Online & Hybrid LPN/LVN Programs: Comparing Top Board Approved Options
Online LPN/LVN programs offer a quick and affordable pathway into practical nursing — often in just one year. EduMed’s guide breaks down exactly how these programs work, covers tuition and admissions details, and looks inside board-approved programs available right now. Start exploring your options and move closer to your practical nursing career.
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What Type of LPN Program Do You Need?
Board-approved LPN or LVN programs help prepare you for the NCLEX-PN. But the right choice depends on your situation rather than on the credential. If you want to start working fast, a certificate or diploma is the shortest route. If you plan to become a registered nurse later, an associate degree or a college-credit certificate keeps more doors open. Your schedule, budget, and access to a campus for labs and clinicals also matter.
To find the right online/hybrid practical nursing program, select the student below that best resembles you.
The Recent HS Grad
You just finished high school and want a real nursing credential in about a year, without waiting four years to start working in healthcare.
Programs that don’t require healthcare experience let you start from scratch, which is exactly where most recent graduates are. A hybrid format keeps coursework online and your in-person time focused on clinicals, and a school that arranges your clinical placement saves you from tracking down a site on your own.
The Career Changer
You’re ready to leave your current line of work, or move up from an aide or CNA role, for a stable nursing career that doesn’t take years of school.
You’re likely keeping your current job while you retrain, so evening classes and a hybrid format let you study around your schedule instead of quitting first. A program with few prerequisites also keeps you from spending a semester on prep courses before you can start nursing coursework.
The Fast Tracker
You want to be licensed and earning as an LPN within a year, and you’re ready to commit to a full-time schedule to get there.
Programs that finish in under 12 months run classes back to back, so year-round start dates keep you from waiting months for the next cohort. Hybrid delivery puts the coursework online and concentrates your in-person time on clinicals, which helps you stay on pace.
Relevant EduMed Resources
The Budget Watcher
You want an LPN credential without taking on heavy debt, and every dollar of tuition, fees, and supplies matters to your decision.
Total cost depends on more than tuition, so compare fees, uniforms, and exam costs side by side before you commit. Programs that accept federal financial aid open up grants and loans, and a hybrid format can cut commuting and housing costs by moving coursework online.
The Working Balancer
You’re working or caring for family while you study, and you need a program that fits around a schedule you can’t clear.
A part-time track stretches the same coursework over more months so you can keep your job and your hours at home. Hybrid delivery lets you do theory work on your own time, and clinical schedules with evening or weekend options make it possible to log required hours without taking time off.
The Future RN
You see LPN as a first step toward becoming an RN or earning a BSN, and you want your coursework and license to count toward that next degree.
Credits that transfer into an RN or BSN program mean you won’t repeat coursework when you move up, so confirm which schools the program has bridge agreements with. A hybrid format lets you keep working as an LPN while you study for the next degree.
Your Options for LPN Training
Practical nursing programs come in three credential types: certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. All three qualify you for the NCLEX-PN if your state board approves the program. They differ in who offers them, how long they take, what they cost and how easily your coursework carries into a registered nursing (RN) program later.
At a Glance: How LPN Programs Compare
| Certificate | Diploma | Associate Degree | |
|---|---|---|---|
Length | Certificate 2–3 semesters (about 12 months) at most public colleges | Diploma About 12–15 months full time; up to 20 months on part-time or evening schedules | Associate Degree About 18–24 months, or earned partway through an RN associate degree as a “step-out” |
Cost Range | Certificate About $4,000–$11,000 at community and technical colleges | Diploma About $24,000–$38,000 at private career colleges; less at public technical centers | Associate Degree About $40,000 at private colleges; a step-out is included in public RN tuition |
School Types | Certificate Community colleges, technical colleges and some adult education programs | Diploma Private career colleges, public technical centers and career-technical districts | Associate Degree Community colleges and private colleges |
Credits or Clock Hours | Certificate About 22–50 semester credits | Diploma About 1,000–1,700 clock hours | Associate Degree 60 or more semester credits, including general education |
Financial Aid Eligibility | Certificate Federal aid at accredited colleges; WIOA at approved programs | Diploma Federal aid at accredited schools, including many clock-hour programs; WIOA at approved programs | Associate Degree Federal aid at accredited colleges |
Credits Transfer to RN Program | Certificate College credits often count toward an LPN-to-RN bridge, especially at the same college | Diploma Clock hours rarely transfer, but your LPN license still qualifies you for LPN-to-RN advanced placement | Associate Degree Strongest path: general education and nursing credits count toward an RN associate degree |
Best For | Certificate The Recent HS Grad, The Budget Watcher | Diploma The Career Changer, The Working Balancer | Associate Degree The Future RN |
LPN vs. LVN: What’s the Difference?
