Best Nursing Schools in Alaska

Alaska is one of the few places where nursing school can prepare you for both a busy Anchorage hospital and a rural community where weather, distance, and transportation shape care.

That makes program choice unusually important.

Alaska does not have dozens of RN programs to compare. The current Alaska Board of Nursing education page lists RN education options through University of Alaska Anchorage, Charter College, and Alaska Pacific University. UAF is important too, but its Fairbanks BSN is delivered by UAA in cooperation with UAF Community & Technical College, not as a separate Board-listed RN program.

This guide compares Alaska nursing schools by the factors that matter most before you apply: Board approval, accreditation, NCLEX outcomes, degree pathway, rural access, clinical placement, cost, scholarships, RN-to-BSN options, and Alaska licensure.

How we selected these Alaska nursing schools

This guide does not copy third-party rankings. It uses public, checkable signals that matter to Alaska nursing students.

We prioritized:

1. Alaska Board of Nursing approval
2. Current programmatic accreditation
3. Recent NCLEX first-time pass-rate data where publicly available
4. Degree pathway: AAS/ADN, BSN, RN-to-BSN, LPN-to-RN, graduate nursing
5. Statewide access and rural clinical relevance
6. Cost and scholarship opportunities
7. RN-to-BSN or graduate mobility
8. Fit for Alaska’s urban, rural, and remote healthcare realities

Official starting points:

• Alaska Board of Nursing education programs
• University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing student achievement data
• UAA School of Nursing accreditation
• Alaska Pacific University nursing
• Charter College accreditation and licensing
• ACEN accredited program search

Alaska nursing pathways at a glance

Alaska students usually compare three main RN routes.

AAS / ADN nursing

An Associate of Applied Science or Associate Degree in Nursing is usually the fastest route to RN licensure.

Best for:

• Students who want to become RNs sooner
• Students trying to lower upfront cost
• Working adults
• Students outside Anchorage who need a regional site
• Students planning RN-to-BSN later
• Students interested in rural, long-term care, clinic, or hospital nursing

Main caution: Some employers, leadership pathways, public health roles, and graduate programs may prefer or require BSN preparation. If you start with AAS/ADN, plan your RN-to-BSN early.

BSN nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the broadest prelicensure RN degree.

Best for:

• Students who want a four-year nursing degree
• Students aiming for hospital residencies, public health, leadership, military nursing, or graduate school
• Students who want stronger long-term mobility
• Students who want a smoother future path toward NP, CRNA, CNS, CNM, MSN, or DNP programs

Main caution: BSN admission can be competitive, and in Alaska, BSN access is centered mainly through UAA and cooperative delivery sites.

RN-to-BSN

RN-to-BSN is for licensed RNs who already completed an associate-level nursing program or diploma route.

Best for:

• ADN/AAS-prepared RNs
• Working nurses who want BSN mobility
• Nurses targeting leadership, public health, specialty roles, or graduate school
• Nurses who want to keep earning while finishing the bachelor’s degree

Alaska Board-approved RN education options

The Alaska Board of Nursing education page currently lists:

The same Board page also lists Alaska Pacific University for LPN education.

Best BSN nursing programs in Alaska

1. University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing

Location: Anchorage, with statewide delivery sites School type: Public university Program type: AAS in Nursing, BS in Nursing, RN-to-BS, MSN, graduate certificate, DNP Best for: Students who want Alaska’s main public nursing pathway with statewide access and the broadest program ladder

UAA is the central nursing education pipeline in Alaska. Its School of Nursing offers both AAS and BS pathways for students preparing for RN licensure, plus RN-to-BS and graduate options.

