LPN program costs - is this too high?

Energizer Bunny · Jun 18, 2004

Whew! That seems really high to me but that's only because our LPN program here is about $6,000 for tuition and then you have to add the extras. The tuition for the RN program at the local CC is just about the same so I thought OUR LPN program was pricey! LOL!

Trauma Columnist · Jun 18, 2004

Is this a privately run college? For profit? Is it affiliated with a college? I think $17,000 is pretty expensive too. I'm in an MSN program and am paying $18,000 for it total. Its accredited? Good luck...however, if it meets your needs, I say go for it. Just make sure its accredited and their credits transfer. We have an institution here called Mid-state College that bills itself as a college, but their science credits don't transfer because of an accreditation issue.

FNP2B · Jun 18, 2004

well, i am ecstatic today...i've been wanting to go into nursing for so long, but i just couldn't see waiting for 3 years to get into a program (my little one is sooo expensive). so i resigned myself to respiratory therapy and decided i'd save nursing for "someday." then i was on the internet one night and stumbled across and lpn program that just got new facilities and teachers...with only a 10-week wait list. all credits are transferrable to the rn program - i didn't think they were - so afterward i could work or go straight into the 2nd year of an rn program, since there are no waitlists for that. aaaaaaaaahhh! i'm so happy! i had my interview today, and i could just feel that i was in the right place...i connected with my counselor so well immediately. and talking to him, everything in me just came out - all my reasons for wanting to nurse, my experiences, etc. and i realized more than ever that this is absolutely what i want to do!
there's a catch, as always, though. i had to take an entrance exam, which i passed, and then i had to take a 3 hour nursing entrance test. has anyone else had to do this for an lpn program? the test was difficult, for me anyway - the math section. i'm not even sure i passed it then there's the tuition. it is a 13 month program...everything is included - uniforms, stethescopes, your licensing exam, books...but the total cost is a little over $17,000! is this the average cost? it really seems like a good program - they're fully accredited (and have some other med tech accredidation, he was explaining it to me, but i didn't follow it all). i guess i'm just used to community college tuition.
any input on this?

i would most definitly look into the high tution...here in texas lpn programs run from 2-4k for a 10month ordeal. education is priceless...but you need to look at the price tag before you buy it. you must also think about cost to income ratio....the starting salary anually for an lpn in colorado is only about 36k...so just be careful.....look into how much rn programs are in your area...and if your paying more for an lpn program:uhoh21: ..something is up. the starting pay for new gn/rn is around 47k...over 10k more anually than lpn's an the experienced %ile for rn's is around 56-57k anually, whereas the experienced %ile for lpn's is around 40k. as an rn you will get paid 70% more than lpn's (again these # are for colorado). so you do the math over the years (unless you are going back to recieve your rn) it does not make sense to pay more for an lpn program. but in the end it come down to what you want to do...so good luck.

"its never to let to be what you might have been"

Rhoresmith · Jun 18, 2004

You said the program is 13 mo so does that also give you your IV therapy certificate ? you said it includes books, equipment (steth, BP cuff etc) well that is high but not if that is what you want, but if you can't transfer the credits is it worth that much could you PM the name of the school I have a friend who is trying to get in nursing school in Colorado and she will relocate if needed as long as it is still in Colorado

Rhonda

RedSox33RN · Jun 18, 2004

I think that is outrageous, despite giving you books and uniforms. That is, unless it is at a private college. I'm going to be paying $22K a year for a private Catholic college for an RN program. I had looked into an LPN program, that was less than $5K.

Mandylpn · Jun 18, 2004

Well, I am ecstatic today...I've been wanting to go into nursing for so long, but I just couldn't see waiting for 3 years to get into a program (my little one is sooo expensive). So I resigned myself to respiratory therapy and decided I'd save nursing for "someday." Then I was on the internet one night and stumbled across and LPN program that just got new facilities and teachers...with only a 10-week wait list. All credits are transferrable to the RN program - I didn't think they were - so afterward I could work or go straight into the 2nd year of an RN program, since there are no waitlists for that. AAAAAAAAAHHH! I'm so happy! I had my interview today, and I could just feel that I was in the right place...I connected with my counselor so well immediately. And talking to him, everything in me just came out - all my reasons for wanting to nurse, my experiences, etc. And I realized more than ever that this is absolutely what I want to do!
There's a catch, as always, though. I had to take an entrance exam, which I passed, and then I had to take a 3 hour nursing entrance test. Has anyone else had to do this for an LPN program? The test was difficult, for me anyway - the math section. I'm not even sure I passed it Then there's the tuition. It is a 13 month program...everything is included - uniforms, stethescopes, your licensing exam, books...but the total cost is a little over $17,000! Is this the average cost? It really seems like a good program - they're fully accredited (and have some other med tech accredidation, he was explaining it to me, but I didn't follow it all). I guess I'm just used to community college tuition.
Any input on this?