The roles are the same. California and Texas call the credential a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), while every other state uses licensed practical nurse (LPN). Both take the NCLEX-PN and work under the supervision of RNs, physicians, or other licensed providers. The scope of practice, minimum training hours, and renewal rules are set by each state’s board of nursing.
Make sure you check your state’s page for those details.
Can You Complete LPN Training Online?
No LPN program is fully online. Every state requires hands-on skills labs and supervised clinical hours. However, hybrid programs (or those labeled “online”) put the classroom portion online and keep the hands-on training in-person. Here’s how the work usually splits:
| Usually online in a hybrid program | Always in person |
|---|---|
Usually online in a hybrid program Nursing theory lectures, either live (synchronous) or self-paced (asynchronous) | Always in person Skills labs, such as medication administration and wound care |
Usually online in a hybrid program General education courses, such as anatomy, psychology or English | Always in person Simulation labs |
Usually online in a hybrid program Quizzes, case studies and NCLEX-PN review | Always in person Clinical rotations in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics |
Hybrid schedules vary widely. Some programs bring you to campus a few days a month, such as Montana State University Billings, where hybrid students attend campus once or twice a month for two to four days at a time. Others hold online lectures on weekday evenings and labs and clinicals on weekends, like the evening option at Arizona’s Maricopa community colleges. Before you enroll, ask these questions:
- How often will I need to be on campus, and on which days?
- Are online classes live at set times, or can I complete them on my own schedule?
- Where are clinical sites, and can I complete clinicals near home? Many programs, such as Holmes Community College in Mississippi, don’t offer clinicals outside their state.
- Is the program approved by the board of nursing in the state where I want to be licensed? If you plan to work in a different state than the school’s, confirm your state will accept the program before you apply.
How to Choose an LPN Program
Once you know which credential fits, start with these five checks to compare specific programs:
- State board approval. Only graduates of programs approved by a state board of nursing can take the NCLEX-PN. Find the program on your board’s list of approved programs, not just on the school’s website.
- NCLEX-PN pass rates. In 2025, 86.6% of first-time, U.S.-educated candidates passed the NCLEX-PN nationwide. Many state boards publish program-level rates, so look for programs at or above that mark over several years, not just one small class.
- Accreditation. Institutional accreditation is what makes a school eligible for federal financial aid. Programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) is optional for PN programs but signals an outside review of quality.
- Format and clinical logistics. Check how much of the program is online, how often you’ll be on campus and where clinical rotations take place. A program near your home or job usually means shorter commutes to clinical sites.
- Your path to RN. If you plan to become an RN, ask whether the program’s credits transfer into an LPN-to-RN bridge, at the same school or elsewhere. Clock-hour diplomas usually don’t carry college credit.
Ask about admission requirements early, too. Many programs require CNA certification, prerequisite courses such as anatomy and physiology, an entrance exam like the TEAS or HESI A2, a background check, and a drug screen.
What the Experts Say
The LPN programs in this guide have all been evaluated for academic quality, NCLEX-PN pass rates, and program outcomes. Still, a nursing program is a major commitment, and the right one comes down to more than test scores: your schedule, your financial situation, and your longer-term career plans all shape the decision. Our nurses share what to factor in.
