Alaska Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
The following guide to nursing schools in Alaska provides you with essential information on the undergraduate and graduate programs offered in the state. Alaska’s colleges and universities feature bachelor’s and master’s degree nursing programs with concentrations in family nurse practitioner, nursing education, and adult gerontology nurse practitioner. In addition to traditional programs in Alaska, students seeking a flexible alternative to earning a nursing degree may want to opt for an undergraduate or a graduate degree program in nursing that offers some or all coursework online.
Quick Facts
- 4 schools with nursing programs in Alaska are in our database (see below).
- 3 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 1 university offers bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 1 university offers master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- No schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
- No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
- No schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
- No schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Below you will find more information about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in Alaska and online.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Alaska
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Alaska nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Alaska Board of Nursing (https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/professionallicensing/boardofnursing.aspx).
| School | ADN or LVN Program | BSN Program | Graduate Nursing Program | ACEN/CCNE Accred.* | NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^ | # Taking | Net Price^^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska-Anchorage (ASN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 87.9% | N/A | $8,159 |
| University of Alaska-Anchorage (BSN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 87.6% | N/A | $8,159 |
| University of Alaska-Fairbanks | Yes | Yes | No | No | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $8,741 |
*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
**NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing for the fiscal year between October 2015 and September 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing for the fiscal year between October 2015 and September 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).
Schools in Alaska with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Alaska Anchorage offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing. Students can complete all requirements for the associate’s degree on the Anchorage campus, though some courses may be available in other communities. Admitted students typically begin by completing an Allied Health certificate as a pre-nursing qualification, which includes the prerequisite and corequisite courses for admission to the associate nursing program. Admission to the AAS in Nursing is competitive and completing the prerequisites does not guarantee admission. Students who are accepted complete courses such as Adult Nursing, Basic Nursing Pharmacology, and Pediatric Nursing. Graduates are conferred the AAS in Nursing from and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing Science for both pre-license students and registered nurses. The baccalaureate nursing program at UAA focuses on informed decision-making, promoting sensitive patient care and management, understanding different healthcare systems, and developing an individualized learning plan. The BS program takes 18 months for pre-license students to complete and 15 months for RN students. It is not recommended that students work more than 20 hours per week outside of the program and clinicals. Several courses in the RN to BSN program are offered online.
Master’s in Nursing Programs
University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska at Anchorage’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program features concentrations in family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and nursing educator. Graduate students may pursue the MSN on a full-time or a part-time basis, with the latter requiring between six and eight semesters. Full-time students begin the cohort program in the fall with a maximum of 12 applicants accepted each year. All graduate students must complete 18 credits of core coursework that focuses on research, biostatistics, health policy, roles for advanced practice nursing, and knowledge development for advanced practice nursing. Concentration requirements range from an additional 27 credits to 32 credits.
Student Reviews
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
University of Alaska Anchorage
3211 Providence Dr
Anchorage, AK 99508
(907) 786-1800
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu
Student Review: “The University of Alaska Anchorage nursing program was a wonderful experience for me. The curriculum was challenging, but I felt like a learned a great deal that I can apply to my career. The program featured excellent guest speakers from the local nursing community on Thursday evenings who provided insights into working in the field. A professor recommended that I join the nursing club and that helped me connect with potential employers. The clinicals were terrific and provided students with valuable hands-on experience. The one aspect of the program that I felt could be improved was the online courses, which had several issues like server downtime that made it difficult to learn the material and communicate with the faculty.”
– Student at University of Alaska Anchorage
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. University of Alaska-Anchorage: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-health/departments/school-of-nursing/