8 Best LPN Programs in Massachusetts | Accredited Online LPN Programs 2025

A career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can be very rewarding. However, to start this career, you will need to complete an accredited LPN education program, earn your practical nursing certificate, and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Even though community colleges in Massachusetts do not offer any accredited online LPN programs, they do have hybrid options, meaning a mix between in-person and online classes. The reason none of the programs are 100% online is that you need to complete in-person clinicals, an experience that builds the necessary skills for passing the NCLEX-PN.

Accredited LPN Programs Online in Massachusetts

Online accredited LPN programs don't need to be difficult to find. We give you an overview of LPN schools online in addition to some part-time LPN programs and hybrid LPN programs in Massachusetts that combine LPN online classes with in-person learning. Check out best online LPN programs in Massachusetts below.

1. Greenfield Community College

Greenfield Community College offers students one of the best LPN programs in the state of Massachusetts, with graduating classes often achieving a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN first time. This course is in-person only, and it consists of basic educational prerequisites and specialized nursing training in addition to clinical experiences.

On average, nursing students need at least 25 to 30 hours each week of on-campus class time and additional time to study to succeed in the program. Applications are accepted once a year in early fall, and scholarships are available to qualified students. Greenfield Community College only charges tuition by the semester, and for LPN students, the cost is $1,448 per semester.

2. MassBay Community College

MassBay Community College's practical nursing program is completed over 40 weeks, starting in the fall of each year and ending in June. The school's main focus is teaching students critical thinking and the fundamentals of practical nursing, in addition to educating students on how to utilize the nursing process to collect data about patients and properly plan patient care.

Upon graduation, students will be prepared to take the NCLEX-PN, meet licensing requirements, and secure an entry-level position in practical nursing. The cost of an LPN program at MassBay is reasonable at $244 per credit hour, with 44 credit hours required for graduation.

3. Holyoke Community College

At Holyoke Community College, LPN students can enroll in a hybrid nursing program. This school offers many online courses for LPN students, which tend to be part of the core curriculum and fundamentals of nursing. Students will also have to attend in-person clinical training to get hands-on experience that teaches them to provide exemplary nursing care.

You can browse Holyoke Community College's online course offerings to see which of the practical nursing program's curriculum is eligible to be taken fully online or with a hybrid element. Credit hours at this college are charged at a rate of $407 per hour, which includes a distance learning fee. LPN students must also pay additional fees depending on the classes they are enrolled in each semester.

4. Quincy College

Quincy College offers a Practical Nursing Certification program that is mostly in-person learning, though students have the option to take select general education and fundamental LPN online classes. Online LPN programs may have a clinical element where students are required to show up on-campus, or they may be fully online, depending on the program.

This program is designed to be completed in three semesters (fall, spring, and summer) when taken full-time, and the school has an 88% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN. Tuition for the LPN program at Quincy College is $333 per credit hour, with discounts available for military and veteran students.

5. North Shore Community College

Before enrolling in the practical nursing certification program at North Shore Community College, potential students must first attend an information session about the requirements and expected outcomes of the program. Most of the classes required for this program are offered in person, as are clinical experiences, but some of the fundamental and core courses are available online or in a hybrid format.

This program is especially convenient for adults looking to further their education or change careers, as Massachusetts allows any individual with a bachelor's degree to attend this college for free. The free tuition is especially helpful for those who wish to become an LPN but require a lower-cost or no-cost program to do so. If you don't qualify for this program, tuition is $223 per credit hour.

6. Northern Essex Community College

Approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, the LPN program at Northern Essex Community College (NECC) is designed to be completed within a year. Students will be ready to take the NCLEX-PN upon graduation, or they can utilize the credits earned through this program to continue their education for an associate degree in nursing at NECC or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) at another Massachusetts College.

This program combines on-campus classroom learning, clinical experiences at healthcare facilities, and laboratory work to help students become well-rounded in the LPN career field and pass their NCLEX-PN exam. Health programs at this college have a slightly higher cost per credit hour than other majors, and LPN students can expect to pay $346 per credit hour.

7. Mount Wachusett Community College

Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) offers a seven-course program for students interested in becoming LPNs. These seven courses are completed over three semesters (spring, fall, and summer), and the program is smaller than others in the area. This means that admission is very competitive, and the program requirements are more selective.