Look at Where Grads Work
One thing I’d tell anyone considering an LPN program is to look at where the program’s graduates are working a year out. LPNs have been phased out of many acute care hospital roles over the past decade. If aren’t interested in home health, long-term care, or physician offices, you may want to consider a different track to get into nursing.
Hands-On Training Is Non-Negotiable
I love that nursing education has become more flexible and accessible with online courses, but there’s no substitute for hands-on learning. Pay close attention to how a program structures its labs and clinical rotations, because confidence in nursing comes from doing.
Inside Online/Hybrid LPN Programs: How They Work
To become a licensed practical (or vocational) nurse, you must complete an accredited higher education program. But how do they really work? What can you expect in a mostly campus-based program with some online components built in for convenience? What about a mostly online program with only clinicals on campus? Let’s take a closer look at some of these partially online LPN & LVN programs.
Eagle Gate College
Eagle Gate College offers a hybrid Practical Nursing program that features online courses and hands-on training in simulations, labs, and healthcare facilities.
Classes offer extensive instruction on clinical nursing skills such as patient monitoring, administering prescribed medications while reporting adverse reactions to treatment, starting intravenous fluids, and other duties that are common in the field, like educating patients and their families.
The school offers guidance and insight to help students pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: For the 2026 school year, $30,114 for hybrid and campus-based practical nursing programs.
Admissions Requirements: Applicants must meet certain admissions criteria:
- They must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens as designated by the Department of Homeland Security.
- They must be 18 years old at the time of admission; students under the age of 18 can obtain approval from a parent or legal guardian or demonstrate that they are covered under state emancipation statutes.
- Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED and must complete an admissions interview.
Curriculum: The program requires completion of 48 credit hours, including 39 credits of nursing core courses and nine credits of general education courses.
Best for: Idaho and Utah residents with a nearby Eagle Gate College campus.
Verve College
Verve College’s Practical Nursing program is a certificate/diploma program; students take most courses on campus in Chicago or Oak Brook, Illinois.
The program features a hybrid approach. This includes classroom instruction, laboratory simulations at campus labs, externships in clinical settings (including hospitals and nursing care facilities), and online practice and exam preparation.
All theory classes are held via Zoom, and students must be visually present. Clinicals rotate between on-campus and off-campus locations.
Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN, and the cost of tuition includes one attempt to pass the exam.
Duration: 1,080 credit hours (typically completed in 14 to 15 months)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $24,995 (tuition)
Admissions Requirements: The college follows a robust admissions process. Requirements include:
- Active CNA certification
- High school diploma/GED or a minimum of eight credit hours from an accredited U.S. college or university
- College transcripts for Anatomy and Physiology courses with a minimum of six to eight credit hours and a minimum C grade
- ATI-TEAS Entrance Examination (must be taken at Verve College)
- Proof of current personal medical insurance
- Proof of professional liability insurance obtained from www.nso.com
- Social Security card
- CPR/BLS card
- 400- to 500-word personal essay; topics should include Why I want to be a PN and What do I plan to do with my nursing career?
- Two professional letters of recommendation
Curriculum: Three semester-long courses feature specific learning modules. Students explore how to provide nursing care for sick, injured, and/or otherwise disabled patients. They learn basic bedside care and how to take vital signs. They will prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, apply dressings, treat bedsores, and give alcohol rubs and massages.
Best for: Illinois students who are interested in entry-level nursing positions under the supervision of an RN or a physician
West Virginia Junior College (WVJC)
West Virginia Junior College offers a hybrid Practical Nursing program. It combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences at the school or local/regional healthcare facilities.
In addition to hands-on training, students gain experience in real-world activities through clinical rotations at local area hospitals and medical facilities. Students can save time and money on this direct-admission program by immediately starting related classes.
The program meets the educational requirements for professional licensing in West Virginia. Students are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN after completing the program.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: Tuition varies based on program mode (whether students choose a direct-admission approach or pursue an associate degree) and length. Use the school’s net price calculator to get an estimate of costs.
