University of Alaska Fairbanks Nursing Program: A Guide for Prospective Students (2026)
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks Community & Technical College, you can complete pre-nursing, earn an LPN certificate, and—through a formal partnership—complete the University of Alaska Anchorage BSN while studying and doing clinicals in Fairbanks. This guide explains how the partnership works, how competitive admission really is, and whether this path makes sense for your nursing career in 2026.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
In Fairbanks, the fastest route to a BSN is often through UAF Community & Technical College’s partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage. You can complete pre-nursing, apply to the competitive UAA BSN cohort hosted at UAF CTC, and train at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and community agencies, all while keeping your life rooted in interior Alaska. Along the way, UAF CTC’s LPN and pre-nursing certificates provide additional, stackable options into nursing.
Overview & Why Students Choose University of Alaska Fairbanks Community & Technical College
UAF Community & Technical College (CTC) is the home base for nursing education in Fairbanks, offering a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate, a Pre-Nursing Qualifications Certificate, and hosting the University of Alaska Anchorage Bachelor of Science in Nursing in cooperation with the UAA School of Nursing. The BSN degree itself is granted by UAA, but much of the coursework and clinical experience can be completed locally through UAF CTC.
If you are searching for Fairbanks, Alaska nursing schools, wondering how a UAA BSN partnership works in practice, or trying to decide between LPN, ADN/BSN, or later RN-to-BSN pathways, this guide focuses on the interior Alaska route that begins at UAF CTC and leads to RN licensure and beyond.
Nursing Programs Offered
According to UAF CTC, the college offers three key nursing-related options. Only details that appear in official UAF/UAA materials are summarized here.
UAA Bachelor of Science in Nursing (UAF CTC Fairbanks site)
The BSN degree is offered by the University of Alaska Anchorage in cooperation with UAF CTC. The Fairbanks site follows the UAA BSN curriculum: roughly three semesters of prerequisites followed by four semesters of nursing courses beginning in the fall. Students complete theory, lab, and clinical practice in facilities equipped like hospital and clinical settings.
Pre-Nursing Qualifications Certificate (BSN concentration)
This UAF CTC certificate is designed to guide students who plan to apply to the UAA BSN program. It bundles the prerequisite and co-requisite courses required to apply to the BSN plus a clinical course. UAF notes that the certificate helps students become highly qualified candidates but does not guarantee BSN admission.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
UAF CTC’s LPN certificate prepares students to provide effective nursing services in inpatient and structured outpatient settings. The curriculum mixes theory, skills, and clinical practice at hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and community agencies. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam.
- The BSN offered by UAA in cooperation with UAF CTC is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- The LPN program at UAF CTC earned initial ACEN accreditation effective January 30, 2024, with the next evaluation visit scheduled for Fall 2029.
UAF CTC offers local LPN and pre-nursing pathways; the BSN is conferred by UAA at the Fairbanks site. Verify LPN and BSN details, admission cycles, and which institution awards each credential on official nursing program page.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Unlike Alabama and some other states, the Alaska Board of Nursing does not publish a simple public school-by-school NCLEX pass-rate table on its main site. For this guide, primary school-level figures come from each institution’s official outcomes page (UAA Student Achievement Data or APU’s program dashboard). Use the Board’s NCLEX information page for Alaska licensure steps. For benchmarks, Alaska’s Board has cited an 80% NCLEX pass-rate expectation based on year-end NCSBN figures in its licensing advisory opinions (PDF). National context: NCSBN NCLEX Pass Rates and 2024 NCLEX Examination Statistics.
UAF CTC and UAA state that graduates of the UAA BSN program (including the Fairbanks site) are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, and graduates of the UAF CTC LPN certificate are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN.
According to the UAA School of Nursing Student Achievement Data page, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the BSN program are reported for all UAA BSN sites combined (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Mat-Su, Juneau, Kodiak). They are not broken out separately for Fairbanks on that page. The most recent figures posted there at the time of this review were:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BSN first-time NCLEX-RN (2024) | 89.19% (99/111 test takers), all sites combined |
| BSN first-time NCLEX-RN (2023) | 88.79% (103/116), all sites combined |
| BSN first-time NCLEX-RN (2022) | 89.3% (58/65), all sites combined |
| NCLEX-PN (UAF CTC LPN) | Not published on UAF CTC nursing pages reviewed for this guide |
| Alaska Board NCLEX benchmark | 80% pass-rate expectation based on year-end NCSBN figures (Board advisory opinions PDF) |
| Source | UAA School of Nursing — Student Achievement Data (BSN primary); Alaska Board of Nursing; Board NCLEX information; NCSBN pass rates |
For the most current NCLEX-PN outcomes for the UAF CTC LPN program, ask UAF-LPNprogram@alaska.edu and cross-check Alaska Board of Nursing materials. Do not assume BSN NCLEX-RN figures apply to the LPN pathway.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
If you are an international applicant or a nurse educated outside the United States, treat the items below as a checklist only—this is general guidance, not legal or licensure advice. Requirements change; verify everything with UAF CTC, UAA (for BSN), and the Alaska Board of Nursing.
