Nursing Schools in Alaska (2026)
8 accredited nursing programs found
Alaska has 8 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with an even split of 4 public and 4 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $10,983, with public schools averaging $7,106 and private schools averaging $16,151. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $7,566 to $9,014 — among the narrowest tuition ranges in the directory. The cheapest tracked program is Iḷisaġvik College at $5,260 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is the University of Alaska Anchorage at approximately 6,916.
Across Alaska programs the average graduation rate is 38.6 percent — among the lower state averages — and the average retention rate is 66.5 percent. Median post-graduation earnings average $44,008 and median federal debt at graduation averages $17,444. The state's healthcare employer base is anchored by Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the Bartlett and Mat-Su regional networks; rural and frontier placements are a substantial feature of the employment market.
Registered Nurse Market in Alaska
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in Alaska
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the Alaska average of $10,983.
Matches the Alaska average of 38.6%.
Matches the Alaska median of $44,008.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $7,107 |
| Lowest Tuition | $5,260 |
| Highest Tuition | $20,760 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $16,151 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 38.5% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $42,348 |
| Avg Student Debt | $17,444 |
| Total Enrollment | 15,030 |
All Nursing Schools in Alaska
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alaska Anchorage | Anchorage | Public | $7,566 | 6,916 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Fairbanks | Public | $8,640 | 4,027 |
| Charter College | Anchorage | For-Profit | $18,678 | 2,277 |
| University of Alaska Southeast | Juneau | Public | $6,960 | 920 |
| Alaska Pacific University | Anchorage | Private | $20,760 | 400 |
| Alaska Career College | Anchorage | For-Profit | N/A | 255 |
| Ilisagvik College | Barrow | Public | $5,260 | 175 |
| Alaska Christian College | Soldotna | Private | $9,014 | 60 |
Nursing Schools by City in Alaska
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Alaska Nursing Market Context
BLS data for Alaska shows an RN median annual wage of $100,370 and a mean of $100,260 — among the highest in the country. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $75,170 to $123,780. Statewide RN employment is approximately 6,780 and the projected growth rate is 6 percent — in line with the national figure.
Median program debt of $17,444 against a $100,370 RN median wage produces an unusually favorable payback profile. The 10th-percentile figure of $75,170 substantially exceeds the national RN median, meaning even early-career Alaska RNs typically earn well above the typical national wage. Cost of living, particularly outside Anchorage, is high and offsets some of the wage advantage, but rural-placement bonuses, the Indian Health Service network, and the state's permanent fund contribute to a distinct employment economics that does not exist elsewhere in the country.