No matter what state you live in, if you’re interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse, there is almost certainly at least one highly-ranked LPN program available at a school near you. But deciding which program meets your needs can be overwhelming and time-consuming. However, you don’t need to spend hours searching the internet and researching various programs, as we’ve put together this useful and informative list of some of the top LPN programs in the U.S. as ranked by NCLEX-PN pass rates and tuition costs. Read on to find out more about each of these programs and schools and to decide if any of them is the right one for you.
The Top Online LPN/LVN Programs by State
California
State Rank: 1
Riverside City College: Undergraduate Certificate in Vocational Nursing
Riverside City College’s Undergraduate Certificate in Vocational Nursing is not only the highest-ranking LPN program in California; it’s also one of the higest-ranking LPN programs in the nation. Admission to the program is selective and there is no waiting list, which means that applicants who are not admitted must complete the entire application process again the following Fall semester if they want to re-apply. Additionally, the program has multiple prerequisite requirements and a rigorous curriculum. All this hard work is a worthwhile investment, though, as Riverside provides a top-tier nursing education experience that is reasonably priced and can be completed in only a year.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 99.32%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 12 months for full-time students to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Program admission is competitive and the program does not maintain a wait list. Prospective nursing students must be admitted to the college, must have a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0, must complete prerequisite courses in Anatomy, Physiology, and Psychology, and must have completed a California Certified Nursing Assistant program and have obtained a CNA license.
- Tuition: The total program tuition cost for full-time students is $2,382.
- Accreditation: The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
State Rank: 2
Santa Barbara City College: Certificate of Achievement in Vocational Nursing
Santa Barbara City College’s Certificate of Achievement in Vocational Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate and relatively low tuition rates, particularly for in-state students. The program’s curriculum is thorough and challenging, and includes both theory and laboratory practice/experience on campus and clinical experience at various local hospitals.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 98.55%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes three semesters of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Program applicants must be admitted to the college, must take and pass an English assessment test, must have successfully completed prerequisite courses in Communication, Anatomy, and Physiology, and must have completed a California Certified Nursing Assistant program and have obtained a CNA license.
- Tuition: The total program cost for full-time students is $3,000.
- Accreditation: The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
- In addition: LVN to RN students are admitted to the ADN Program once a year. (LPN to ADN programs)
State Rank: 3
College of the Siskiyous: Vocational Nursing Certificate
College of the Siskiyous’s Vocational Nursing Certificate has a consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate. Its curriculum is rigorous and impressive, and it takes only three semesters to complete. Additionally, it offers one of the lowest tuition costs of any program on this list.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 97.54%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program can be completed in three semesters of full-time study.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must be admitted to the college, must take and pass Math and English assessment tests, must have successfully completed prerequisite courses in Anatomy, Nutrition, and Medical Terminology, must possess a valid CPR card, and must submit all relevant academic transcripts.
- Tuition: For full-time students, the program’s total tuition cost is $2,300.
- Accreditation: The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
State Rank: 4
Gavilian Community College: Certificate of Achievement in Licensed Vocational Nursing
Gavilian Community College’s Certificate of Achievement in Licensed Vocational Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission is competitive and the curriculum is thorough and rigorous. Additionally, the program is offered on three different campuses and selected courses are also available online, making this program an ideal choice for students looking for a flexible program that accommodates a variety of schedules.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 97.37%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program requires 95 credit hours to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, must submit all college transcripts (if applicable), must take a program-specific College Placement Test, must complete various prerequisite courses, must submit three recommendation forms from professional references, must possess a valid American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers CPR card, and must have completed a California Certified Nursing Assistant program and have obtained a CNA license
- Tuition: Total program tuition cost is $4,370 for full-time students who are California residents.
- Accreditation: The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
State Rank: 5
North Orange County Regional Occupational Program: Vocational Nursing Certificate
North Orange County Regional Occupational Program’s Vocational Nursing Certificate is a quality program with a consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate. Additionally, because it is funded by the local public school system, the program is free to attend.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 94.92%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 13 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: The program is open to both high school students and adult students. Adult students are admitted based on a point-based application rubric that ranks applicants based on their professional experience, possession of relevant health-related certifications, completion of various prerequisite courses, and their scores on program admission tests.
- Tuition: Because the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program is funded by the North Orange County public school system, most of its programs, including the Nursing Program, are free to attend.