Admissions Requirements: According to admissions requirements, students must:
- Take the ATI-TEAS Entrance Examination
- Complete a nursing application and pay a fee
- Submit documents, including essays, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and other documents requested by the admissions team
- Complete an interview with a campus representative
- Complete required health screenings, immunizations, and background checks
Curriculum: Students at WVJC can expect to learn and utilize the nursing process to provide safe and effective patient care. They learn how to practice sound nursing judgment, critical thinking, and patient care skills. They will complete classroom instruction and lab experiences in gerontological, medical, surgical, obstetric, and pediatric nursing.
Best for: Students who want to practice in West Virginia and gain an entry-level nursing position. By earning a diploma in Practical Nursing, they can enter the workforce sooner, begin earning income, and gain valuable experience in the field. Graduates of the WVJC LPN program can complete the Practical Nursing to Registered Nursing Pathway Program later if they decide to further their education within five years of graduation.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Every state follows the same basic path to an LPN or LVN license, but fees, paperwork, and continuing education requirements can vary. Follow these six general steps and visit your state’s board of nursing (or our relevant state LPN page) for the details.
- Meet your program’s admission requirements. Expect a high school diploma or GED, and often CNA certification, prerequisite courses, an entrance exam, a background check and a drug screen.
- Complete a state-approved practical nursing program. A certificate, diploma, or associate degree all qualify, as long as the state board of nursing approves the program.
- Apply for licensure by examination. Apply to the board of nursing in the state where you want to work. Most boards require a fingerprint-based criminal background check along with the application fee.
- Register for the NCLEX-PN. Register with Pearson VUE for $200. Once your board confirms you’re eligible, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test and can schedule your exam.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. The computer-adaptive exam tests whether you can practice safely as an entry-level LPN.
- Get licensed and keep your license current. If you live in a Nurse Licensure Compact state, you can apply for a multistate license that lets you practice in other compact states. Renewal periods, fees and continuing education requirements are set by each state.
Already licensed in one state and moving to another? Most boards offer licensure by endorsement, meaning you won’t need to retake the NCLEX-PN.
LPN Requirements by State
The NCLEX-PN is the same everywhere, but your state board of nursing sets the rest. These are the requirements that differ most often, with examples from a few states:
| What varies | Why it matters | Examples |
|---|---|---|
What varies Title | Why it matters Determines what your license is called | Examples California and Texas license LVNs; other states license LPNs |
What varies Minimum training hours | Why it matters Sets how long programs must be | Examples California requires at least 1,530 hours of vocational nursing education |
What varies Nurse Licensure Compact membership | Why it matters Decides whether your license can work in other states | Examples Arizona (since 2018) and Alabama (since 2020) are members; California and Nevada are not |
What varies Renewal and continuing education | Why it matters Affects what you’ll do to keep your license | Examples Arizona LPNs renew every four years with no CE hours, but must show 960 hours of practice in five years or an approved alternative |
What varies Program formats | Why it matters Shapes how much you can study online | Examples Hybrid options are common in some states and rare in others; Nevada and Alabama had no hybrid LPN programs in our review |
More than 40 states belong to the Nurse Licensure Compact, but large states including California, New York and Illinois do not. Select your state to see its approved programs, costs, pass rates and licensing steps.
Online/Hybrid Practical Nursing Programs by State
Online learnings offers flexibility when it comes to where and when you learn and communicate. But given the hands-on nature of practical nursing, enrolling in a program in your area can be helpful, and, in some cases, critical. To narrow your search by location, find your state and continue reviewing programs that fit your educational and career needs.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
Paying for Your LPN Program
The cost of a practical nursing program can range from a few hundred dollars to more than $10,000, depending on the level of the program and the school. To help pay for your nursing education, start with these main sources. You can also research online and hybrid LPN programs that offer financial aid themselves.
- Federal financial aid. File the FAFSA to apply for Pell Grants and federal student loans. You’ll need a program at an institutionally accredited school that participates in federal aid, which includes many clock-hour diploma programs.
- Workforce funding. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) pays training costs for eligible job seekers in programs on their state’s Eligible Training Provider List. Contact your local American Job Center to apply.
