Best LPN Programs in the U.S. (2026)

Licensed Practical Nursing offers a faster path into hands-on patient care than most nursing degrees. LPNs work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and specialty practices across the United States. Many students choose this route to enter nursing sooner, limit education costs, or gain clinical experience before pursuing RN licensure. This guide explains what to look for in an LPN program, then highlights schools selected using allnurses' reader survey data and publicly available program information so readers can compare options with real context.

What Is an LPN?

LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse. In California and Texas, the same role is called Licensed Vocational Nurse, or LVN. LPNs provide direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. Common duties include monitoring vital signs, assisting with basic care, administering medications within scope, and reporting changes in patient condition.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and vocational nurses earn a median annual salary of about $62,340. Demand is driven largely by long-term care, outpatient services, and home health settings.

Who This Guide Is For 

This guide is for people looking for a practical entry into nursing. It applies to career changers seeking stable healthcare work, CNAs moving into licensed roles, recent graduates exploring nursing, and adults returning to school. Many LPN students want consistent patient contact without committing to a four-year degree at the start. Questions usually center on approval status, time commitment, and what day-to-day work looks like after graduation.

How Long Is LPN School?

Most LPN programs take between 12 and 18 months to complete. The timeline depends on whether the program runs full time or part time and how clinical rotations are scheduled. Training includes classroom instruction, skills lab practice, and supervised clinical hours in healthcare facilities. Graduates of state-approved programs are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.

Shorter programs move fast, so it helps to think about whether you want speed, flexibility, or time to absorb the material before enrolling. Students focused on shorter timelines can also compare options in the guide to the fastest LPN programs.

Accreditation, Approval, and Licensure 

To become licensed, students must complete a practical nursing program approved by their state board of nursing. State approval determines eligibility for the NCLEX-PN and is required even for applicants with prior healthcare experience. Accreditation can affect access to federal financial aid and whether coursework may transfer into future nursing programs.

If a program is not state approved, nothing else about it matters, since you will not be able to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Approval details are especially important for students planning to move states or continue into RN education later.

Can You Do LPN School Online?

LPN programs cannot be completed fully online. Some schools offer hybrid formats where lecture-based courses are delivered online, but labs and clinical training must be completed in person. Clinical requirements are set by state boards of nursing and apply nationwide.

Programs advertising fully online LPN training without in-person clinicals should be reviewed carefully. Confirming clinical placement details early helps avoid licensure problems later.

How Much Does LPN School Cost? 

Many LPN programs cost about $5,000 to $25,000+ in total tuition and school fees, with extra costs for supplies, screening, and licensure.

The cost of LPN school varies by state, residency status, and school type. Public community and technical colleges usually cost less, especially for in-district students, while private programs tend to cost more but may offer more frequent start dates. Tuition is only part of the picture. Most students should also budget for uniforms, background checks, drug screening, lab fees, textbooks, the NCLEX registration fee, and any state application or licensing fees.

When comparing programs, look at the full program total rather than advertised tuition alone. Ask whether books and supplies are included, whether there are separate nursing or technology fees, and how far you may need to travel for clinical placements. Two programs with similar tuition can end up costing very different amounts once fees, supplies, and commuting are factored in.

For budget-friendly options, check out the cheapest LPN programs for 2026. 

What to Look for in an LPN Program 

Start with state board approval, since it determines whether you can take the NCLEX-PN after graduation. Next, check the schedule format and the clinical setup, because those details affect your week more than the program title. Look at program length in months or terms, plus required credits or clock hours, so you can compare timelines across schools. Finally, review admission requirements and start dates early, since many programs use competitive selection and run on fixed cohorts.

How These Programs Were Selected 

We selected the schools below using allnurses' methodology, which starts with reader surveys on what matters most when choosing an LPN program. We also considered publicly available school and program information, including format, program length, approval status, and outcomes data like NCLEX-PN pass rates or graduation rates when a school or state report publishes them.

Program details can change, so applicants should always confirm approval status and admissions requirements directly with the school.

How to Use This List 

Start by confirming that the program is approved by your state board of nursing, since approval controls NCLEX-PN eligibility. Next, pay close attention to schedule format and clinical logistics, because those details shape your weekly routine far more than the school name ever will. For example, a hybrid lecture format may reduce commuting time, but it will not replace in-person labs or clinical hours. When choosing between similar programs, clinical site locations, cohort start dates, and total time to completion often make the biggest difference.