UAA says its undergraduate nursing programs are based in Anchorage but admit students in a growing number of communities across the state. The program-site list includes:

• Anchorage: BSN
• Fairbanks: BSN
• Juneau: BSN
• Matanuska-Susitna Borough: BSN
• Bethel: AAS
• Dillingham: AAS
• Homer: AAS
• Kenai: AAS
• Ketchikan: AAS
• Kodiak: AAS
• Kotzebue: AAS
• Nome: AAS
• Petersburg: AAS
• Sitka: AAS
• Valdez: AAS

Official program links:

• UAA School of Nursing
• UAA undergraduate nursing programs
• UAA student achievement data
• UAA School of Nursing accreditation

UAA NCLEX and completion outcomes

UAA’s posted student achievement table lists the following first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates:

UAA also lists 2024 undergraduate completion outcomes:

UAA accreditation

UAA states that its associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and graduate certificate nursing programs are ACEN-accredited through Spring 2033. It also states that the most recent ACEN decision for those programs is continuing accreditation. UAA’s DNP program is CCNE-accredited through June 30, 2032.

Why students choose UAA

• Alaska’s main statewide public nursing pathway
• AAS, BS, RN-to-BS, and graduate nursing ladder
• Multiple community sites
• Strong 2024 AAS NCLEX result
• Rural and community-health relevance
• ACEN accreditation for AAS/BS/graduate certificate pathways
• CCNE-accredited DNP
• Better fit for students who want Alaska-specific clinical preparation

Potential drawbacks

• BSN NCLEX pass rate was below UAA’s AAS result in 2024
• Admission is competitive
• Site availability can vary
• Rural students may still face travel, internet, housing, or clinical-site logistics
• Applicants should confirm current site openings before applying

2. UAF Community & Technical College: UAA BSN delivered in Fairbanks

Location: Fairbanks School type: Public university cooperative delivery site Program type: UAA BSN delivered in cooperation with UAF CTC Best for: Interior Alaska students who want BSN access without relocating to Anchorage

UAF CTC says the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing is offered by the University of Alaska Anchorage in cooperation with UAF Community & Technical College. The two schools work together to administer the program locally in Fairbanks.

This matters because students should not treat UAF as a separate NCLEX outcome line. It is a UAA BSN pathway delivered locally in cooperation with UAF.

Official program link:

• UAF CTC Nursing

Key UAF / UAA Fairbanks details

UAF CTC says the program includes three semesters of prerequisites followed by four semesters of nursing courses. It also says the Fairbanks cohort accepts 24 students each fall, and that the program is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN.

Why students choose it

• Fairbanks-based access to a BSN pathway
• UAA curriculum and credential
• Local labs and clinical experiences
• Interior Alaska fit
• Reduced need to relocate to Anchorage

Potential drawbacks

• Admission remains competitive
• Pre-nursing certificate does not guarantee admission
• Students should use UAA NCLEX outcomes for program-level pass-rate context
• Clinical placement and cohort seats are limited

Best AAS / ADN nursing programs in Alaska

1. University of Alaska Anchorage AAS in Nursing

Locations: Multiple Alaska sites School type: Public university Program type: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Best for: Students who want the strongest public associate-level RN pathway with statewide access

UAA’s AAS in Nursing is the main public associate-level RN route in Alaska. It is especially important for students outside Anchorage because UAA lists AAS sites in multiple communities, including Bethel, Dillingham, Homer, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Kotzebue, Nome, Petersburg, Sitka, and Valdez.

UAA’s AAS admission process is competitive. UAA says students must be admitted both to the university and to the School of Nursing through NursingCAS. It also says acceptance to UAA as a degree-seeking student does not guarantee selection into the nursing major.

Official links:

• UAA AAS admission process
• UAA AAS catalog page

Why students choose it

• Public associate-level RN route
• Strong 2024 NCLEX result: 93.75%
• Multiple regional sites
• ACEN accreditation through UAA
• RN-to-BS continuation option
• Strong fit for students who want to train closer to home

Potential drawbacks

• Site availability and cohort size vary
• Competitive admissions
• Rural students may still need travel for some experiences
• ADN/AAS graduates may need RN-to-BSN for long-term mobility

2. Alaska Pacific University Nursing

Location: Anchorage School type: Private nonprofit university Program type: LPN, ADN, RN-to-BSN; LPN-to-RN bridge development approved Best for: Students who want a private nonprofit nursing pathway in Anchorage with ADN and RN-to-BSN options

Alaska Pacific University is a newer and important Alaska nursing option. APU says the Alaska Board of Nursing issued full approval of its Practical Nursing, ADN, and RN-to-BSN programs for 2025. APU also says the Board approved development of an LPN-to-RN bridge program.