- State grants and scholarships. Many states fund nursing students directly. California, for example, offers Cal Grant C for vocational training and HCAI scholarships for LVN students. Your state page lists the options where you live.
- Employer tuition help. Nursing homes, hospitals and home health agencies sometimes pay for nursing assistants to become LPNs, often in exchange for a work commitment.
- Military benefits. GI Bill benefits can cover approved LPN programs, and some colleges give credit for military medical training.
- Payment plans. Many schools let you spread tuition across the program, sometimes interest-free.
Budget for costs beyond tuition. Books, uniforms, equipment, immunizations, background checks, the NCLEX-PN ($200) and your state’s licensing fees can add $1,500 or more to your total.
LPN Salary and Job Outlook
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $49,740 | $64,400 | $83,440 |
| Alabama | $39,880 | $57,030 | $69,120 |
| Alaska | $62,400 | $80,800 | $96,700 |
| Arizona | $61,050 | $77,070 | $89,850 |
| Arkansas | $44,670 | $56,620 | $65,020 |
| California | $64,390 | $79,750 | $100,450 |
| Colorado | $50,820 | $73,880 | $84,440 |
| Connecticut | $62,610 | $73,690 | $81,060 |
| Delaware | $59,210 | $68,710 | $77,580 |
| District of Columbia | $62,880 | $75,740 | $87,470 |
| Florida | $50,450 | $61,770 | $74,320 |
| Georgia | $46,010 | $62,030 | $76,690 |
| Hawaii | $59,620 | $71,140 | $88,340 |
| Idaho | $47,890 | $63,800 | $77,850 |
| Illinois | $58,880 | $75,000 | $89,810 |
| Indiana | $50,550 | $65,720 | $77,220 |
| Iowa | $50,550 | $62,630 | $77,710 |
| Kansas | $49,780 | $61,760 | $77,290 |
| Kentucky | $48,420 | $60,460 | $73,220 |
| Louisiana | $45,810 | $57,470 | $66,150 |
| Maine | $56,160 | $73,200 | $82,600 |
| Maryland | $60,720 | $74,660 | $90,010 |
| Massachusetts | $61,690 | $80,220 | $93,980 |
| Michigan | $56,160 | $65,460 | $77,780 |
| Minnesota | $51,700 | $63,750 | $77,380 |
| Mississippi | $39,320 | $50,220 | $60,910 |
| Missouri | $48,580 | $61,530 | $77,120 |
| Montana | $49,230 | $62,210 | $74,330 |
| Nebraska | $50,890 | $62,660 | $77,940 |
| Nevada | $61,750 | $76,160 | $89,420 |
| New Hampshire | $59,860 | $77,110 | $93,660 |
| New Jersey | $63,210 | $75,160 | $85,400 |
| New Mexico | $38,090 | $59,330 | $78,110 |
| New York | $54,480 | $67,180 | $81,530 |
| North Carolina | $50,480 | $63,270 | $74,730 |
| North Dakota | $50,950 | $62,300 | $74,130 |
| Ohio | $50,030 | $61,950 | $74,120 |
| Oklahoma | $45,440 | $58,320 | $66,410 |
| Oregon | $64,000 | $80,470 | $98,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,500 | $63,940 | $77,750 |
| Rhode Island | $65,650 | $80,090 | $94,540 |
| South Carolina | $50,370 | $61,820 | $76,420 |
| South Dakota | $40,770 | $52,750 | $67,700 |
| Tennessee | $41,110 | $58,870 | $67,540 |
| Texas | $48,910 | $62,240 | $76,140 |
| Utah | $37,480 | $63,230 | $77,540 |
| Vermont | $50,230 | $69,930 | $84,710 |
| Virginia | $50,580 | $64,920 | $79,170 |
| Washington | $64,230 | $83,150 | $100,950 |
| West Virginia | $45,690 | $55,360 | $70,960 |
