Nursing in Alaska
Alaska has 4 nursing schools running 7 board-approved programs, and the median RN program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate was 76.5%. Registered nurses here earn a median of $109,480; nurse practitioners, $155,170. Alaska is not a compact state. Every figure below names its source and the period it covers.
Nursing Schools in Alaska
6 of Alaska’s 7 programs have a published 2025 first-time pass rate. RN programs averaged 78% — 8.5 points below the 86.5% national average. Practical nursing programs averaged 78%.
| Degree | Programs | Median pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Associate (ADN) | 2 | 74% |
| Bachelor’s (BSN) | 2 | 82% |
Both degrees lead to the same RN license. ADN vs BSN, compared nationally →
Highest first-time pass rates (2025)
In-state RN programs. Ties go to the program with more nursing graduates. A single year’s rate swings widely for small programs; check the trend before you choose.
- Alaska Pacific UniversityRN (ADN & RN to BSN)86%
- University of Alaska Anchorage School of NursingAnchorage · RN (BS)78%
- Charter CollegeRN (AAS)75%
- University of Alaska Anchorage School of NursingAnchorage · RN (AAS)73%
What Nurses Earn in Alaska
Federal wage survey data (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. The RN median in Alaska is $11,930 above the $97,550 national median; the NP median is $22,870 above the $132,300 national NP median.
| Alaska | Registered nurse | Nurse practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $109,480 | $155,170 |
| Median hourly | $52.64 | $74.60 |
| Starting range (10th pct.) | $85,030 | $95,570 |
| Top earners (90th pct.) | $149,070 | $207,490 |
| Employed in state | 7,510 | 710 |
Licensing in Alaska
Alaska is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Alaska license covers Alaska only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Alaska license to practice here (licensure by endorsement).
Either way the license starts the same: graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Fees, processing times, and continuing-education rules are set by the Alaska board of nursing and change — confirm them with the board directly. The board documents these pass rates came from: live page captured 2026-07-12 (rates: Jan 2026 board book; CY2025) (1), 2025-11-06 (board minutes) (2).
Sources
- First-time NCLEX pass rates by programEach state board of nursing — the exact board documents are linked on every state page · Data: 2025 first-time test takers · Checked
- Program cost, completion, and graduate earningsU.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Checked
- Registered nurse wages and employment (SOC 29-1141)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse practitioner wages and employment (SOC 29-1171)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse Licensure Compact member states and implementation datesNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in Alaska?
Alaska has 4 nursing schools running 7 board-approved programs — 4 RN programs and 3 practical nursing programs (state board of nursing list, 2025 pass-rate year).
What is the NCLEX pass rate in Alaska?
The median Alaska RN program's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 76.5%, and the average across programs was 78% — 8.5 points below the 86.5% national average (2025 first-time test takers, from the state board of nursing).
How much do nurses make in Alaska?
Registered nurses in Alaska earn a median of $109,480 a year ($52.64 an hour), $11,930 above the national RN median. Nurse practitioners earn a median of $155,170 (BLS, May 2025).
Is Alaska a compact nursing state?
Alaska is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Alaska license covers Alaska only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Alaska license to practice here (licensure by endorsement). Source: NCSBN compact map, checked September 17, 2026.
Nursing in other states
Keep going
- Degree pathwayADN vs BSNBoth degrees lead to the same RN license. Here is how associate and bachelor’s programs actually compare on NCLEX pass rates, graduate debt, and earnings.
- GuideADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Program Should You Choose?Compare ADN and prelicensure BSN pathways by time, total cost, admission, clinical logistics, employer expectations, and bridge options—not prestige alone.
- FinderCheapest RN programs in the U.S.The lowest-cost RN programs nationally, with their NCLEX pass rates alongside.
- FinderCompare nursing schoolsPut any nursing programs side by side on pass rate, cost, and outcomes.
- GuideHow Competitive Is Nursing School Admission?Estimate nursing-school competitiveness using seats, qualified applicants, point rubrics, recent cutoffs, attrition, and the parts of your application you can still change.
- Degree pathwayLPN to RNThe pay difference between a practical nurse and a registered nurse, and how practical-nursing and RN programs compare on pass rates, debt, and graduate earnings.