10 Cheapest & Most Affordable LPN Programs in 2025

Choosing to train as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) takes a lot of dedication and study ?usually an entire year or more. It also comes with a cost; however, many schools offer affordable LPN programs to help students pursue this career without incurring lots of debt.

Many community colleges offer accredited programs with online options to complete some of the required LPN coursework. If you're looking for a low-cost LPN program, continue reading to discover some of the best options.

Affordable Online LPN Programs in the U.S.

The demand for trained, qualified healthcare workers is growing, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Those with a high school diploma or looking to change careers can pursue nursing roles by enrolling in affordable LPN programs.

Affordable online degree programs, as well as certificate programs, allow students to earn an education and provide flexible options at a low cost. Students can choose from full-time and part-time schedules, as well as hybrid, in-person, and other flexible program options in various states. Read on for a selection of the best opportunities for LPN programs.

1. Community Colleges of Denver

The practical nursing certificate at Community Colleges of Denver in Colorado offers full-time, part-time, night, and weekend options. Entry-level healthcare jobs are a priority for state workforce funding, so the Career Advance Colorado program covers these costs, allowing some students to essentially enroll in accredited LPN programs for free.

To add some flexibility, the English and biology prerequisites are available as online classes. While in-state tuition is low at $169 per credit hour, students should still submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online form to determine eligibility for grants, work-study opportunities, and financial aid.

2. Southeast Community College

Southeast Community College features several campuses around Lincoln, NE. Online LPN programs are offered at the Beatrice, Milford, Falls City, and Lincoln campuses, with lab work and clinical experience scheduled locally. The Lincoln and Beatrice locations offer in-person, online, and hybrid formats. Milford and Falls City's programs are part-time and online only.

As part of the National Council on State Boards of Nursing, graduates who pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) exam are automatically licensed to work in 38 participating states. The total cost of the two-semester program (full-time) is $10,094 for residents and $12,190 for out-of-state. Many nursing-specific scholarships are available through the college.

3. Maricopa Community Colleges

A fast-track LPN program is available at two Maricopa colleges: Gateway Community College in Phoenix and Mesa Community College in Mesa, AZ. This 11-month program is among the fastest routes to certification by a practical nursing program.

Some classes, like Practical Nursing Theory and Science, are offered live online, allowing remote participation. In-state and in-district residents benefit from $97 per credit hour tuition, and it's $253 for online students. Classes can lead to the NCLEX-PN licensing test, and the school is accredited only by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.

4. Lake Area Technical College

Located in Watertown, SD, Lake Area Technical College offers full-time and part-time options for LPN certification e-degrees with hybrid classes (online and in-person). It is among some of the best online LPN programs for flexibility, with both full-time in-person and online/hybrid components at just 11 months.

Applicants are automatically accepted if they score 75% on an entrance exam or an ACT score above 24, a GPA of 3.5 or above, and residency in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, or Minnesota. Tuition is $124 per credit hour, for a total of $12,057. It meets the standards of the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and over 90% of graduates pass the NCLEX-PN licensure test.

5. Cape Fear Community College

The LPN certificate from North Carolina's Cape Fear Community College is another inexpensive option at just $76 per credit hour for in-state students or $268 for non-residents. That brings the three-semester, full-time program total to $8,461 for residents and $14,419 for out-of-state students.

General education requirements are available online through the hybrid format, but nursing classes require in-person attendance. The North Carolina Board of Nursing accredits the program, which is offered at several campuses near Wilmington.

6. Hudson County Community College

Hudson County Community College offers an LPN program accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The four-semester LPN program requires three prerequisite general education courses in English, math, and biology, which may be taken online or as hybrid variations.

The in-state tuition cost for this one-year program is $5,384; non-residents pay $9,248. First-time college students can apply for an opportunity grant when submitting the FAFSA. The New Jersey Community College Opportunity Grant may provide free tuition for this Jersey City LPN program.

7. Central Ohio Technical College

Boasting an 86% pass rate on the LPN licensing exam, Central Ohio Technical College's programs are free to residents of two nearby counties. Income-eligible residents of Coshocton and Knox counties get free tuition (and fees) through Promise programs. The FAFSA must be submitted for consideration. Tuition and fees for the year-long LPN certificate program come to $6,570.

Classes start three times a year on campuses in Knox, Coshocton, Newark, and Pataskala. COTC is one of many online colleges with scholarships.

8. Tennessee College of Applied Technology

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) offers a hybrid LPN program in McMinnville, which is just southeast of Nashville. Its LPN program is a full-time, year-long certificate matched by a traditional in-person program running concurrently. The hybrid program requires in-person attendance twice a week and participation in online classes the other days.