APU states that its LPN, ADN, and RN-to-BSN programs are accredited through ACEN.

Official program links:

• Alaska Pacific University nursing
• APU ADN catalog page

Why students choose it

• Private nonprofit Anchorage option
• ADN and RN-to-BSN ladder
• LPN pathway and LPN-to-RN bridge development
• ACEN accreditation stated by APU
• Board approval stated by APU for 2025
• Strong fit for students seeking another Anchorage pathway beyond UAA

Potential drawbacks

• Public NCLEX outcomes may be harder to compare than UAA’s published table
• Private tuition may be higher than public options
• Applicants should verify current Board approval year, NCLEX outcomes, program cost, clinical sites, and LPN-to-RN bridge status directly

3. Charter College Anchorage AAS in Nursing

Location: Anchorage School type: Private career college Program type: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Best for: Students who want a private Anchorage AAS nursing option and are comparing available seats, schedule, cost, and outcomes

Charter College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing at its Anchorage campus. Charter says the associate nursing program is ACEN-accredited with continuing accreditation, and that the program is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing.

Official program links:

• Charter College accreditation and licensing
• ACEN: Charter College associate accreditation profile

Why students compare it

• Additional Anchorage AAS route
• ACEN accreditation listed by Charter and ACEN
• Alaska Board approval listed by Charter
• May offer a schedule or start-date model that fits some students

Potential drawbacks

• Private career-college cost can be significant
• Transferability and RN-to-BSN planning should be checked before enrollment
• Ask for recent NCLEX outcomes, cohort size, completion rate, total cost, and employer outcomes
• Compare carefully against UAA and APU before committing

Alaska nursing salary and job outlook

Alaska RN wages are strong compared with the national median, but cost of living and location matter.

O*NET’s BLS-based 2024 wage page lists Alaska registered nurses at:

ONET also lists Anchorage at a $110,690 median annual wage and Fairbanks-College at $102,660*.

Nationally, the U.S. median RN wage is $93,600 and $45.00 per hour using the same BLS-based wage data.

Official sources:

• O*NET Alaska wages for registered nurses
• BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses

Alaska and the Nurse Licensure Compact

Alaska is not currently an active Nurse Licensure Compact state.

The Alaska Board of Nursing’s NLC page says that in the 2025-2026 legislative session, Governor Dunleavy introduced HB 131 and SB 124, two identical bills that would enact the Nurse Licensure Compact in Alaska. The page also notes that previous efforts in earlier legislative sessions did not pass.

Official sources:

• Alaska Board of Nursing: Nurse Licensure Compact
• Alaska Legislature SB 124
• Nurse Licensure Compact official site

Alaska RN licensure basics

To become licensed as an RN in Alaska, students generally need to:

1. Graduate from a Board-approved RN program.
2. Apply for Alaska RN licensure by examination.
3. Register for the NCLEX-RN.
4. Complete required application, fee, and background-check steps.
5. Pass the NCLEX-RN.
6. Receive Alaska RN licensure before practising as an RN.

Official source:

• Alaska Board of Nursing applications and forms

Scholarships and financial aid for Alaska nursing students

Alaska Performance Scholarship

The Alaska Performance Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for eligible Alaska high school graduates. ACPE says APS can award eligible students up to $28,000 total toward postsecondary education. The current APS award levels listed by ACPE are up to:

• Level 1: $7,000 per year
• Level 2: $5,250 per year
• Level 3: $3,500 per year

Official source:

• Alaska Performance Scholarship

Alaska Education Grant

The Alaska Education Grant is need-based. ACPE says AEG awards range from $500 to $4,000 per year for eligible Alaska residents attending eligible postsecondary programs.

Official source:

• Alaska Education Grant

Alaska Native and rural-health funding

Students should also check:

• Tribal health organization scholarships
• Alaska Native corporation scholarships
• ANTHC scholarship opportunities
• UAA RRANN resources
• Employer tuition assistance
• Hospital workforce-development programs
• HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs
• Indian Health Service scholarship and loan repayment opportunities
• Rural service scholarships and loan repayment programs

What makes nursing school in Alaska different?

