WHY are LPN programs so expensive?

[jelly221,RN]

In my desperation to begin working in a hospital, I was looking at many differeny LVN/LPN programs in the LA area. They had one common denominator: EXPENSIVE! Why is that? I know most of them have hardly any waiting list, which is probably due to them being expensive. Does anybody know why they cost so much? It seems silly to spend that much money when you could go to school a little bit longer and just get an ADN. But hey, I've considered it, so, all silliness aside- what's the deal??

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Not sure why they are expensive. We have very few LPN programs in my area compared to about 15 years ago. Most of them are in community colleges, however, they are just as competitive as the RN programs. They may be exploiting the passions of a person who really wants to be a nurse, however does not wish to be placed on a 2-5 year waiting list.

[kcochrane]

Don't forget that you should be able to get financial aid and student loans if needed. I was able to get both and it helped alot.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In my desperation to begin working in a hospital, I was looking at many differeny LVN/LPN programs in the LA area. They had one common denominator: EXPENSIVE! Why is that?

I attended a private, expensive LVN program in the greater Los Angeles area. Back in 2004, I attended Casa Loma College in Van Nuys, CA. The tuition was $20,000. I gladly financed the amount to have the convenience of no waiting lists, no prerequisites, and no entrance exams.

These programs are expensive due to the convenience factor. Many marginal students actually flourish and become good nurses through the personal attention of these private programs, when they otherwise would have been shut out of the community college nursing programs due to bad grades, low test scores, or the inability to pass certain prerequisite classes. In addition, many people are willing to become nurses badly enough, so they'll pay the huge tuitions to avoid the prereqs, waiting lists, and testing.