Someone please help me!! Cost of LPN school?

[ajhutch]

I now we have talked about this before but I need some updated current rates. I am from Nebraska and I am looking in to a community college and the cost is about $5000 for a fulltime year long program. I get full pell grant so it would cost almost nothing out of pocket for me other than having to pay daycare for three kids under 4 years old. The catch is I have to wait unitl January of next year to begin and graduate in December 2008. It's also about 100 miles to and from everyday. So that adds up with the cost of gas. This program is 5 days a week 8-3. Accredited school.

The other private school I am looking into is right down the street and costs $22,000 for a year long program beginning next month if I want to start or August again of this year NO WAIT LIST. I would still get around $4300 in pell taken off that $22,000. It's 3-4 days a week 8-3. Not accredited.

A third school is about an hour drive to and from and is a 2 year program 2 days a week and is $12,000 total. Then I could work a lot over two years though. It is accredited.

I have $15,000 already in student loans from other programs I have already completed and I hate debt but what is your suggestion on what I should do? It seems like a no brainer if I dont want debt but I need advice. I am stuck and confused and I want someone in the field to tell me the flat out truth of it. I want to do this so bad but I have to work at least 20 hours each week and I have three little ones so I need to still help my husband out and pay some bills. I am very hard working and I know I can handle this. What do I do? Someone please help guide me in the right direction!!!!!

[Cherry2]

Mine is about $7000 for the 2 year program at a college, but I am in Canada, so I guess that isn't helpful to you, since we do things differently in that respect.

Coming from another mom, who is in school now... as much as it would suck to be even further in debt, I would probably just pay and go the the one that is closer! I have been doing my pre req's this year and have had to travel an hour+ on the bus to and from school everyday, WITH my 2 year old.

Needless to say, when I start LPN school in the fall, we are moving and my school will be a 10 minute or less train ride away, and my son will not have to come with me, b/c he will be at a daycare closer to our house.

All that traveling will wear you out so much, you will have a hard time getting the energy to study... that is how it has been for me.

Good luck deciding!

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I would see if the money can be obtained from other sources and attend the closet school, if that is entirely possible. Believe me, the wear and tear on the body will begin to show shortly, even if the facility is across the street. But, if there is no other option, start really thinking about who you can get to assist you, because the price of the first one is really a bargain, so to speak. Sometimes, we have to jump when the iron is hot. Best wishes in your choices...I know it is tough!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Here are some questions and comments to ponder...

1. How much are Nebraska LPNs paid?

2. If you borrow the $22,000 tuition, you will owe well over $30,000 when school is completed (even with grants). Since Midwestern LPN salaries tend to be low to moderate, you will likely have difficulty paying this debt off.

[kat7ap]

My private LVN school in Texas cost $18,400 for a 12 mo FT program. I pay only $90 a month now on my student loan which has a locked in low interest rate. Sure it would have been less than half the cost at a CC, but I started right away, no prerequisites or waiting lists and it was a very short commute. I felt like I got just as good or better education as the CC. I have easily earned back that tuition cost by several times now in the 1 year I've been a nurse.

[godsgift2]

my schooling is 9,500 i had to send in 100 dollars to hold my spot and i also get 380 dollars off tuition since i am already a cna plus the 100 dollars off.