- Accreditation: The Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT)
Florida
State Rank: 1
Fort Myers Technical College: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
Fort Myers Technical College’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has an impressive and consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate, can be completed in only one year, and is reasonably priced for a high-ranking program.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 98%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes approximately one year of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Admission is competitive. Applicants are evaluated based on their score on the school’s Selection Criteria Matrix. Additionally, prospective students must score at the 11th grade level or higher on the TABE assessment, must complete a Medical Math course, must have a high-school diploma, and must submit all college transcripts (if applicable).
- Tuition: The total program tuition for full-time students who are Florida residents is $4,676.
- Accreditation: The Florida State Board of Nursing
State Rank: 2
Technical Education Center Osceola: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
Technical Education Center Osceola’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has a high NCLEX-PN pass rate and a strong curriculum. For most students, though, its most appealing quality is likely its short duration: it can be completed in under one year.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.77%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 45 weeks of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must score at the 12th grade level in Reading, Math, and Language on the TABE assessment, must take and pass the HESI test, must have a high school diploma, must submit three letters of recommendation from professional references, and must have a valid Florida driver’s license.
- Tuition: For full-time students who are Florida residents, the total program tuition is $5,055.
- Accreditation: The Florida State Board of Nursing
State Rank: 3
Withlacoochee Technical College: Certificate in Practical Nursing
Withlacoochee Technical College’s Certificate in Practical Nursing has a high NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission is competitive and the program has multiple prerequisite requirements, including examinations and assessments. The program’s curriculum is thorough and varied and can be completed in only 11 months.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.59%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 11 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must take and pass the National League of Nursing Exam, must score at the 11th grade level or higher on the TABE assessment, and must have a high school diploma.
- Tuition: Total program tuition for full-time students who are Florida residents is $3.752.
- Accreditation: The Florida State Board of Nursing
State Rank: 4
Palm Beach State College: Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate in Practical Nursing
Palm Beach State College’s Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate in Practical Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate. Program tuition is extremely affordable, and the certificate takes only a year to complete.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95.50%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 12 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, and must take and pass the HESI A2 pre-admission exam. The program has no course pre-requisites.
- Tuition: For full-time students who are Florida residents, the total program tuition is $2,948.
- Accreditation: The Florida Board of Nursing
State Rank: 5
Daytona State College: Vocational Certificate in Practical Nursing
Daytona State College’s Vocational Certificate in Practical Nursing has a consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission is selective and competitive, and includes various prerequisite exams and courses. Program tuition is relatively inexpensive and the certificate can be completed in only three semesters.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95.17%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes three semesters of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Admission is competitive. Prospective students must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, must submit official copies of all academic transcripts, must take and pass the TABE assessment or submit valid ACT scores, and must take and pass the TEAS V exam, and must complete various prerequisite courses in math and science.
- Tuition: The total program tuition is $4,154 for full-time students who are Florida residents.
- Accreditation: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Florida Board of Nursing
Illinois
State Rank: 1
Shawnee Community College: Certificate in Practical Nursing
Shawnee Community College’s Certificate in Practical Nursing has the most consistently impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate on this list: 100% for the past eight years. In addition to ranking highest among Illinois LPN programs, SCC’s program is also one of the best in the country. Admission is selective and requires successful completion of various prerequisite courses and examinations. The program can be completed in only one year and tuition is reasonable, particularly for students who live in the school district.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 12 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, must take the ASSET/COMPASS test, must complete prerequisite courses in Anatomy and Biology, and must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills for Practical Nursing from the Assessment Technologies Institute admissions examination.
- Tuition: Total program tuition is $4,885 for full-time students who reside in Shawnee College District No. 531.
- Accreditation: The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.
State Rank: 2
Joliet Junior College: Certificate of Achievement in Practical Nursing
Joliet Junior College’s Certificate of Achievement in Practical Nursing is housed at the oldest public community college in America. It has an extremely impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate, its program can be completed in under a year, and prospective students who score highly on relevant prerequisite examinations are guaranteed admission.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 99.30%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: 42 credit hours of full-time study
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, must take the COMPASS test or submit valid ACT scores, must complete prerequisite courses in Reading, Writing, and Math, must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0, and must complete the TEAS-V exam with a minimum composite score of 50. Prospective students who who score 80 or above on the TEAS-V exam are guaranteed admission to the program, while students who score below 80 are admitted or denied admission based on a points-based ranking system.