1. Geography affects clinical learning

Clinical sites may be far apart. Weather can affect travel. Rural sites may require flexibility. Some communities are not connected by road.

Ask every program:

• Where are clinicals located?
• Can weather delay clinicals?
• Are rural rotations required or optional?
• Who pays for travel and housing?
• How often do students travel?
• What happens if flights are canceled?
• Are telehealth or community-health experiences included?

2. Rural nursing requires broader readiness

Alaska nurses may work in settings where backup is far away. That does not mean new graduates should practise beyond scope. It means students should value strong assessment, communication, escalation, cultural humility, and emergency-preparedness skills.

3. Cultural safety matters

Alaska healthcare includes Alaska Native communities, rural communities, military families, fishing communities, oil and resource-work populations, and urban Anchorage settings. Nurses need cultural humility, trauma-informed communication, and respect for local knowledge.

4. Career pathways can be unusually diverse

Alaska nurses may work in:

• Anchorage hospitals
• Fairbanks hospitals
• Tribal health systems
• Rural clinics
• Public health
• Community health
• Home health
• Long-term care
• Behavioral health
• Flight nursing and transport
• School nursing
• Occupational health
• Corrections
• Telehealth
• Military-connected care

How to choose the right Alaska nursing program

If you want the broadest statewide public option

Start with:

• University of Alaska Anchorage School of Nursing

Compare:

• AAS vs BS
• Site availability
• NCLEX trend
• Completion rates
• RN-to-BS pathway
• Clinical travel expectations
• Rural site opportunities

If you live in Interior Alaska

Compare:

• UAF CTC cooperative UAA BSN route
• UAA AAS site availability, if relevant
• Relocation to Anchorage or another site
• APU or Charter if Anchorage relocation is possible

If you want Anchorage-based private options

Compare:

• Alaska Pacific University ADN
• Charter College AAS
• UAA Anchorage BSN or AAS

Ask hard questions about:

• Total cost
• NCLEX results
• Transferability
• Accreditation status
• Board approval
• Clinical sites
• RN-to-BSN options
• Employer reputation

If you want the lowest-cost RN route

Start with:

• UAA AAS in Nursing
• APU ADN, if the cost and schedule fit
• Charter College only after comparing total cost and transfer options carefully

Then plan:

• RN-to-BSN
• Employer tuition reimbursement
• Rural or tribal health scholarships
• Loan repayment options

If you are already an RN

Compare:

• UAA RN-to-BS
• Alaska Pacific University RN-to-BSN
• Out-of-state online RN-to-BSN programs only after checking Alaska employer acceptance, accreditation, and licensure relevance

Alaska nursing school checklist

Before applying, verify:

• Alaska Board of Nursing approval
• Exact degree pathway
• Exact site or campus
• Programmatic accreditation
• NCLEX pass rates for the last three years
• Cohort size
• Completion rate
• Attrition rate
• Total cost
• Program fees
• Books, uniforms, testing packages, and supplies
• Clinical sites
• Rural or travel requirements
• Weather/travel contingency plans
• Simulation resources
• Faculty support
• Tutoring and remediation
• RN-to-BSN options
• Scholarship eligibility
• Employer reputation
• Licensure eligibility in Alaska and any other state where you may move

Questions to ask every Alaska nursing program

Approval and accreditation

• Are you currently approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing?
• Is the exact program accredited by ACEN, CCNE, or another recognized nursing accreditor?
• Is my site or campus included?
• Are there any warnings, conditions, or pending approval issues?

NCLEX and outcomes

• What were your first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the last three years?
• How many students tested each year?
• What is your completion rate?
• What percentage of admitted students finish the nursing sequence?
• What remediation is available?
• What changed if the NCLEX pass rate dipped?

Clinical placement

• Where do students complete clinicals?
• How far might I travel?
• Are rural rotations required?
• Who pays for travel and lodging?
• Are evening, weekend, or intensive clinical schedules required?
• What happens if weather cancels travel?
• Are clinical placements arranged by the school?