| Wisconsin | $51,820 | $63,760 | $78,490 |
| Wyoming | $46,700 | $63,460 | $77,000 |
Source: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 651,400 | 668,500 | 17,100 | 2.6% | 54,400 |
| Alabama | 11,320 | 11,900 | 580 | 5.1% | 990 |
| Alaska | 340 | 380 | 40 | 12% | 30 |
| Arizona | 5,430 | 6,290 | 860 | 15.9% | 550 |
| Arkansas | 10,300 | 11,380 | 1,070 | 10.4% | 970 |
| California | 80,900 | 93,000 | 12,100 | 15% | 8,160 |
| Colorado | 5,110 | 5,630 | 520 | 10.1% | 490 |
| Connecticut | 8,760 | 9,240 | 480 | 5.4% | 770 |
| Delaware | 1,600 | 1,790 | 190 | 11.8% | 150 |
| District of Columbia | 1,300 | 1,410 | 100 | 7.9% | 120 |
| Florida | 37,000 | 40,580 | 3,580 | 9.7% | 3,460 |
| Georgia | 20,630 | 23,010 | 2,380 | 11.5% | 1,980 |
| Hawaii | 740 | 800 | 60 | 8% | 70 |
| Idaho | 1,800 | 2,150 | 350 | 19.4% | 190 |
| Illinois | 19,700 | 20,850 | 1,150 | 5.8% | 1,740 |
| Indiana | 15,010 | 15,420 | 410 | 2.8% | 1,260 |
| Iowa | 5,860 | 6,270 | 410 | 7% | 530 |
| Kansas | 7,130 | 7,340 | 210 | 3% | 600 |
| Kentucky | 9,410 | 10,090 | 680 | 7.2% | 850 |
| Louisiana | 19,280 | 19,020 | -260 | -1.3% | 1,500 |
| Maine | 870 | 870 | 0 | 0.2% | 70 |
| Maryland | 9,340 | 9,610 | 270 | 2.9% | 780 |
| Massachusetts | 15,370 | 15,820 | 450 | 2.9% | 1,290 |
| Michigan | 11,200 | 11,590 | 390 | 3.5% | 950 |
| Minnesota | 14,010 | 14,840 | 830 | 5.9% | 1,240 |
| Mississippi | 10,080 | 11,020 | 930 | 9.3% | 940 |
| Missouri | 15,210 | 15,560 | 350 | 2.3% | 1,260 |
| Montana | 1,660 | 1,810 | 150 | 8.8% | 150 |
| Nebraska | 5,090 | 5,390 | 300 | 5.9% | 450 |
| Nevada | 3,290 | 3,900 | 620 | 18.7% | 350 |
| New Hampshire | 2,150 | 2,190 | 40 | 2% | 180 |
| New Jersey | 15,600 | 17,640 | 2,040 | 13.1% | 1,530 |
| New Mexico | 1,990 | 2,110 | 120 | 6.1% | 180 |
| New York | 43,780 | 45,390 | 1,610 | 3.7% | 3,720 |
| North Carolina | 17,700 | 18,560 | 860 | 4.8% | 1,540 |
| North Dakota | 1,980 | 2,120 | 150 | 7.5% | 180 |
| Ohio | 36,960 | 36,300 | -660 | -1.8% | 2,860 |
| Oklahoma | 13,040 | 13,440 | 410 | 3.1% | 1,100 |
| Oregon | 4,490 | 4,940 | 450 | 10% | 420 |
| Pennsylvania | 36,330 | 37,140 | 810 | 2.2% | 3,020 |
| Rhode Island | 1,100 | 1,110 | 10 | 1% | 90 |
| South Carolina | 8,550 | 9,140 | 580 | 6.8% | 760 |
| South Dakota | 2,120 | 2,260 | 140 | 6.6% | 190 |
| Tennessee | 19,760 | 21,300 | 1,530 | 7.8% | 1,790 |
| Texas | 59,260 | 64,530 | 5,270 | 8.9% | 5,470 |
| Utah | 1,780 | 2,080 | 300 | 16.9% | 180 |
| Vermont | 1,320 | 1,390 | 70 | 5% | 120 |
| Virginia | 17,040 | 17,970 | 940 | 5.5% | 1,420 |
| Washington | 8,620 | 9,740 | 1,120 | 13% | 970 |
| West Virginia | 6,210 | 6,820 | 620 | 10% | 580 |
| Wisconsin | 7,020 | 7,130 | 110 | 1.6% | 580 |
| Wyoming | 540 | 580 | 40 | 6.6% | 50 |
Source: Projections Central, 2024-2034
After LPN School: Where You Can Go Next
Most new LPNs work in nursing homes and long-term care, home health, physician offices, and clinics. Many hospitals now reserve acute care roles for RNs, but if hospital work is your goal, plan for an RN credential from the start.