- Tuition: Total program tuition is $3,528 for full-time students who live in Joliet Junior College District 525
- Accreditation: The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association
State Rank: 3
Illinois Valley Community College: Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate
Illinois Valley Community College’s Licensed Practical Nursing Certificate has a consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission to the program is competitive and prerequisite requirements include successful completion of various relevant courses and possession of a CNA license. The program takes only three semesters to complete and tuition is relatively inexpensive for students who live in the school district.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.88%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes three semesters of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must complete prerequisite courses in Anatomy, Biology, English, and Psychology, must hold a valid American Red Cross Community CPR Card, must submit a Letter of Intent to the Admissions Office, must possess a Certified Nurse’s Aide license, and must take and pass a pre-nursing assessment exam.
- Tuition: Total program tuition is $5,468 for full-time in-district students.
- Accreditation: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
State Rank: 4
Spoon River College: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
Spoon River College’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate, takes only one year to complete, and, for full-time students who live in the school district, program tuition is relatively inexpensive.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.2%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes one year of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, must submit all relevant academic transcripts, must take the COMPASS test, must complete prerequisite courses in Biology, and must score at least 58.7% on the ATI-TEAS V pre-entrance exam.
- Tuition: For full-time in-district students, the total program tuition is $5,400.
- Accreditation: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
State Rank: 5
Illinois Central College: Certificate in Practical Nursing
Illinois Central College’s Certificate in Practical Nursing has a high NCLEX-PN pass rate and offers relatively inexpensive tuition for in-district students. Additionally, its curriculum is rigorous and the program can be completed in less than a year.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95.39%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program consists of 42 credit hours taken over the course of two semesters and one summer session.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, must submit all relevant academic transcripts, must take the COMPASS test or submit valid ACT scores, and must complete prerequisite courses in Composition, Nutrition, Medical Terminology, and Psychology.
- Tuition: Total program tuition for full-time in-district students is $5,452.
- Accreditation: The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Missouri
State Rank: 1
State Fair Community College: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
State Fair Community College’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has an extremely impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate, takes only a year to complete, and offers a thorough and rigorous course of study. The program is ideal for students who need flexibility in their schedule: in addition to traditional daytime courses, it also offers weekend courses and a part-time study option. Additionally, courses are offered at multiple campus locations.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes one year of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must be admitted to the college, must complete prerequisite courses in Algebra, Anatomy, Composition, and CPR, must achieve an Adjusted Total Individual Score of 58.7% or higher on the TEAS-V entrance exam, and must hold a valid CPR card for Health Care Providers.
- Tuition: Total program tuition for full-time students who are in-district residents is $7,604.
- Accreditation: The Missouri State Board of Nursing for Practical Nursing
State Rank: 2
Four Rivers Career Center Washington School of Practical Nursing: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
Four Rivers Career Center Washington School of Practical Nursing’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has a consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate and can be completed in only 11 months. It is an ideal option for students who have previously worked in nursing, as the admissions committee gives preference to applicants with professional experience.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 97.48%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 11 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must have a high school diploma, must take and pass the Basic level TEAS-V entrance exam, and must submit an autobiographical essay and three letters of recommendation from professional references. Applicants who have at least one year of professional nursing experience are given preference in the admissions process.
- Tuition: Total program tuition cost is $13,640 for full-time in-district students.
- Accreditation: The Missouri State Board of Nursing
State Rank: 3
Kirksville Area Technical Center: Certificate in Practical Nursing
Kirksville Area Technical Center’s Certificate in Practical Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate, can be completed in only one year, and program tuition is relatively inexpensive for full-time students who live in the school district.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.98%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes one year of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a high school diploma, must take and pass academic admissions tests, must take and pass a prerequisite Anatomy course, must take the COMPASS test or submit valid ACT scores, and must submit three recommendations from professional references.
- Tuition: Total program tuition cost is $8,000 for full-time in-district students.
- Accreditation: The Missouri State Board of Nursing
State Rank: 4
Saline County Career Center: Certificate in Practical Nursing
Saline County Career Center’s Certificate in Practical Nursing has a consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate and offers a thorough and challenging curriculum. The program can be completed in only 11 months of study.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95.60%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 46 weeks of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a high school diploma, must submit transcripts from all schools attended (high school, college, and/or professional programs) and three letters of recommendation from professional references, must take and pass the TEAS-V exam, and must submit a notarized statement affirming that the applicant has received a copy of the Functional Abilities for Admission and Continuance and the Missouri Nurse Practice Act form.
- Tuition: Total program tuition for full-time in-district students is $10,126.
- Accreditation: The Missouri State Board of Nursing and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
State Rank: 5
Jefferson College: Certificate in Practical Nursing
Jefferson College’s Certificate in Practical Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission is selective and competitive and requires successful completion of various relevant prerequisite courses and entrance exams. The program can be completed in only one year.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95.34%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program requires completion of 61 credit hours taken over one year of full-time study.