Tuition costs $8,622 for all students, plus $4,000 in books and supplies. Those costs are offset by scholarships, grants, and the Tennessee Promise program, which are all open to state residents qualified through FAFSA. The LPN program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, and the college is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.

9. Lane Community College

Students completing Lane Community College's one-year LPN program in Eugene, OR have a 100% pass rate on the state licensing test. This small community college also offers online classes to enhance scheduling flexibility. Because nursing programs require hands-on evaluations, most remote learning is limited to core prerequisites like biology.

The $16,305 total cost for tuition and fees may be offset by scholarships, which provide $1 million annually to students. Along with submitting the FAFSA for financial aid, each student must apply for scholarships individually. The college offers workshops to help with scholarship strategies and it's among several online colleges with payment plans.

10. South Louisiana Community College

Completing an LPN program at one of the accredited online colleges that accept FAFSA is easier when the institution has options for classes on several campuses. South Louisiana Community College offers an LPN program that can be completed across seven campuses ?and it also includes online courses in synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid modes. Remote courses for LPN students are limited to fundamentals like biology and math, as in-person attendance is required for nursing classes to prepare students for healthcare settings.

Tuition for the four-semester program is $1,607 per semester, a significant portion of which is covered by the M.J. Foster Promise grant program. Students must submit a FAFSA to be eligible for financial aid.

How We Rank Schools

For this list, we found reputable college programs that teach industry-standard skills at a reasonable cost. In addition, each college met the following standards:

• Accreditation: Professionally-led, reputable programs are accredited by regional and national organizations that set the standards for education. Accredited LPN programs allow graduates to take the NCLEX-PN licensure test.
• Flexibility: Student success requires options for working students and career-changing adults. These include part-time, full-time, hybrid, and remote courses that fit the student's needs.
• Financial Aid: Only programs that accept the FAFSA are included. This is the standard in higher education to determine eligibility for grants, loans, and scholarships.

What To Expect from Cheap Online LPN Programs

An LPN certificate program can be a first step on the nursing career ladder, such as becoming a registered nurse. Practical nursing programs teach the basics of nursing care, from taking vital signs to understanding stages of life.

Hybrid or online classes teach the basics of biology, math, and English as foundations for other skills. On the other hand, labs, clinics, and simulated patient care settings are crucial to developing hands-on techniques. Nursing students will learn how to handle technical aspects of equipment and documentation necessary to monitor patient health, gain critical thinking skills to understand changes, and learn to communicate effectively with the patient and the responsible medical personnel.

Coursework in Affordable LPN Programs

Prerequisite classes in English and biology are standard in LPN programs to establish communication skills and basic knowledge of body systems. LPN coursework teaches the foundations of nursing, including the reasons and methods for documentation.

Medical terminology, pharmacology, and an understanding of certain drugs and their doses are important for LPNs. Finally, students learn how to work with different patient populations, like seniors, children, and postpartum mothers.

Common classes in LPN programs include:

• English composition
• math for medical dosage
• fundamentals of nursing
• medical terminology
• adult health

Licensure for LPN Programs

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing established the NCLEX examination to standardize licensure for nursing students across the country. Each student must pass the exam to work as an LPN in their state. The license confirms that the person learned all the necessary information and processes to be an LPN.

Some states have additional licensure requirements or may share licensing endorsements through agreements with other states. For instance, Florida and 25 other states are part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact that requires background checks.

FAQs About Affordable LPN Programs Online

If you're planning a career in nursing, you may have questions about LPN programs. Below, we'll provide answers to some of these common questions.

What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Do?

Patient care is the center of a LPN's job. An LPN cannot diagnose or prescribe treatment, but they can take vital signs, handle intake for doctor's offices, and monitor patients in medical settings.

What Is the Easiest LPN Program To Get Into?

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is the easiest LPN program to get into due to lower admission standards and no waiting list. It requires applicants to be high school graduates, CPR-certified, and to pass the Health Education Systems Inc. (HESI) admissions test with a grade C or above. The test is a four-hour general education test of basic English, grammar, communications, critical thinking, math, chemistry, and biology.

How Much Do Online LPN Programs Cost?

The cost of online LPN programs depends on the location and the college. Public colleges are generally less expensive than private institutions. On average, students can expect to spend $7,400 on tuition and fees for a one-year program, plus up to $2,500 for books, materials, uniforms, and miscellaneous equipment.

Are There Any Accredited Online LPN Programs That Are Affordable?

Affordable accredited online LPN programs can be found all over the country. Community colleges and technical schools are good places to start looking. Colleges with established nursing programs may also offer affordable LPN certificates because the programs overlap.

Explore Online LPN Programs Today

If you want to join the community of healthcare professionals, an LPN certificate program is all you need to get your foot in the door. Use this list and other resources found on Learn.org to find opportunities near you.