Alaska Career College vs University of Alaska Fairbanks
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Alaska Career College Anchorage, AK | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -286% | +360% |
| 10-year net gain | $-123,138 | $183,198 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $36,985 | $68,416 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $35,970 | $48,151 |
| Average net price | $20,150 | $10,892 |
| Median debt | $7,377 | $20,291 |
| Break-even | — | 2.2 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 38% |
| Admission rate | — | — |
Alaska Career College
Poor return
$-123,138 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Strong return
+$183,198 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.