- English proficiency: Confirm current TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements with UAF/UAA admissions and the nursing program.
- Credential evaluation: Ask whether transcripts or prior nursing credentials need evaluation (for example WES or CGFNS) before admission or NCLEX eligibility.
- Alaska licensure steps: The Board of Nursing sets NCLEX eligibility and endorsement rules for internationally educated nurses separately from school admission.
- Visa and clinical placement: Ask how your immigration status intersects with clinical rotations, background checks, and any work restrictions.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UAF CTC emphasizes that admission to the UAA BSN program is highly competitive. Completing the pre-nursing certificate and required prerequisites makes you more competitive, but it does not guarantee a BSN seat. The Fairbanks BSN cohort accepts 24 students each fall.
What you need for the BSN path (via UAF CTC)
- Complete BSN prerequisite and co-requisite coursework with grades of C or better. UAF CTC’s pre-nursing certificate with BSN concentration is built around this list.
- Take a pre-admission nursing exam (such as TEAS). UAF notes that UAA uses a ranking system that considers the extracted GPA, science GPA, and pre-admission exam scores.
- Apply to the UAA School of Nursing through the NursingCAS process and meet all UAA BSN site-specific requirements for Fairbanks.
- Understand that UAA’s BSN uses an extracted GPA and TEAS minimums (UAA currently lists a minimum overall TEAS of 58.7 and an extracted BSN prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in its BSN admission process), though UAF materials summarize this at a higher level.
Exact ranking formulas and acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed in official sources reviewed for this guide. Treat the BSN application as genuinely competitive.
Admissions competitiveness snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| BSN seats (Fairbanks cohort) | 24 students each fall |
| Selection method | Ranking system using extracted GPA, science GPA, and pre-admission nursing exam |
| Acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Typical GPA range | Not publicly disclosed |
UAF CTC’s own checklist encourages students to work closely with an advisor, keep grades high in prerequisite science courses, and treat the pre-admission exam seriously. Plan enough time to prepare for the exam, and if you’re aiming for the Fairbanks BSN cohort, talk directly with both a UAF CTC advisor and a UAA BSN advisor about how applicants are ranked in recent cycles.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UAF CTC and UAA publish detailed tuition and fee information in their official catalogs and tuition pages. Those tables are not reproduced in this guide. For that reason, program-specific annual cost figures (for the BSN partnership, LPN, or pre-nursing certificate) are not publicly disclosed on the school’s public pages reviewed for this guide.
Because your pathway may include UAF coursework (pre-nursing, LPN) and UAA tuition (for the BSN courses), it is important to review cost information from both institutions before committing to a plan. Start with UAF cost information and UAA costs & aid.
Beyond published tuition and mandatory fees, factor in books, uniforms, clinical requirements, transportation to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and other sites, and any reduced work hours once you start BSN clinical semesters. Use UAF and UAA cost-of-attendance tools and speak with financial-aid staff for a realistic view.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCLEX: See the NCLEX-RN pass rate section for UAA-reported BSN first-time pass rates (all sites combined). For LPN, confirm NCLEX-PN results with UAF CTC and the Alaska Board of Nursing.
Employment and placement: A specific placement or starting-salary percentage for UAF CTC or this partnership is not publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed for this guide. Ask UAF CTC and UAA for any school-reported employment outcomes by cohort and confirm methodology on official disclosures.
Is University of Alaska Fairbanks Community & Technical College the Right Fit for You?
This Fairbanks-based path can be a strong option if you want to stay in interior Alaska while progressing from pre-nursing to LPN or BSN. It may not be ideal if you prefer a single-campus experience with all coursework under one university or a fully online pre-licensure option.
Good fit for
- Students who want to live and study in Fairbanks while pursuing an LPN, pre-nursing certificate, or BSN.
- Those open to navigating a partnership structure where UAA awards the BSN and UAF CTC provides the local site and advising.
- Students interested in clinical experience at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and community health agencies in interior Alaska.
May not be ideal for
- Applicants who prefer a single-campus program with all degrees, from BSN through DNP, under one university’s umbrella.
- Students looking for a fully online pre-licensure nursing program (both BSN and LPN include in-person labs and clinicals).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
UAF CTC highlights that BSN students complete laboratory and practicum experiences at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and other community health agencies. LPN students also gain experience in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and community agencies, giving you exposure to the care settings common in interior Alaska.
Training in Fairbanks with clinical rotations at local hospitals and community sites helps you build skills and professional connections. When you speak with advisors, ask which units and agencies typically host BSN and LPN students; confirm any employment or placement figures on school disclosures and with employers you care about.