- Admission Requirements: Admission is competitive. Program applicants must complete prerequisite courses in Anatomy, Physiology, and Psychology, must submit all official academic transcripts to the Nursing Office, and must take the HESI A-2 Entrance Exam and score at least 85% in three of the four tested subjects and a minimum of 80% in the fourth tested subject.
- Tuition: Total program tuition for full-time in-district students is $10,978.
- Accreditation: The Missouri State Board of Nursing
New York
State Rank: 1
CUNY Bronx Community College: Certificate Program in Practical Nursing
CUNY Bronx Community College’s Certificate Program in Practical Nursing has an extremely high NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission is selective and highly competitive and requires successful completion of multiple entrance examinations and relevant prerequisite courses. The program takes a little over a year to complete and is ideal for students who need flexibility in their schedule, as courses are held only on weekends and weekday evenings.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program requires 56 credit hours of study. It is an evening and weekend study program that takes three semesters and one summer session to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Admission is highly competitive and applicants with the highest cumulative GPAs are given priority. Prospective students must be admitted to the college, must take and pass the CUNY/ACT Reading and Writing Skills Assessment Tests, must score at least 35/40 on the M1 Arithmetic and M2 Algebra sections of the Math COMPASS exam, must take and pass prerequisite/pre-clinical courses in Biology, Communications, English, and Psychology, must achieve a minimum percentile score of Basic 55 or higher to Proficient or better on the TEAS V exam, and must have a Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification.
- Tuition: For full-time students who are residents of New York state, total program tuition is approximately $8,000.
- Accreditation: The Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools Commission on Higher Education
State Rank: 2
Monroe College: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
Monroe College’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission is selective and highly competitive. The program takes only 11 months to complete.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 98%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 11 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Admission is competitive. Applicants must have a high school diploma, must have completed prerequisite courses in Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry, must have a cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must score in the “proficient” range or higher on the ATI TEAS exam.
- Tuition: Total program tuition is $14,640 for full-time students who are New York residents.
- Accreditation: The Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York
State Rank: 3
Orleans/Niagara BOCES: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
Orleans/Niagara BOCES’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has a consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission requires successful completion of various relevant prerequisite courses and entrance examinations, in addition to a personal essay and a one-on-one interview with faculty members. The program can be completed in only 14 months of study.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 97.76%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 14 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a high school diploma, must have completed prerequisite courses in Biology and Math, must submit all relevant official academic transcripts, must successfully complete the ATI TEAS LPN pre-test and essay, and must complete a personal interview with the Head Nursing Instructor and Placement Coordinator.
- Tuition: For full-time students who are residents of New York state, total program tuition is $11,091.
- Accreditation: The New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions
State Rank: 4
Niagara County Community College: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
Niagara County Community College’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has an impressive NCLEX-PN pass rate. Admission is selective and competitive. Requirements include successful completion of a prerequisite science course and achievement of satisfactory scores on multiple relevant placement exams. The program can be completed in roughly 11 months of study.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 96.64%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program consists of 45 credit hours taken over the course of two semesters and two summer sessions.
- Admission Requirements: Admission is competitive and applicants with the highest cumulative GPAs are given preference. Prospective students must be admitted to the college, must have a high school diploma, must successfully complete a prerequisite course in Biology or Chemistry, and must achieve a satisfactory score on placement exams that test the applicant’s competencies in math, reading, and writing (if satisfactory scores are not achieved, applicants must take remedial academic foundation courses before they will be considered for admission to the program).
- Tuition: For full-time students who reside in Niagara County, the total program tuition is $5,832
- Accreditation: The New York State Department of Education Office of the Professions
State Rank: 5
Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing: Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing
The Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing’s Undergraduate Certificate in Practical Nursing has a high NCLEX-PN pass rate and a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum. Because it is a hospital-based program (it is based at Rochester General Hospital), students have access to an impressive variety of clinical study opportunities. The program can be completed in only 10 months of study.
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 91.54%
- Program Length or Credit Hours: The program takes 10 months of full-time study to complete.
- Admission Requirements: Prospective students must have a high school diploma, must submit all relevant academic transcripts, must take and pass the ATI TEAS entrance exam, must complete entry-level prerequisite courses in English and Psychology at a regionally-accredited college or university, must submit a personal application essay and three recommendations from professional references, and must complete a personal interview with a faculty member.
- Tuition: Total program tuition cost for full-time students is $11,672. Because the Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing is a private school, residency status is not a factor in tuition cost.
- Accreditation: The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
