Psychology at University of Alaska Fairbanks

With just under 30 graduates in the sample, UAF's psychology program shows earnings that beat the national median by about $1,600 but fall short of Alaska's state median by nearly $2,000. The 40th percentile ranking within Alaska is worth noting—graduates from the University of Alaska Anchorage earn roughly $3,400 more annually. At $24,500 in median debt (slightly below the national median but above Alaska's typical $20,466), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 is manageable, though the flat earnings trajectory from year one to year four suggests limited early-career growth.

The real challenge here is context: Alaska's psychology market appears more robust than the national average, but UAF graduates aren't capturing that advantage as effectively as their in-state peers. For parents comparing options within Alaska, that $3,400 annual earnings gap compared to UAA compounds quickly. The small sample size means these numbers could shift considerably year to year, but the pattern suggests this program may not position graduates as competitively within Alaska's mental health and social services sector.

If your student is committed to staying in Fairbanks or values UAF's specific research opportunities, the debt level won't bury them. But families should understand they're likely accepting a financial tradeoff compared to other Alaska options, with earnings that may remain relatively static in those critical early career years.