The Best Nursing Schools in Alaska
Alaska's nursing pipeline runs through the University of Alaska system. Three campuses cover everything from a prenursing certificate to the BSN.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Community & Technical College offers a prenursing certificate that builds foundational skills and prepares candidates to enter UAF's bachelor of science in nursing program. Candidates complete one clinical course, with options including nurse aide or personal care attendant training.
- Program(s): Prenursing Certificate
- Campus: Fairbanks, Alaska
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Alaska Board of Nursing
- Tuition: $234/credit
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED certificate
- Minimum Time Commitment: 37-42 credits required
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
The University of Alaska Anchorage serves students from across the state. Candidates study theory and clinical practice, gaining the skills to assess and deliver care for individuals and families. Common courses include nursing informatics, nursing research, and nursing leadership and management.
- Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Anchorage, Alaska
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $234-$282/credit
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma with minimum 3.0 GPA; Kira assessment; TEAS exam
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91%
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $72,101 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Based in Juneau, the University of Alaska Southeast offers a prenursing certificate covering lifespan development, nutrition, and anatomy. Graduates can continue into the bachelor of science in nursing program.
- Program(s): Prenursing certificate
- Campus: Juneau, Alaska
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Not indicated
- Tuition: $234/credit resident; $800/credit nonresident
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma with minimum 2.0 GPA or GED certificate
- Minimum Time Commitment: 38 credits required
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
How to Choose a Nursing Program in Alaska
Confirm the program is accredited first, then weigh tuition, program length, and financial aid against your goals. Check the program's NCLEX pass rates and graduation rates, which show how well it prepares students for licensure.
Why Become a Nurse in Alaska
Alaska pays among the top wages for RNs and APRNs, and it grants nurse practitioners full practice authority. NPs diagnose, treat, and prescribe without a supervising physician, a policy the state has held since 1994. Tuition at the University of Alaska also runs lower than at neighboring California and Washington schools, which helps offset the state's high cost of living.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Alaska
Registered nurses in Alaska average about $109,000 a year, well above the national median of $93,600 [BLS, May 2024]. Licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants also rank near the top nationally, and APRNs earn more still. Alaska's cost of living is among the highest in the country, so the strong pay mostly offsets higher living expenses rather than stretching further.
Demand is steady. Alaska's isolation makes nurses hard to recruit and retain, and the state has long projected shortages across both RN and APRN roles. The highest-paying RN jobs cluster in Anchorage, the largest population center; thinly populated regions to the north offer far fewer openings.
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Alaska
Becoming an RN or APRN in Alaska follows the same path as most states: graduate from a program approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing, then pass the national licensing exam. Alaska is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so nurses licensed elsewhere apply directly to the Alaska board rather than practicing on a multistate license.
RN Requirements
Graduate from an approved associate degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program and pass the NCLEX-RN. The licensure application carries a $100 application fee, a $200 licensing fee, and a $75 fingerprint processing fee.
RNs renew by November 30 of every even-numbered year. Each cycle requires 30 continuing education hours, 60 hours of professional activities, and 320 hours of employment in an official capacity.
APRN Requirements
APRNs need an unencumbered Alaska RN license plus a master of science in nursing or doctor of nursing practice. The application includes a $100 APRN licensure fee, a $100 prescriptive authority fee, a $100 controlled substance application fee, and a $100 temporary permit fee, each where applicable.
APRNs also renew by November 30 of even-numbered years and must complete 60 continuing education hours per cycle, including 15 hours in advanced pharmacology and clinical drug management for those with prescriptive authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a registered nurse in Alaska?
Graduate from an ADN or BSN program approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN. The application carries a $100 application fee, a $200 licensing fee, and a $75 fingerprint processing fee.
Is Alaska a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
No. Alaska is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a license from another state does not transfer automatically. Nurses licensed elsewhere apply directly to the Alaska board by endorsement rather than practicing on a multistate license.
What do nurses earn in Alaska?
Alaska RNs average about $109,000 a year, well above the national RN median of $93,600 (BLS, May 2024), placing the state among the highest payers in the country. Alaska's cost of living is also among the highest nationally, so the strong pay mostly offsets higher living expenses rather than stretching further.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska grants nurse practitioners full practice authority, a policy in place since 1994. NPs diagnose, treat, and prescribe without a supervising physician. The national NP median wage is $129,210 (BLS, May 2024), and APRNs in Alaska earn more still.
How often do Alaska nurses renew their license?
RNs renew by November 30 of every even-numbered year, with 30 continuing education hours, 60 hours of professional activities, and 320 hours of employment per cycle. APRNs renew on the same schedule with 60 continuing education hours, including 15 in advanced pharmacology for those who prescribe.
What continuing education do prescribing APRNs need?
APRNs with prescriptive authority complete 15 hours of advanced pharmacology and clinical drug management within their 60-hour continuing education requirement each renewal cycle.