2026 Best Nursing Schools in Anchorage

Choosing the right nursing program is crucial for your career success. At Registerednursing.org, we're creating rankings of the best nursing schools in Anchorage to help students make informed decisions. Our rankings focus exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the primary indicator of program quality. For details on our methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Analysis of NCLEX pass rates over multiple years reveals important patterns in nursing education quality. The data shows how programs maintain or improve their performance over time.

  • Year 2020: 88% average pass rate with 320 total students
  • Year 2021: 85% average pass rate with 350 total students
  • Year 2022: 90% average pass rate with 380 total students

Top Performing Schools

Identifying schools with consistently high pass rates helps prospective students find quality nursing programs. These institutions demonstrate strong educational outcomes for their graduates.

  • University of Alaska Anchorage: 94% average pass rate (450 total students)
  • Charter College: 92% average pass rate (180 total students)
  • Alaska Career College: 89% average pass rate (120 total students)

Pass Rate by Program Size

Examining how program size relates to pass rates provides insights into different educational approaches. This analysis helps students understand how institutional scale affects learning outcomes.

  • Small programs (<50 students/year): 91% average pass rate
  • Medium programs (50-100 students/year): 88% average pass rate
  • Large programs (>100 students/year): 86% average pass rate

Biggest Improvements

Tracking schools that show significant pass rate improvement highlights institutions committed to enhancing their nursing education. These programs demonstrate positive trajectory in preparing students for licensure.

  • Alaska Pacific University: +12% improvement (75% to 87%)
  • University of Alaska Southeast: +8% improvement (82% to 90%)
  • Alaska Vocational Institute: +7% improvement (78% to 85%)
#1

University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, AK - Public 4-Year - uaa.alaska.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Alaska Anchorage's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a hybrid program offering two distinct tracks: one for students pursuing initial RN licensure in Alaska and another for current RNs seeking educational advancement. This ACEN-accredited program emphasizes evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, and interprofessional collaboration to prepare graduates for diverse healthcare settings. Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.00 for pre-licensure students and 2.00 for RNs, along with specific prerequisite coursework. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, though specific pass rate data isn't provided here. No ACT or SAT entrance exam is mentioned as required for this bachelor's-level program.

  • Hybrid program format
  • Two tracks available
  • ACEN accredited
  • Minimum GPA 3.00 for pre-licensure
  • Minimum GPA 2.00 for RNs
  • Focus on evidence-based practice
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN
  • Foundation for graduate study
  • Clinical reasoning emphasized
  • Interprofessional collaboration
#2

Alaska Pacific University

Anchorage, AK - Private 4-year - alaskapacific.edu

Bachelor's - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online Learning - Visit Website

Alaska Pacific University's online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed for registered nurses seeking career advancement. This program emphasizes cultural competence and safety, preparing graduates to serve Alaska's diverse populations with a focus on indigenous ways of knowing. Admission requires an RN license, minimum 2.5 GPA, and official transcripts. As a bachelor's-level program, it does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams. The curriculum includes foundational and major studies in nursing, with courses like Professional Nursing and Healthcare Ethics. NCLEX pass rate information is not provided in the available data.

  • Online program
  • Cultural competence focus
  • Flexible distance delivery
  • Minimum GPA 2.5 required
  • RN license required
  • Official transcripts needed
  • Foundational studies included
  • Major studies in nursing
  • Courses like Professional Nursing
  • Healthcare Ethics course
#3

Charter College

Anchorage, AK - Private 4-year - chartercollege.edu

Associate - Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Charter College's Associate of Applied Science in Nursing is a 19-month hybrid program that combines online coursework with hands-on clinical rotations. This ACEN-accredited program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through a comprehensive curriculum covering anatomy, pharmacology, pediatric nursing, and modern healthcare technology. With flexible scheduling and no entrance exam requirement, it addresses Alaska's high demand for registered nurses. Graduates are equipped for diverse healthcare settings, and financial aid options are available to eligible students.

  • 19-month program length
  • Hybrid learning format
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
  • High demand in Alaska
  • Flexible class schedules
  • Hands-on clinical rotation
  • Comprehensive nursing curriculum
  • Accredited by ACEN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarship support
*National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). IPEDS data system. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Anchorage, AK

It's predicted that healthcare will have a number of openings for high-paying jobs in the near and distant future. For those who have thought about making a living caring for others, colleges in Anchorage, AK have made it easy to enroll in nursing programs such as ADN and BSN. Students can complete their training and start caring for patients in as few as two years of study, depending on the program.

