation, while still offering the amenities of a midsize town.

Academics

TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/24/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/12/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/11/2027 - Spring End Date: 05/08/2027

Summer Start Date: 10/01/2024 - Summer End Date: 10/01/2024

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Aviation, Fire Science

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Fisheries and Ocean Sciences — Covers fishery management, marine ecology, oceanography, and policy, with access to Alaska’s fisheries and coastal research institutes.
  • Geoscience and Earth Science — Covers earthquakes, volcanoes, glaciers, permafrost, and natural resources with strong fieldwork opportunities in Alaska’s active geological landscape.
  • Marine Biology — Focuses on marine organisms, northern oceans, and coastal ecosystems, with opportunities for research in the Gulf of Alaska and Arctic waters.
  • Mechanical, Civil, Geological, Aerospace and Petroleum Engineering — Offers broad engineering training with elective pathways connected to different engineering disciplines.
  • Wildlife Biology and Conservation — Provides hands-on training in wildlife management, ecology, and conservation with direct access to Alaska’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems.
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Alaska Native Studies and Indigenous Studies — Explores Alaska Native history, cultures, politics, languages, and contemporary issues, taught in partnership with Indigenous scholars.
  • Arctic Engineering and Cold Climate Design — Prepares students to engineer infrastructure in extreme cold, including permafrost foundations, remote-site construction, and northern energy systems.
  • Aurora Science and Space Physics — Studies the aurora, magnetosphere, and upper atmosphere using real-time data from Alaska’s high-latitude research stations.
  • Ethnobotony — Ethnobotany explores the relationships between people and plants, focusing on how Indigenous and local communities use, manage, and understand plant resources. The program at UAF emphasizes hands-on learning, traditional ecological knowledge, and the cultural significance of northern and Arctic plant species.
  • Homeland Security and Emergency Management — Focuses on disaster preparedness, response, and resilience with particular attention to rural and northern emergency systems.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
  • Summer Exchange: Summer Only Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? -

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/24/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost: $5595
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 21
  • Host Payment: 21
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Textbook Rental
$0
Credit Hour
Away & Home
Optional
Class Fees
$0
Credit Hour
Away & Home
Optional
Housing Application Fee
$40
Year
Away & Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

Class fees apply to certain courses and vary based on the type of class. For example, some courses include additional lab or materials fees.

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/24/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? Yes
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 50
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $3500
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Residence in our dorms range from about $2,800 to $4,500 per semester for undergraduate students and $900 to $1,200 per month for graduate students. Check all of our rates in our housing pages. All students living in university residence halls and Cutler Apartments are required to purchase a UAF meal plan. There are several options to fit your lifestyle, ranging from $2,395 to $3,195 per semester.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2500
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

If you have any dietary restrictions, feel free to reach out about accommodations.

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Good

This campus accepts many (50-74%) applicants. You definitely want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: