University of Alaska Fairbanks
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public research university founded in 1917 serving 7,486 students through on-campus, regional, and eCampus online channels. It operates unique Arctic research facilities including Poker Flat Research Range and the UAS Test Site, generating revenue from tuition, state appropriations, federal grants, and private donations.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1917
- HeadquartersFairbanks, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Alaska Fairbanks does
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is a public research university founded in 1917, operating as part of the University of Alaska state system under the UA Board of Regents. It serves 7,486 students from 52 states/territories and 51 countries with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, offering 180+ undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates across multiple colleges and schools. The institution delivers education through on-campus instruction at the 2,250-acre Troth Yeddha' Fairbanks campus, four regional campuses in Kotzebue, Bethel, Nome, and Dillingham serving remote Alaska communities, and eCampus online education reaching students globally.
UAF's core research infrastructure is anchored by unique facilities including Poker Flat Research Range (the world's only university-owned scientific rocket launching facility, with 355 major sounding rockets launched over 56 years), the UAS Test Site for autonomous flight testing, the Geophysical Institute, the International Arctic Research Center, and the Rasmuson Library (Alaska's largest, with 1.2M+ items). Specialized research spans Arctic and polar science, plasma physics, geophysics, atmospheric science, marine biology, and Alaska Native languages and cultures. Recent technical collaborations include autonomous air cargo testing with Merlin (25 test flights, 60+ hours), cold-weather UAV testing with Windracers, hydrokinetic power evaluation with the Galena community, and a heliophysics coloring book co-developed with NASA featuring translations into seven Alaska Indigenous languages.
Revenue is generated through four primary streams: tuition and fees (~$12,205/semester Alaska resident, ~$21,205/semester non-resident, with WUE and military discounts), State of Alaska appropriations, federal research grants from NASA, NSF, NOAA, USDA, DOE, and DOD, and private donations/endowments. Distribution reaches students through direct-to-consumer recruitment (admissions office, campus visits, transfer pathways, military outreach), distance/online education via eCampus, and a Cooperative Extension Service. UAF positions itself as "America's Arctic University" with a Land-Sea-Space Grant institution status providing access to specialized federal research funding.
University of Alaska Fairbanks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Legal name
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Website
- https://uaf.edu
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1917
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public research university founded in 1917 serving 7,486 students through on-campus, regional, and eCampus online channels. It operates unique Arctic research facilities including Poker Flat Research Range and the UAS Test Site, generating revenue from tuition, state appropriations, federal grants, and private donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Alaska Fairbanks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education and Research
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Land-Grant Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAB), Public Research Universities with Major Extension & Outreach Missions (EDAHAAAG)
Keywords
Where University of Alaska Fairbanks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fairbanks
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
University of Alaska Fairbanks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, with different rates for Alaska residents ($12,205/semester average) and non-residents ($21,205/semester average). Additional revenue from fees, housing, and meal plans.
- State Appropriation: State of Alaska funding as a public university institution, forming a core part of operational funding alongside tuition revenue.
- Federal Research Grants: Grants from federal agencies including NASA, NSF, NOAA, USDA, DOE, and DOD supporting research programs in Arctic science, climate, marine energy, and other specialized research areas.
- Private Donations and Endowments: Gifts from alumni, foundations, and private donors supporting scholarships, research programs, and capital projects. Major donors include Walt and Marita Babula ($7.4M for planetarium).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Alaska Resident Full-Time Student |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Resident Full-Time Student |
| Subscription | Annual | Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Rate |
| Subscription | Annual | Military-Affiliated Students |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
University of Alaska Fairbanks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public research university offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates, delivered through on-campus instruction in Fairbanks and regional campuses, as well as online via UAF eCampus. The institution operates specialized research facilities including the Poker Flat Research Range and conducts research in Arctic, atmospheric, geophysical, and marine sciences. Supporting services include financial aid, health and counseling, library access, recreation, and intercollegiate athletics through the Alaska Nanooks program.
Product overview
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a comprehensive public research university offering a unified educational service portfolio centered on undergraduate and graduate degree programs across multiple colleges and schools. The institution delivers education through on-campus instruction and UAF eCampus, its online and distance learning platform. Supporting the academic mission are student services including Financial Aid Services, the Student Health and Counseling Center, and Nanook Recreation facilities. The university also operates research facilities including the UA Museum of the North, Rasmuson Library (Alaska's largest library), and various specialized research stations. The Nanooks athletics program competes at NCAA Division I level. These offerings function as an integrated university service ecosystem rather than separate commercial products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Alaska Nanooks: The athletic teams of University of Alaska Fairbanks, competing in NCAA Division I and II sports including hockey, basketball, cross-country, rifle, swimming, volleyball, and skiing
Products and services
- UAF eCampus Online Education Online and distance education platform offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and courses accessible remotely to students statewide and beyond.
- UAF Financial Aid Services Comprehensive financial aid services including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs with dedicated counseling and application support for UAF students.
- UAF Student Health and Counseling Center On-campus medical and mental health services providing primary care, counseling, health education, and insurance assistance for enrolled UAF students, including after-hours TimelyCare virtual services.
- UAF Nanooks Athletics UAF's intercollegiate athletics program competing as the Nanooks in NCAA Division I hockey and Division II basketball, cross-country, skiing, rifle, volleyball, and swimming.
- UAF Rasmuson Library Alaska's largest library with over 1.2 million items including books, periodicals, archives, government documents, maps, and specialized Alaska and polar regions collections, with electronic access to millions of titles worldwide.
- UAF Nanook Recreation Campus recreation services including fitness facilities, intramural sports, outdoor adventures, climbing programs, pool, and ice arena access for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
- UA Museum of the North Research museum on UAF's West Ridge featuring exhibits on Alaska's biology, culture, and history, with collections including a bowhead whale skeleton, mummified bison (Blue Babe), Alaska Native art, and a planetarium addition opened in 2024.
Quantifiable outcome
- 355 major sounding rockets launched from Poker Flat Research Range over 56 years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Alaska Fairbanks
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
University of Alaska Fairbanks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
University of Alaska Fairbanks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NASAcoreNASA partnered with UAF to release a Sun-centered coloring book 'Journey Through the Heliosphere: The Sun-Earth System in Color' featuring 28 pages of science facts and coloring activities. The two-year collaborative project involved staff from NASA, Oregon State University, UAF International Arctic Research Center, and the Geophysical Institute, including solar terms translated into seven Alaska Indigenous languages.
- Merlin (autonomous flight technology company)coreMerlin completed 25 test flights in Alaska under a $1 million FAA contract in partnership with Everts Air Cargo and the UAF UAS Test Site, marking the first automated air cargo network in the US. Flights reached remote rural locations including Fort Yukon, Galena, Huslia, Tanana, and Prudhoe Bay, logging over 60 hours of autonomous flight time.
- Mitchell Hamline School of LawcoreMitchell Hamline School of Law signed a 3+3 partnership agreement with UAF allowing students to earn bachelor's and J.D. degrees in six years instead of seven. The program increases access to legal education in Alaska, the only U.S. state without a law school, leveraging Mitchell Hamline's blended-learning option.
- Sustainable Energy for Galena (SEGA) - Galena CommunityminorIn 2024, SEGA partnered with UAF to evaluate hydrokinetic power from the Yukon River. The community launched SEGA in 2014 in partnership with the City of Galena, Galena City School District, and Louden Tribal Council to address diesel fuel dependence.
- Windracers (British drone manufacturer)minorWindracers is conducting cold weather logistics testing with UAF as part of civilian programs advancing from combat-proven experience in Ukraine. The partnership involves Antarctic research with British Antarctic Survey and Arctic climate studies with Norwegian research organization NORCE.
- Everts Air CargominorPartnered with Merlin and UAF UAS Test Site for automated air cargo network testing flights to remote Alaskan communities.
- Colorado State UniversityminorComplementary effort under USDA NIFA grant programs. CSU received $250,000 to integrate livestock-focused education into high school and veterinary curricula, while UAF received a separate $250,000 grant to enhance livestock veterinary education in Alaska's remote communities.
