Online RN to BSN Programs in Alaska: Top State-Approved Schools

Returning to school as an Alaska RN doesn’t have to disrupt your work-life balance. Online RN to BSN programs are designed with working nurses in mind, and you can take courses at your own pace. To learn more about these programs and how to get started, read our guide to the best online RN to BSN programs in Alaska.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Charmaine Robinson, RN, MSN

NursingNursing Ed.

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

Healthcare EducationOnline Learning

Updated: 10/08/2026

Jump To Section

Degree Details
FAQs
Salary & Pay

Jump ToSection:

Degree Details
FAQs
Salary & Pay

School Spotlights: Inside Online RN to BSN Programs in Alaska

Online RN to BSN programs are great for Alaska nurses who want to keep their jobs while they earn a degree. These programs build on your nursing knowledge and experience. Coursework is delivered mostly online. and a face-to-face clinical component at an approved healthcare site is often required.

To find the right school for you, compare these online RN to BSN programs and get an idea of timelines, course formats, cost, accreditation, and more.

University of Alaska Anchorage

The RN to BS in Nursing Science program at University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is designed for associate in nursing degree holders. The program is 120 credits in total, but you can transfer up to 42 credits if you’ve already passed the NCLEX and hold RN licensure.

Lecture courses are held online, and curriculum includes advanced nursing topics, such as:

Ethics
Nursing informatics
Evidence-based practice
Nursing research
Community nursing
Nursing leadership and management

In-person clinical hours are required, but may be completed in your home community with a local preceptor.

UAA’s program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Duration: 16-36 months

Mode: Online (with in-person clinical hours)

Cost: $7,852 to $11,778 per year for Alaska residents ($302 per credit) and $24,076 to $36,114 per year for non-Alaska residents ($926 per credit)

Admissions Requirements:

Active RN licensure in the state of Alaska
Associate degree in nursing
Highschool/GED and college transcripts
Meeting with an academic advisor

Alaska Pacific University

The RN to BSN program at Alaska Pacific University (APU) is designed to help you develop advanced clinical skills, including judgement, evidence-based practice, and leadership. Classes are offered in a synchronous, hybrid format over 15-week semesters with most offered online. You can apply in the Fall and Spring.

The program is 128 credits and curriculum includes general and nursing courses, such as:

Nursing Leadership
History and Culture of Alaska Natives
Healthcare Ethics
Healing Therapies
Healthcare Informatics
Critical Thinking

APU’s program is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing and accredited by the ACEN.

Duration: 3–4 years

Mode: Hybrid

Cost: $20,960 per year

Admissions Requirements:

2.5 GPA or higher
Official college transcripts
RN license

Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a nationally-operated online institution offering a range of nursing degrees to Alaska residents. WGU’S online RN to BSN program offers maximum flexibility to working nurses through its many benefits:

100% online classes with 35 clinical hours in a setting of your choice
Asynchronous learning – progress at your own pace
Competency-based learning – skip material you already know
Start in any month of the year and finish in as little as 12 months

You’ll learn about global and population health, information technology, leadership in healthcare, and more.

WGU’s program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Duration: 12 months

Mode: Online (with in-person clinical hours)

Cost: $5,325 per six-month term

Admissions Requirements:

Associate degree or diploma in nursing
RN license in state of residence/employment
Criminal background check

FAQs for Alaska RN to BSN Students

Are RN to BSN programs in Alaska available in a 100% online format?

Unfortunately, RN to BSN programs in Alaska are not 100% online. Though lecture classes may be entirely online, you still need to complete in-person clinical hours at a training site. You may have the option to complete the hours at your current workplace, and the number of hours required is often minimal.

For example, Western Governors University’s RN to BSN program only requires 35 clinical hours in a setting of your choice. This is almost the equivalent of three 12-hour shifts, or a single work week.

How affordable are online RN to BSN programs in Alaska?

Tuition for online RN to BSN programs in Alaska ranges from $7,852 to $36,114 per year, based on the schools in this guide. But these numbers can vary based on your program pace, the number of credits you need to graduate, or your state residency.

For example, University of Alaska Anchorage’s RN to BS program is $320 per credit for Alaska residents, but nonresidents pay $926 per credit.

Though program affordability is important, remember that financial aid is available to help bring down costs.

How long will it take me to finish my online RN to BSN program in Alaska?

Online RN to BSN programs in Alaska last about 1 to 3 years, but program length can vary based on many factors.

For example, enrolling in RN to BSN programs that do not require prerequisites can shorten the time it takes to finish.

Your enrollment status or ability to transfer credits can also make a difference. In University of Alaska Anchorage’s 120-credit RN to BS program, you can transfer up to 42 credits just for holding RN licensure. This means you finish quicker.

What are the typical admissions requirements for Alaska online RN to BSN programs?

Generally, online RN to BSN programs in Alaska require an associate degree in nursing and an RN license for admission, but each school is different. Western Governors University, for example, also requires a background check.

It’s also important to note that many institutions waive GPA requirements if you already have a college degree, but this isn’t always the case. For example, Alaska Pacific University’s RN to BSN program has a 2.5 GPA admission requirement.

Is it worth pursuing a BSN in Alaska if I already have my ADN?

Yes, pursuing a BSN in Alaska can be worth it. Employers prefer to hire nurses with BSNs over those with associate degrees. And if you plan to advance in your career, some nursing roles—such as nurse manager—generally require a BSN. Also, if you foresee graduate school in your future, you’ll finish a lot quicker if you start the program with a BSN.

Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN in Alaska

Registered Nurses

Area ↕︎	10th Percentile ↕︎	Median ↕︎	90th Percentile ↕︎
Alaska	$85,030	$109,480	$149,070
Anchorage, AK	$85,840	$115,290	$155,150

Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025

Data does not reflect school-specific information.

Online RN to BSN Programs in Alaska: Top State-Approved Schools

School Spotlights: Inside Online RN to BSN Programs in Alaska

University of Alaska Anchorage

Alaska Pacific University

Western Governors University

FAQs for Alaska RN to BSN Students

Are RN to BSN programs in Alaska available in a 100% online format?

How affordable are online RN to BSN programs in Alaska?

How long will it take me to finish my online RN to BSN program in Alaska?

What are the typical admissions requirements for Alaska online RN to BSN programs?

Is it worth pursuing a BSN in Alaska if I already have my ADN?

Salary & Career Comparison: RN vs. BSN in Alaska

Charmaine Robinson, RN, MSN AUTHOR

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR