University of Alaska Fairbanks

Fairbanks, AK

publicgraduate

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Quick Facts

“Ad summum”("To the top")

1917

Founded

Public land-grant research university

Type

6,640

Total Students

5,638

Undergrad

1,002

Graduate

$375M

Endowment

(2021)

Doctoral Universities

Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska's Flagship: Pioneering Arctic research from a land, sea, and space-grant university.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) stands as the flagship campus of the University of Alaska system, a public land-, sea-, and space-grant research university nestled in College, Alaska. UAF is renowned for its "High research activity" classification (R2: Doctoral Universities) and its unique position as a leading institution for Arctic and sub-Arctic research, contributing vital knowledge from the planet's polar regions to the vastness of space. Its strong research orientation, established from its earliest days, continues to define its academic mission and impact.

Established in 1917 as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, UAF has a rich history rooted in the development of a federal agricultural experiment station in 1906. This foundation set the stage for a university deeply committed to discovery. Over the decades, it evolved, first becoming the University of Alaska in 1935, and then solidifying its identity as the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1975, with a clear mandate as the primary research unit of the statewide system. The university campus, situated on Troth Yeddha' (College Hill), overlooks the Chena River valley, a place of historical significance to indigenous Athabaskan people.

Academically, UAF offers a robust and diverse portfolio, structured into specialized colleges like Arts and Letters, Behavioral Sciences and Education, Biological Sciences and Renewable Resources, Business, Economics, and Government, Earth Sciences and Mineral Industry, and Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering. Notably, in 2024, UAF established the College of Indigenous Studies, marking the first of its kind in the U.S. Beyond its main Fairbanks campus, UAF extends its reach through rural and urban campuses and offers fully online programs via UAF eCampus, ensuring access to its engaging and informative educational experience for a wide student body of 6,640 individuals, including those eager to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of the Alaskan frontier.

Key Highlights

✦Flagship campus of the University of Alaska system.
✦Designated an "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" institution.
✦Home to the first College of Indigenous Studies in the U.S. (established 2024).
✦A pioneering land-, sea-, and space-grant research university.
✦Founded in 1917, boasting over a century of research and educational innovation in Alaska.
✦Supports a vibrant student body of 6,640 on a sprawling 2,250-acre main campus.
✦Globally recognized, ranked 901-950 in the QS World Rankings (2026).

Timeline

1906

A federal agricultural experiment station, setting a research-oriented tone, was created in Fairbanks.

1915

U.S. Congress approved 2,250 acres for a campus; the cornerstone was laid on Troth Yeddha' (College Hill).

1917

Established as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines.

1922

Classes officially began with 16 courses and a student body of six.

1935

The Alaska Legislature officially changed the institution's name to the University of Alaska.

1960

Academic departments were divided into six select colleges, fostering tremendous growth in student population and research.

1975

The University of Alaska became the University of Alaska Fairbanks, solidifying its role as the primary research unit of the statewide system.

2024

The College of Rural and Community Development was renamed the College of Indigenous Studies, the first college of its kind in the U.S.

🏛️

109 Years

of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

8 notable schools within University of Alaska Fairbanks

🎭

College of Arts and Letters

Focuses on humanities, fine arts, and liberal arts education.

📚

College of Behavioral Sciences and Education

Dedicated to the study of human behavior and the preparation of educators.

🔬

College of Biological Sciences and Renewable Resources

Explores life sciences, ecology, and sustainable management of natural resources.

💼

College of Business, Economics, and Government

Offers programs in commerce, economic theory, and public policy and administration.

🔬

College of Earth Sciences and Mineral Industry

Specializes in geological sciences, mining engineering, and Earth-related research.

⚙️

College of Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Engineering

Covers foundational sciences, advanced mathematics, and various engineering disciplines.

🏫

College of Indigenous Studies

The first college in the U.S. dedicated to indigenous studies, focusing on Alaska Native and Indigenous cultures, languages, and issues.

🏫

UAF Community and Technical College

Provides vocational training, certificate, and associate degree programs with headquarters in downtown Fairbanks.

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