- British Antarctic SurveyminorPartnership for Antarctic research using Windracers UAV platforms, part of broader climate research collaboration involving UAF's cold weather logistics testing.
- NORCE (Norwegian research organization)minorArctic climate studies partnership with Norwegian research organization for UAV-based environmental monitoring in cold weather environments.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights8 records
University of Alaska Fairbanks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University of Alaska Anchorage: Sister campus within the University of Alaska system serving Alaska's largest city, offering comparable associate-through-graduate programs. Shares the same state appropriation, UA Board of Regents governance, and Arctic-focused research mission, making it the closest direct peer.
- University of Alaska Southeast: Third campus in the University of Alaska system, based in Juneau. Operates in the same regulatory and funding environment as UAF and delivers overlapping online and place-based programs, including joint research with UAF on glacial flood monitoring.
- University of Tromsø (UiT The Arctic University of Norway): Norway's northernmost university and the leading European Arctic research institution. Comparable as a publicly funded research university that brands itself around Arctic expertise, climate science, and Indigenous Sami studies — directly competitive for international Arctic research talent and grants.
- University of Oulu: Finnish research university with explicit Arctic focus, northern Indigenous research, and cold-climate engineering. Direct international peer for Arctic and circumpolar research collaboration, including via the University of the Arctic consortium.
Regional players
- Alaska Pacific University: Small private university in Anchorage serving Alaska students with undergraduate and graduate programs, including outdoor studies and sustainability. Comparable Alaska-based higher-education provider but private rather than public and substantially smaller in scale.
Broad incumbents
- Oregon State University: Land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant R1 university with comparable marine, atmospheric, and Earth-system research programs. A peer in grant designation and research mix, though substantially larger in enrollment and federal funding scale.
- Colorado State University: Land-grant R1 university with strong atmospheric science, veterinary, and extension programs. Active USDA NIFA grant partner of UAF and a directly comparable land-grant peer for cooperative extension and applied research delivery.
- University of Saskatchewan: Canadian research university with significant cold-climate and Indigenous research programs (e.g., VIDO, cold-climate agriculture). Comparable in cold-region research scope and northern/Indigenous mission overlap, though operating under a different national funding regime.
- University of Wyoming: Mid-sized public research university in a small-energy-state with land-grant status. Comparable in enrollment scale, state-appropriation funding model, and rural-state positioning, though lacking Arctic specialization.
Others
- University of the Arctic: International circumpolar higher-education and research network in which UAF is a leading member. Not a direct competitor but a strategic consortium that channels collaboration, student mobility, and Arctic research funding to UAF and its peer institutions.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Alaska Fairbanks social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Alaska Fairbanks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
University of Alaska Fairbanks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Alaska Fairbanks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of Alaska Fairbanks
What does University of Alaska Fairbanks do?
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public research university offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates, delivered through on-campus instruction in Fairbanks and regional campuses, as well as online via UAF eCampus. The institution operates specialized research facilities including the Poker Flat Research Range and conducts research in Arctic, atmospheric, geophysical, and marine sciences. Supporting services include financial aid, health and counseling, library access, recreation, and intercollegiate athletics through the Alaska Nanooks program.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks a public or private company?
University of Alaska Fairbanks is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Alaska Fairbanks founded?
University of Alaska Fairbanks was founded in 1917. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is University of Alaska Fairbanks based?
University of Alaska Fairbanks is headquartered in Fairbanks, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of Alaska Fairbanks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are state Appropriation, federal Research Grants and private Donations and Endowments.
Who are University of Alaska Fairbanks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Tromsø (UiT The Arctic University of Norway) and University of Oulu. Alaska Pacific University is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Oregon State University, Colorado State University, University of Saskatchewan and University of Wyoming. University of the Arctic is listed as an others.
Does University of Alaska Fairbanks have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Alaska Fairbanks.
What industry is University of Alaska Fairbanks in?
University of Alaska Fairbanks's product category is Higher Education and Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAI, Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems, with a secondary code of EDAHAAAB, Land-Grant Public Research Universities. Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.