Top LPN Programs in the United States 

The following schools offer practical nursing programs that meet state licensure requirements and prepare students for direct patient care roles.

Quick comparison of selected LPN programs:

• Holmes Community College (MS): In-person and hybrid formats, 12–18 months, certificate
• Ozarka College (AR): In-person program, length varies, technical certificate
• South Georgia Technical College (GA): In-person diploma program, two campuses
• Florida Gateway College (FL): In-person program, about 12 months, certificate
• Miami Dade College (FL): In-person program, one year, career certificate
• Lake Area Technical College (SD): On-campus and hybrid options, 11–18 months, certificate
• Southern Crescent Technical College (GA): In-person program, three terms, certificate
• Palm Beach State College (FL): Full-time day program, about 12 months, certificate
• Green River College (WA): On-campus and hybrid options, 3–6 quarters, certificate

1. Holmes Community College

Location: Mississippi

Holmes Community College offers a Practical Nursing program focused on hands-on patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Students complete classroom instruction, skills labs, and supervised clinical experiences aligned with LPN scope of practice. Program formats vary by campus and may include full-time day, evening and weekend, or hybrid options. Hybrid sections deliver some lectures online, while labs and clinicals are completed in person.

Because formats vary by campus, applicants should check schedules early before applying.

Key details:

• Format: Day, evening, weekend, or hybrid options by campus
• Length: Varies by format and location
• Credential: Practical Nursing certificate
• Clinical training: Labs and clinicals completed fully in person

2. Ozarka College

Location: Arkansas

Ozarka College's Practical Nursing program prepares students to provide general nursing care under RN supervision. Instruction emphasizes safe medication administration, accurate observation, documentation, and communication with patients and care teams. Classroom learning is paired with required clinical experiences so students apply skills in real healthcare settings. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for Arkansas licensure.

Key details:

• Format: In-person program
• Length: Varies by cohort
• Credential: Technical certificate in Practical Nursing
• Approval: Arkansas State Board of Nursing

3. South Georgia Technical College

Location: Georgia

South Georgia Technical College offers a Practical Nursing diploma program at its Americus campus and the Crisp County Center. Coursework moves from nursing fundamentals into pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternity care, and leadership concepts used in clinical settings. Supervised clinical rotations are built into the program and completed in healthcare facilities. This structure works well for students who want clear progression from classroom learning into bedside care.

Key details:

• Format: In-person instruction at two campuses
• Length: Varies by campus
• Credential: Practical Nursing diploma
• Clinical training: Supervised, in-person rotations

4. Florida Gateway College

Location: Florida

Florida Gateway College's Practical Nursing program is a 12-month certificate focused on preparing students for bedside care. Early coursework covers nursing skills, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and human development before moving into medical-surgical nursing across the lifespan. Later terms include maternal, infant, and child nursing, along with a transition-to-practice course. Clinical rotations run alongside classes and may involve different shifts based on placement.

Key details:

• Format: In-person program
• Length: About 12 months
• Credential: Practical Nursing certificate
• Approval: Florida Board of Nursing

5. Miami Dade College

Location: Florida

Miami Dade College offers a Licensed Practical Nursing Career Technical Certificate at its Medical Campus. Coursework includes Fundamentals of Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology with Medical Terminology, Pharmacology, and Adult Health. Students also complete a Professional Role Transition course focused on workplace expectations and patient care responsibilities.

Because admissions are competitive, timing prerequisites correctly can make a real difference here.

Key details:

• Format: In-person instruction at the Medical Campus
• Length: One year
• Credential: Career Technical Certificate
• Admissions: Competitive, with prerequisites and testing

6. Lake Area Technical College

Location: South Dakota

Lake Area Technical College's Practical Nursing program offers multiple pathways, including full-time on-campus and hybrid options that run about 11 months, plus a part-time hybrid option that runs about 18 months. The curriculum covers foundational nursing skills and clinical practice across the lifespan, with courses in fundamental nursing skills, medical-surgical care, maternity and child nursing, and applied clinical practice, along with required general education. Students complete in-person labs and supervised clinical experiences at sites in South Dakota and western Minnesota, so travel and scheduling can vary by placement. This setup can work well for students balancing work or family commitments while preparing for the NCLEX-PN.