Graduating students from the MWCC LPN program have a pass rate on the NCLEX-PN of 80% or higher, and 70% of graduates report finding a job in the nursing field or becoming part of a healthcare team within 12 months of graduation. Similar to Greenfield Community College, costs for the LPN programs are charged by the semester at a rate of $1,950 per semester.

8. Quinsigamond Community College

Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) offers a five-semester practical nursing certificate program for students interested in pursuing their LPN career. This is slightly longer than some of the programs on our list, but this full-time program can be the right fit for someone who isn't in a rush to start practicing as an LPN.

While some basic LPN courses in this program may be completed online, QCC lists this program as having less than 50% of coursework available online. Most of the training received is on-campus in classrooms or laboratory and clinical settings. At this college, your LPN certificate program will cost $1,385 per semester.

Our Selection Criteria

When it comes to finding online accredited LPN programs and reputable in-person or hybrid LPN programs, it's important to keep the right considerations in mind. We used the following selection criteria to gather the best LPN programs around the state of Massachusetts.

• Length of program: Keeping the length of an LPN program in mind is essential, as many people want to complete their program as soon as possible. We've selected LPN programs that range between 10 months to a year in length.
• Online classes: Not every LPN program can include online classes, but we've selected colleges that have hybrid options and offer some fully online core courses as part of their LPN programs.
• NCLEX-PN pass rate: We've kept the NCLEX-PN pass rate in mind for each of our colleges, as a higher pass rate on the first time is generally associated with better curriculum and teaching quality.
• Accreditation: The colleges on our list are all approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

What To Expect From a Licensed Practical Nurse Program

Online accredited LPN programs will generally offer students the option to take most of their lecture-based classes online, either meeting at a designated time virtually or working through the recorded lectures asynchronously. Typically, required LPN courses that are available online are fundamentals, such as entry-level biology, anatomy, and psychology courses.

Every LPN program will have a clinical component that needs to be completed on-campus or in an in-person clinical setting. This is essential to complete your certificate program and be fully prepared for the NCLEX-PN.

Fast-Track LPN Programs in Massachusetts

An accelerated LPN program can be completed in as little as six or nine months. These are typically taken by students trying to switch careers quickly or someone who wants to start their practice as an LPN as soon as possible.

None of the colleges on our list offer a six-month LPN program or a nine-month LPN program, but many offer 10-month LPN programs. A few colleges on our list offer a 12-month LPN program for students who would like to complete their studies at a slower pace.

Read More: Shortest Time To Become a Licensed Practical Nurse

FAQs About Accredited Online LPN Programs in Massachusetts

If you're interested in LPN programs in Massachusetts, you might have some questions. We discuss frequently asked questions below to give you some answers about these programs.

What Is the Easiest LPN Program To Get Into in Massachusetts?

Most of the LPN programs in Massachusetts are easy to get into as long as you meet basic requirements. However, according to U.S. News & World Report, MassBay Community College is the easiest to get into since it has an open enrollment policy. This means that as long as you meet entry-level requirements for the LPN program, you will be accepted.

How Much Does an Online LPN Program Cost?

An online LPN program varies in cost depending on the length of the program and the college administering your program. On average, Massachusetts LPN programs cost between $12,000 and $20,000 to complete. Online LPN programs and hybrid programs tend to be cheaper, coming in closer to the $5,000 to $15,000 range.

What Are the Financial Aid Options for LPN Students in Massachusetts?

The majority of Massachusetts community colleges accept the FAFSA, which helps to determine your eligibility for federal and school-level financial aid. Some community colleges also have free tuition programs, such as North Shore Community College. You can also look for workforce development programs that aim to make your LPN program as affordable as possible.

To lower the cost of your degree, you can look for cheap online colleges that accept financial aid and those that offer scholarships to LPN students.

Explore Online Healthcare and LPN Programs

Online courses for LPN training are often combined with in-person clinical and laboratory training to give nursing students all of the education they need to pass their licensing exam and start working in this field. Whether you are searching for part-time LPN programs, online programs, or hybrid programs, Learn.org has all of the information you need about online healthcare and LPN programs, so you can find the best option for your needs.