An LPN license is also a common stepping stone to becoming an RN. Here are three ways to go from licensed practical nurse to registered nurse:
- LPN-to-RN bridge programs give you advanced placement in an associate degree in nursing (ADN), so you skip some first-year nursing courses. Many are offered in hybrid formats.
- LPN-to-BSN programs take you straight to a bachelor’s degree, which some employers prefer for RN roles.
- Step-out programs work in reverse: you start in an RN associate degree program and earn a PN certificate partway through, so you can work as an LPN while you finish.
If you plan to bridge, choose an LPN program whose credits your target RN program will accept, and confirm whether the RN program requires LPN work experience before admission.
FAQs About LPN and LVN Programs
Can I take LPN or LVN classes online?
Yes, but only part of the program. Online courses and programs are available that allow students to complete classwork when it’s convenient. Most “online” programs are hybrid and include both online and in-person classes. Coursework can be completed early in the morning, late at night, or on weekends.
Each program has its own system to provide a curriculum online. Most feature varying degrees of asynchronous learning, so students can complete online requirements when it’s convenient. Occasional “real-time” (synchronous) meetings might be conducted online through video chat or discussion boards. But, students don’t need to go to campus to attend online classes.
Can I enroll in a hybrid LPN program in another state?
Sometimes, but it’s risky. Clinicals usually have to be completed near the school, and many programs don’t place students in other states. Make sure the board of nursing where you want to be licensed will accept the program before you apply.
How long does it take to become an LPN?
Most certificate and diploma programs take about 12 months of full-time study, and part-time or evening schedules can take 18 to 20 months. Associate degrees take about two years.
Accelerated/fast-track programs in practical nursing usually take anywhere from six months to one year to complete. Although six-month programs are rare, they do exist – typically as a completion program for students who have already earned related credits.
How much does LPN school cost?
Public community and technical college programs typically cost about $4,000 to $11,000. Private career colleges usually charge $24,000 to $40,000. Add about $1,500 or more for books, supplies, background checks, the NCLEX-PN and licensing fees.
Can I take the NCLEX-PN without going to school?
No; in order to take the NCLEX-PN – which is a licensing requirement in every state that is currently administered by Pearson VUE for $200 – you’ll need a certificate or diploma in either licensed practical nursing (LPN) or licensed vocational nursing (LVN). These certificate and diploma programs are only offered by educational institutions, so you cannot take the exam without first completing a program.
Do I need to be an LPN before becoming an RN?
It is possible to skip the LPN step. But, most students look at it as a steppingstone to gain practical experience and ensure they’re on the right track for a nursing role. Many online bridge programs are available; most of them require an LPN credential at minimum before students can become an RN.
If you’re interested in skipping the LPN certification, you should look for a direct-entry RN program. However, RN programs are extremely competitive. Earning an LPN designation and gaining practical experience in the field can be an advantage for future RN students.
Ranking the Best Online/Hybrid LPN & LVN Programs
Further Resources for LPN and LVN Students
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN): links to every state board of nursing, plus NCLEX pass-rate statistics.
- NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin: registration steps, fees and test-day rules for the NCLEX-PN.
- Nurse Licensure Compact: the current list of compact states and how multistate licenses work.
- CareerOneStop WIOA Training Finder: how to find WIOA-eligible training programs and your local American Job Center.