Key details:

• Format: On-campus or hybrid pathways
• Length: About 11 months full time or 18 months part time
• Credential: Practical Nursing certificate
• Approval: South Dakota Board of Nursing

7. Southern Crescent Technical College

Location: Georgia

Southern Crescent Technical College offers a Practical Nursing certificate at the Griffin and Flint River campuses. The program runs a minimum of three terms, with cohorts starting in fall and Spring. Coursework includes pharmacology, clinical calculations, fundamentals, adult health nursing, pediatrics, mental health, and maternal nursing, followed by a capstone experience. Clinical training is completed in person and follows Georgia Board of Nursing requirements.

Key details:

• Format: In-person instruction at two campuses
• Length: Minimum of three academic terms
• Credential: Practical Nursing certificate
• Clinical training: Required, in-person rotations

8. Palm Beach State College

Location: Florida

Palm Beach State College's Practical Nursing career certificate is a full-time day program at the Lake Worth campus. The program runs about 12 months and totals 1,350 clock hours. Coursework covers medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, long-term and geriatric care, obstetrics, pediatrics, and nursing process concepts across the lifespan.

The fixed daytime schedule works best for students who can commit to a traditional weekday routine.

Key details:

• Format: Full-time, daytime program
• Length: About 12 months
• Credential: Practical Nursing career certificate
• Admissions: Limited-access selection

9. Green River College

Location: Washington

Green River College offers a Practical Nursing Program with a full-time, on-campus track that runs three quarters, plus part-time hybrid options that run six quarters on weekday or weekend schedules. Students split time between class, skills labs, and community-based clinical experiences.

The SIM Lab is where students can practice before entering clinical settings. Training uses high-fidelity manikins that represent adult, pediatric, obstetric, and neonatal patients, followed by structured debriefs with faculty to review decisions and safety checks.

Key details:

• Format: Full-time on campus or part-time hybrid options
• Length: Three to six quarters
• Credential: Practical Nursing certificate
• Clinical training: SIM lab and community-based experiences

LPN vs RN vs CNA: Key Differences 

All three roles work with patients, but they're trained for different levels of responsibility. CNAs help with daily care and basic support, LPNs provide licensed nursing care under supervision, and RNs take on assessment and care planning with the widest scope. The right fit depends on how soon you want to start working and how much clinical responsibility you want on your plate.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A CNA supports patients with day-to-day needs. Training is short and focuses on hands-on care like helping with mobility, hygiene, meals, and taking vital signs. CNAs do not do nursing assessments or make care plans. Many people start as a CNA to get experience in healthcare before moving into a nursing program.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

An LPN is a licensed nurse who provides direct patient care with oversight from an RN or provider. Most LPN programs take about 12 to 18 months and include class time, skills labs, and clinical training. LPNs may give medications within scope, perform treatments, and report changes in condition to the RN. You'll see LPNs often in long-term care, clinics, home health, and some hospital units depending on the facility.

Registered Nurse (RN)

An RN has the broadest scope of the three roles. RNs assess patients, help create care plans, educate patients and families, and make more clinical decisions within their scope and workplace policies. RN programs require an associate or bachelor's degree and include more advanced training. With the expanded scope usually comes higher pay and more specialty options.

Common LPN Questions 

Is LVN the same as LPN?

Yes. LVN is the title used in certain states, including California and Texas. The role, scope of practice, and licensing exam are the same as for LPNs.

Can LPNs give IV medications?

In many states, LPNs may administer IV medications with additional training and employer approval. Scope varies by state board regulations and facility policy. Some states restrict IV pushes or specific medications to RNs.

Can LPNs work in labor and delivery?

Some hospitals employ LPNs in labor and delivery support roles. Responsibilities are more limited than RN roles and focus on patient care support rather than clinical decision-making. Availability depends on state regulations and facility staffing models.

Is an LPN a degree or a certificate?

Most LPN programs award a certificate or diploma rather than a degree. Some coursework may transfer toward RN programs, depending on the school and state rules. Transfer credit should always be confirmed before enrolling.