Student Experience & Campus Life
At UAF CTC, nursing and pre-nursing students study at the 604 Barnette Street campus, which houses classrooms and labs designed to mirror hospital and clinical environments. As a student, you are part of the broader UAF community, but your day-to-day experience is firmly focused on hands-on training, simulation, and clinical preparation rather than traditional residence-hall campus life.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Fairbanks, AK (UAF Community & Technical College, Allied Health)
- Address
- UAF Community & Technical College, 604 Barnette Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
- Telephone
- 907-455-2800
- Contact email
- UAF-CTC@alaska.edu
- Website
- www.ctc.uaf.edu/programs/nursing/
Official links
Your ‘Next 7 Days’ checklist
- Read the full overview of UAF CTC nursing and pre-nursing programs, paying special attention to how the UAA BSN is delivered in Fairbanks.
- Download the UAF CTC BSN pre-nursing checklist and compare it to your current coursework, noting which prerequisites and co-requisites you still need.
- Contact the Allied Health department at UAF CTC to schedule an advising appointment about the LPN program, pre-nursing certificate, and UAA BSN application timeline.
- Review UAA’s BSN admission process page to understand how TEAS, extracted GPA, and other factors are used in BSN selection.
- Plan when you will take the pre-admission exam (such as TEAS) and build a study schedule that allows time for focused preparation.
- Ask UAF CTC advisors which clinical sites they currently use for BSN and LPN rotations and how often employers hire graduates from those placements.
- Check both UAF and UAA financial-aid pages and your own budget to see how LPN, pre-nursing, and BSN paths align with your financial and timing constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Alaska Fairbanks grant a BSN in nursing?
The BSN degree is granted by the University of Alaska Anchorage, but it is offered in cooperation with UAF Community & Technical College. This means you can complete much of the BSN pathway in Fairbanks through UAF CTC while UAA awards the degree.
What does the UAF CTC pre-nursing certificate do for me?
The Pre-Nursing Qualifications Certificate with BSN concentration is designed to package the prerequisite and co-requisite coursework required for the UAA BSN. It helps you become a stronger BSN applicant but does not, by itself, guarantee admission.
Is there an LPN path at UAF?
Yes. UAF CTC offers an LPN certificate program. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and can work as licensed practical nurses in inpatient and structured outpatient settings.
How competitive is the BSN program in Fairbanks?
UAF CTC describes the UAA BSN as highly competitive, with a ranking system using extracted GPA, science GPA, and a pre-admission nursing exam. The Fairbanks cohort accepts 24 students each fall; a specific acceptance rate is not publicly disclosed.
Where do UAF/UAA nursing students do clinicals in Fairbanks?
Program materials note that students complete laboratories and practicum experiences at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and other community health agencies. To get an updated list of specific sites, ask UAF CTC directly.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for UAF CTC LPN and UAA BSN graduates in Fairbanks?
UAA publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the BSN program all sites combined on its Student Achievement Data page (for example, 2024: 89.19% with 99 of 111 first-time test takers passing). Fairbanks-only rates are not broken out there. NCLEX-PN rates for the UAF CTC LPN program were not on UAF CTC pages reviewed for this guide—ask the LPN program and confirm with the Alaska Board of Nursing.
Can I start at UAF CTC and later move to another BSN or RN-to-BSN program?
Many pre-nursing and general-education credits completed at UAF CTC can transfer within the University of Alaska system, but transfer and applicability to other institutions or programs vary. Always confirm with any future BSN or RN-to-BSN program how your UAF coursework will transfer before making long-term plans.
References
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UAF Community & Technical College · Nursing and Pre-Nursing Programs ctc.uaf.edu/programs/nursing/
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UAF Catalog · Pre-Nursing Qualifications Certificate catalog.uaf.edu/certificates/pre-nursing-qualifications/
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UAF Catalog · Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate catalog.uaf.edu/certificates/licensed-practical-nurse/
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UAA School of Nursing · Undergraduate Programs & BSN Admission uaa.alaska.edu/…/bs-admission-process
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UAA School of Nursing · Student Achievement Data (NCLEX-RN, BSN) uaa.alaska.edu/…/student-achievement-data
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Alaska Board of Nursing · Education & Licensure commerce.alaska.gov/…/BoardofNursing.aspx
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Figures marked “Not publicly disclosed” were not found in official school or board sources at the time of review. Confirm current data with the institution and the Alaska Board of Nursing.
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Miguel Romero, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides focused on licensure outcomes, admissions clarity, and career readiness for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with publicly available institutional and government data.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general reference and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice and does not guarantee admission, eligibility, or any particular outcome. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and relevant boards before making decisions.
Published: Mar 13, 2026 · Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026