21 Lesser-Known Schools That Quietly Produce Top Earners

18. University of Alaska Fairbanks – Fairbanks, AK

UAF may be remote, but it delivers powerful career outcomes, especially in fields related to natural resources, mining, engineering, and geophysics. The university’s strong ties to state agencies and research institutions provide students with hands-on experience in critical infrastructure and environmental research—areas that command high pay due to their complexity and location-based challenges. Graduates frequently enter high-demand industries like oil and gas, environmental consulting, and engineering. Median early-career salary: $72,900.