Top LPN Programs and Schools

Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is the fastest, most affordable way into nursing. LPNs, called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some states, provide essential patient care in hospitals, clinics, and longterm care facilities.

LPNs earn more than certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and less than registered nurses (RNs), but the training is short. The median LPN/LVN wage was $62,340 in May 2024, compared with $93,600 for RNs, according to the BLS. Most LPN programs run 12 to 18 months, far less than a typical RN program. That timeline is the main reason students choose this path: you can be working in about a year.

The programs below are accredited, affordable, and built to get you to the NCLEX-PN.

Featured Programs

The practical nursing certificate at Carl Sandburg College prepares graduates for entrylevel roles under physician and RN supervision. You learn to administer injections and medications, collect samples, dress wounds, provide bedside care, and take vital signs. Sandburg holds transfer agreements with Illinois nursing schools.

• Program: Practical nursing certificate
• Campus: Galesburg, IL
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Admission Requirements: Advisor meeting; high school transcript; TEAS or ACT/SAT scores
• Minimum Time Commitment: 1 year
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

The practical nursing diploma at Coastal Pines Technical College focuses on the NCLEX-PN and competent patient care. Clinicals cover nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, maternity nursing, and nurse leadership. CPTC requires general education in English, math, and basic psychology.

• Program: Diploma in practical nursing
• Campus: Waycross, GA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Georgia Board of Nursing
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; age 16; transcripts; placement testing; healthcare assistant certificate; background check
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

East Arkansas Community College offers a practical nursing certificate covering basic fundamentals, mental health, and nursing of mothers and children. Clinical components run at longterm care facilities, pediatric offices, and emergency rooms.

• Program: Technical certificate in practical nursing
• Campus: Forrest City, AR
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Admission Requirements: Academic transcripts; nursing entrance exam; background check
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

Florida Gateway College awards an occupational certificate in practical nursing that qualifies graduates for the NCLEX-PN and Florida licensing. The program starts in spring and covers basic nursing, human development across the lifespan, medical-surgical lifespan, and transition into practice.

• Program: Occupational certificate in practical nursing
• Campus: Lake City, FL
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; age 18; Test of Adult Basic Education score of 11; TEAS scores; background check
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

The practical nursing diploma at Ogeechee Technical College integrates theory and practice and makes graduates eligible for the NCLEX-PN. The program arranges clinicals at local facilities, but students cover travel costs.

• Program: Diploma in practical nursing
• Campus: Statesboro, GA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Georgia Board of Nursing
• Admission Requirements: High school or GED transcripts; age 18 at start; placement test scores; background check
• Minimum Time Commitment: 5 terms
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

Ozarka College offers a technical certificate in licensed practical nursing covering basic human nutrition, body structure and function, and the nursing process. Clinical rotations run across the campus's four-county area and into Missouri, with students covering travel costs.

• Program: Technical certificate in practical nursing
• Campus: Melbourne, AR
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Arkansas State Board of Nursing
• Admission Requirements: High school or GED transcripts; placement test scores; additional admissions criteria
• Minimum Time Commitment: 18 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

The practical nursing career certificate at Palm Beach State College combines classroom instruction with clinical experience in geriatric and longterm care, medical-surgical nursing, obstetrical and pediatric nursing, and pharmacology. Graduates can apply 11 LPN credits toward an associate degree in nursing.

• Program: Practical nursing career certificate
• Campus: Lake Worth, FL
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: SACSCOC; Florida Board of Nursing
• Admission Requirements: High school or GED transcripts; Test of Adult Basic Education scores; online info session; HESI score of 75
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

The practical nursing diploma at South Georgia Technical College prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN through coursework and clinicals in maternity nursing, medical-surgical nursing, nursing fundamentals, and human structure and function.

• Program: Diploma in practical nursing
• Campus: Americus, GA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Practical Nursing
• Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; age 18; placement test or ACT/SAT scores; criminal background check
• Minimum Time Commitment: 5 terms
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

Southside Virginia Community College offers a certificate in practical nursing geared toward beginning practitioners. Training emphasizes collaboration, nursing judgment, patient-centered care, and safe, effective care. Courses include terminology and charting, drug dosage calculations, and developmental psychology.

• Program: Certificate in practical nursing
• Campus: Alberta, VA
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Admission Requirements: Information session; high school transcripts or equivalent; transcript review for placement testing; TEAS scores of 55% overall and 53% math; 2.0 prerequisites GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 3 semesters
• Onsite Requirements: Yes

How LPN Programs Work

LPN programs prepare you for entrylevel roles under RN and physician supervision. You learn to monitor vital signs, administer medications, and assist with basic patient hygiene. Fulltime students can finish in as few as 12 months, blending classroom instruction with supervised clinical training.

Common courses include anatomy, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, and patient care. The pace is fast and built around real-world demands, with clinical rotations reinforcing what you learn in class. By graduation you are ready to take the NCLEX-PN, earn your license, and start working.

An LPN credential also serves as a foundation for RN programs and RN-to-BSN bridge programs, which expand your career options and earning potential.

Applying to an LPN Program

You can become an LPN through a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Certificate and diploma programs are shorter and focus on practical skills; associate degrees add general education and deeper coursework. All three prepare you for the NCLEX-PN. Compare options against your goals and timeline.

• Admission Materials: Typically a high school diploma or equivalent, prerequisite courses in biology, math, or anatomy, a criminal background check, drug screening, immunization records, CPR certification, a health exam, and an interview or essay.
• GPA Requirement: Competitive programs may require a 2.0 or higher, sometimes with separate minimums for prerequisite math and science.
• Other Requirements: Some programs require a CNA credential, a medical terminology course, or an entrance exam.

Why Accreditation Matters

Accreditation confirms a program meets the academic and professional standards set by recognized bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Independent panels of nursing professionals and academics evaluate curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes.

It matters for one concrete reason: an accredited program qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-PN, and every state requires passing that exam to practice. Accreditation also keeps federal financial aid available, since aid is usually limited to students at accredited schools. Every program listed here is fully accredited.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an LPN? An LPN provides basic medical care under physician or RN supervision. Duties include dispensing medication, taking vitals, and assisting with daily patient needs. You complete a state-approved program and pass the NCLEX-PN to get licensed.

What is the fastest way to become an LPN? An accelerated program can take as few as 12 months, combining classroom instruction with clinical training. After graduation you pass the NCLEX-PN to get licensed.

How long is LPN schooling? Usually 12 to 18 months depending on program depth. Graduates earn a diploma, certificate, or associate degree and must pass the NCLEX-PN for state licensure.

What is the difference between an LPN and an RN? An LPN provides basic care under supervision; an RN delivers more advanced care and coordinates treatment plans. RNs complete a longer program, usually an associate or bachelor's degree, and carry greater responsibility and higher earning potential.