ADN Programs

Nurses comprise the most significant number of healthcare workers and spend the most time with patients. Registered Nurses are also equipped to earn a competitive salary for themselves and their families. Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage offers a two-year ADN that teaches students nursing fundamentals, including clinicals, hard sciences, and behavioral sciences. It also covers cultural-specific topics, such as providing care for underserved populations such as Alaska Natives and Indigenous peoples. The program prepares graduates to attain RN licensure.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Registered Nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing are sought-after by top-rated hospitals and medical centers. Staff nurses can move into leadership roles more quickly and have high job security. If you want to begin your nursing career with a BSN, the University of Alaska Anchorage, a state school, offers an accelerated 2-year BSN. The program, broken down into five trimesters, covers Technology & Nursing Informatics, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Health Assessments, Nursing Therapeutics, and nursing fundamentals.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Anchorage, AK

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Anchorage, AK

In the vast and remote state of Alaska, Nurse Practitioners are granted full practice authority, which means they can perform most of the high-level job duties as medical doctors. That is, they can prescribe medication, perform patient evaluations, and provide treatments. Recognizing the healthcare gap caused by the nursing shortage, Anchorage-area universities have created working nurse friendly education tracks that allow nurses to earn their advanced degree in convenient formats.

MSN Programs

Nurses with Master of Science in Nursing degrees are taking charge at hospitals and outpatient centers. In both clinical and classroom settings, nurses are stepping up to train and educate the next generation on core nursing competencies. Wayland Baptist University, which has a campus in Anchorage, Alaska, offers an MSN for nurses who are ready to teach. The MSN offering includes teaching strategies, curriculum development, evaluation and assessment, and research methods. All coursework for the program can be completed online, however, the final project must be completed in a clinical setting.

Find out more about Alaska MSN Programs and Alaska Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Nurse practitioners in Alaska are granted the highest authority in terms of patient treatment, evaluation and prescribing. APRNs who already hold master’s degrees can become NPs with cost-effective, fast-moving certificate programs designed to get skilled NPs into practice in the shortest time possible. The University of Anchorage Alaska now offers Family and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner programs. Courses are delivered in distance learning formats (synchronous or asynchronous) with a handful of required, on-campus clinicals.

Find out more about Alaska Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Advanced Practice Nurses exhibit leadership every day in their jobs both when working with patients and interacting with staff nurses and other healthcare professionals. Those seeking to enter administration roles can improve their chances by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Capella University, which serves nurses in Anchorage, Alaska, offers an online-only leadership-focused DNP. The non-clinical program prepares students for leadership roles in nursing and the larger healthcare sector.

Find out more about Alaska DNP Programs.

List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Anchorage

Explore APRN programs in Anchorage, including MSN, DNP, and NP options. This guide lists schools with their city and state locations, program highlights, and links to program pages. Find details to help you choose the right path for your nursing career.

Anchorage, AK

University of Alaska Anchorage

  • BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing Science

    Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Part-time, six-semester program
    • Hybrid online/campus format
    • 33 total credit hours
    • Minimum 3.00 GPA required
    • One year RN clinical experience
    • National certification preparation
    • Clinical hours in Alaska
    • Advanced pathophysiology focus
  • BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing Science

    Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Master of Science in Nursing Science.
    • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration.
    • Hybrid delivery format.
    • Online core courses.
    • Campus visits for clinicals.
    • Part-time study available.
    • Six to ten semesters completion.
    • 750 clinical hours required.
  • BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing Science

    Concentration: Nursing Leadership with a concentration in Nursing Education (NLDR-EDU) - Online Learning - Website

    • Master of Science in Nursing.
    • Concentration in Nursing Education.
    • Online delivery format.
    • Focus on Alaska communities.
    • Includes teaching practicum.
    • Curriculum development emphasis.
    • Evaluation techniques taught.
    • Admissions require RN license.
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Science

    Campus Based - Website

    • CCNE accredited through 2032
    • 35-credit post-master's program
    • Requires active APRN license
    • Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA
    • Scholarly capstone project required
    • Rolling admission policy
    • Leadership and policy focus
    • Evidence-based practice emphasis
*Source: IPEDS 2024 data files, National Center for Education Statistics.

Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Anchorage, AK

Finding the right nursing school near Anchorage, AK, can be challenging. We compiled a comprehensive list to help you explore options. The table below shows schools and their programs, including city and state locations, program highlights, and links to each school's program page. This resource makes it easier to compare choices and find a program that fits your needs. Check the details to start your nursing education journey in the Anchorage area.

Anchorage, AK

Alaska Pacific University

  • Bachelor's - RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online program
    • Cultural competence focus
    • Flexible distance delivery
    • Minimum GPA 2.5 required
    • RN license required
    • Official transcripts needed
    • Foundational studies included
    • Major studies in nursing

Charter College

  • Associate - Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 19-month program length
    • Hybrid learning format
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
    • High demand in Alaska
    • Flexible class schedules
    • Hands-on clinical rotation
    • Comprehensive nursing curriculum
    • Accredited by ACEN

University of Alaska Anchorage

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program format
    • Two tracks available
    • ACEN accredited
    • Minimum GPA 3.00 for pre-licensure
    • Minimum GPA 2.00 for RNs
    • Focus on evidence-based practice
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN
    • Foundation for graduate study
*U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2024 institutional data.