Cost and transfer

• What is the total cost, not just tuition?
• What fees are required?
• Are testing platforms, books, uniforms, supplies, immunizations, and background checks included?
• Can credits transfer into RN-to-BSN?
• Do local employers offer tuition help?
• Are rural or Alaska Native scholarships available for eligible students?

Frequently asked questions about nursing schools in Alaska

What is the best nursing school in Alaska?

University of Alaska Anchorage is the main statewide public nursing school and the strongest overall starting point because it offers AAS, BS, RN-to-BS, and graduate nursing pathways across Alaska. Alaska Pacific University and Charter College are additional Anchorage-based options to compare.

How many RN nursing schools are in Alaska?

The Alaska Board of Nursing education page currently lists RN pathways through University of Alaska Anchorage, Charter College, and Alaska Pacific University.

Is UAF a separate nursing school?

UAF Community & Technical College helps deliver the UAA BSN locally in Fairbanks. UAF CTC says the BSN is offered by UAA in cooperation with UAF CTC, and students should review UAA program outcomes and UAF local details.

What are UAA’s NCLEX pass rates?

UAA’s 2024 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates were 93.75% for the AAS in Nursing and 89.19% for the BS in Nursing.

Is UAA nursing accredited?

Yes. UAA states that its associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and graduate certificate nursing programs are ACEN-accredited through Spring 2033. Its DNP program is CCNE-accredited through June 30, 2032.

Is Alaska Pacific University nursing approved?

APU states that the Alaska Board of Nursing issued full approval of its Practical Nursing, ADN, and RN-to-BSN programs for 2025, and that its LPN, ADN, and RN-to-BSN programs are accredited through ACEN.

Is Charter College nursing approved in Alaska?

Charter College states that its Anchorage AAS nursing program is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing and ACEN-accredited with continuing accreditation.

Does Alaska have ADN programs?

Yes. Alaska has associate-level RN options, including UAA’s AAS in Nursing, Alaska Pacific University’s ADN, and Charter College’s AAS in Nursing.

Does Alaska have BSN programs?

Yes. The main prelicensure BSN route is through UAA, with site delivery that includes Anchorage and other Alaska communities such as Fairbanks through UAF cooperation.

Is Alaska part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?

Not currently. The Alaska Board of Nursing says HB 131 and SB 124 were introduced during the 2025-2026 legislative session to enact the Nurse Licensure Compact in Alaska, but students should verify current status before relying on compact privileges.

How much do registered nurses make in Alaska?

O*NET’s BLS-based wage page lists Alaska registered nurses at a median annual wage of $110,690 and a median hourly wage of $53.22 using 2024 wage data.

Are there scholarships for Alaska nursing students?

Yes. Start with the Alaska Performance Scholarship, Alaska Education Grant, university scholarships, Alaska Native corporation scholarships if eligible, tribal health scholarships, employer tuition benefits, and federal programs such as Nurse Corps or Indian Health Service funding.

Should I choose AAS/ADN or BSN in Alaska?

Choose AAS/ADN if cost, speed, or local access matter most and you have a clear RN-to-BSN plan. Choose BSN if you want broader long-term mobility for hospitals, public health, leadership, military nursing, or graduate school.

What should I verify before applying?

Verify Alaska Board approval, accreditation, NCLEX outcomes, cohort size, site availability, clinical travel requirements, total cost, completion rate, RN-to-BSN options, and licensure eligibility.

Final thoughts

Alaska has a small nursing-school market, but each option serves a different kind of student.

UAA is the main statewide public pathway and the best first stop for most applicants. UAF CTC gives Interior students a local route into the UAA BSN. APU adds a private nonprofit ADN/RN-to-BSN ladder in Anchorage. Charter College offers another Anchorage AAS option that should be compared carefully on cost, outcomes, and transferability.

The best Alaska nursing school is the one that fits your location, budget, support needs, clinical goals, and long-term career plan — whether that future is an Anchorage hospital, a Fairbanks unit, a coastal community, a tribal health setting, or a rural clinic reached by plane.