Nursing Degree in Anchorage, AK — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Anchorage, AK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$82K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Anchorage
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Anchorage, AK Overview
Anchorage, Alaska (pop. 291,247) has 18 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,400/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Anchorage is approximately $82,280.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$8,100/yr
Private Tuition
$24,000/yr
Room & Board
$19,313/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,634/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
58%
Nursing Salary in Anchorage (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Anchorage's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Anchorage adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Anchorage
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Anchorage tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,100 | Private avg: $24,000
Anchorage avg aid: $15,634/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,652
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$39,930
vs HS diploma in Anchorage
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Anchorage
$737,348
Lifetime earnings premium ($847,000) minus total education cost ($109,652)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Anchorage
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Anchorage for Nursing
University of Alaska Anchorage
public
$8,100/yr
$32,400 total
Alaska Pacific University
private
$24,000/yr
$96,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
UAA Community Campus
$4,300/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Anchorage
Anchorage offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Anchorage Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Other Healthcare Majors in Anchorage
Pharmacy
$61K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$61K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$61K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$61K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$61K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Anchorage — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Anchorage.