How much is a credit at this school? Mine is about $115 but I am sure it will go up again this year. With your books and everything, this does not sound too much more than I have spent. But my LPN program is two years (four semesters) including pre-req's.

I did not have to take a nursing entrance test, just a general math, english and reading test required of everyone. Don't give up just because of the cost!

Dixiedi · Jun 18, 2004

Well, I am ecstatic today...I've been wanting to go into nursing for so long, but I just couldn't see waiting for 3 years to get into a program (my little one is sooo expensive). So I resigned myself to respiratory therapy and decided I'd save nursing for "someday." Then I was on the internet one night and stumbled across and LPN program that just got new facilities and teachers...with only a 10-week wait list. All credits are transferrable to the RN program - I didn't think they were - so afterward I could work or go straight into the 2nd year of an RN program, since there are no waitlists for that. AAAAAAAAAHHH! I'm so happy! I had my interview today, and I could just feel that I was in the right place...I connected with my counselor so well immediately. And talking to him, everything in me just came out - all my reasons for wanting to nurse, my experiences, etc. And I realized more than ever that this is absolutely what I want to do!
There's a catch, as always, though. I had to take an entrance exam, which I passed, and then I had to take a 3 hour nursing entrance test. Has anyone else had to do this for an LPN program? The test was difficult, for me anyway - the math section. I'm not even sure I passed it Then there's the tuition. It is a 13 month program...everything is included - uniforms, stethescopes, your licensing exam, books...but the total cost is a little over $17,000! Is this the average cost? It really seems like a good program - they're fully accredited (and have some other med tech accredidation, he was explaining it to me, but I didn't follow it all). I guess I'm just used to community college tuition.
Any input on this?

I went to LPN school in the early 70's so this might not be so helpful... LOL

Tuition was around $3,500. Then add to that there was the cost of 3 uniforms, supplies (stethoscope, books, misc student supplies, etc), NCLEX fees, student nurse malpractice insurance, parking fees, and anything else I have forgotten over the years.

It seems to me since this is 30 years later the $17,000 probably is right in line with a top private school (which mine was.)

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2004

Ten Month Program is $13,577 including all expenses at Isabella Graham Hart where I live. It is an LPN school ran through a local hospital. Further downstate, there is private LPN school which is eleven months and it cost $17,895 with expenses but it is privately owned.

Seventeen thousand is a lot of money, but is this the tuition/books/supplies actual or are they also estimating living expenses? I know a lot of school quote tuition including living expenses, which is inaccurate depending on your circumstances.

If your credits are definitely transferrable, though, and you are going on to your LPN, then I don't think it is expensive. It then comes up to $8,500 (including books) a semester which is about comparable to some of our area schools that have nursing programs.

Either way, follow your heart. I know you will make the right choice and be very happy. BTW, don't think that you failed part of your exam. I'm sure you did just fine. :)

tonicareer · Jun 18, 2004

It is about double what CC is here. I would make sure it is accredited - check with your state licensing board. I would never just believe what a school tells me. If you have the money and don't want to wait 5 years to go to school then go ahead and do it.

NiobiusSwan · Jun 18, 2004

Yes, it's a private college. My Pell grants will pay a little over $8000 of it, which of course would leave me with about 9,000 in student loans. My thinking is, though, it is higher than a community college, but I would also be working about 3 years sooner, which is a huge factor with my son to consider. And also, if I can work as an LPN and get my RN covered by the hospital, the loan money won't be that difficult to pay off. IF I passed the test...

Either way, follow your heart. I know you will make the right choice and be very happy. BTW, don't think that you failed part of your exam. I'm sure you did just fine.

Thank you!

tonicareer · Jun 18, 2004

The maximum for the pell grant is 4050 for the year 2004-5. Can you get that much in student loans? I can't get any financial aid despite being low income. You are right though - better to graduate and be done early.