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Best 15 LPN Programs in North Carolina in 2024

January 26, 2024 | Admin

A favorable job market awaits all who graduate from a Licensed Practical Nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Employment opportunities can be found in hospitals, physicians offices, in home care, in rehabilitation or long term care facilities, and clinics. LPNs are a valuable part of a healthcare team and are trained to provide excellent patient care.

What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse Do?

Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse is the first step in becoming a nurse. This is an opportunity to practice nursing under the direction of a qualified health professional such as a registered nurse or physician. As a member of a healthcare team, the LPN will perform such tasks as supervising nurses assistants or aides, administering prescribed medications, and observing, recording, and reporting changes in a patient’s condition. 

Top 5 LPN Programs in North Carolina

What is the Career Outlook for LPNs?

LPNs have a median annual wage of $46,040 or $22.13 per hour in the Durham-Chapel Hill area. There are 1,390 annual job openings in North Carolina. If you don’t wish to stay in North Carolina, jobs can be found all over the country or even in other parts of the world. If you don’t want to stop with an LPN, you can keep going for an Associate’s degree in nursing or even a Bachelor’s degree in nursing to advance your career. 

What are the Best LPN Programs in NC?

We have put together a list of schools that offer LPN programs in NC and ranked the top 15 schools. We used tuition cost for the entire program (lowest is best), enrollment (highest is best), and program length (fewest credits is best) to rank the schools. Read on to explore our rankings of the best LPN programs in North Carolina below.

The 15 Best LPN Programs in NC

1

Coastal Carolina Community College

  • Jacksonville, NC

Study near the ocean at Coastal Carolina Community College. This Practical Nursing program, which offers a diploma, is a limited enrollment program, so put your best foot forward when applying. Students working in the program learn from knowledgeable staff and by working together with peers. Working as a team is very important in this profession, as LPNs work under registered nurses or physicians. The student-to-faculty ratio at the school is 14 to 1.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,116
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $10,988 per year
Enrollment: 3,797
Program Length: 41 credit hours
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2

Vance-Granville Community College

  • Henderson, NC

There are several options for students who would like to pursue an LPN degree at Vance-Granville Community College. Choose the stand-alone LPN program or the LPN to ADN Transition program. The LPN program admits students each fall. It is a selective program, so be sure to apply early. Also, be aware that there is a separate application that is needed in addition to the regular college application. A pre-health advisor can help you complete an Eligibility Checklist once the college application has been completed.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,116
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $10,988
Enrollment: 3,158
Program Length: 41 credit hours
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3

Wayne Community College

  • Goldsboro, NC

Make a difference by studying to be an LPN at Wayne Community College. The curriculum will prepare students to care for both children and adults. Learn in the classroom as well as in a laboratory and also participate in clinical practice. Average class sizes are only 15-20 students, making it easy to find individualized attention. Admission to this program is limited, so apply early. All students must maintain a C or better in the curriculum courses to progress in the program.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,192
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $11,256
Enrollment: 2,948
Program Length: 42 credit hours
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4

Montgomery Community College

  • Troy, NC

The Practical Nursing program at Montgomery Community College will take nine months to complete full-time. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN. While studying in the program, students will participate in 480 clinical hours under the direction of an RN in a clinical setting. This will help to teach students how to perform tasks such as providing nutrition and treatments, give medications, perform assessments, and provide quality direct care to patients.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $2,432
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $8,576
Enrollment: 918
Program Length: 34 credit hours
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5

Durham Technical Community College

  • Durham, NC

It takes a team to care for patients, and the Licensed Practical Nurse program at Durham Technical Community College prepares students to work together. It also teaches students how to provide the best care for the holistic individual. Skills such as supervising nurses’ aides or assistants, administering prescribed medications, and observing, charting, and reporting changes occurring in a patients’ condition are all taught in this program.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,344
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $11,792
Enrollment: 5,665
Program Length: 44 credit hours
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6

Gaston College

  • Dallas, NC

Gaston College offers a Practical Nursing diploma. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Education and graduates are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN. Through coursework, students learn about healthcare, nursing practices, and how to provide care for each individual. There is an emphasis on safety and improving quality of life. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,344
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $11,792
Enrollment: 5,655
Program Length: 44 credit hours
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7

Surry Community College

  • Dobson, NC

Students studying the Practical Nursing curriculum at Surry Community College learn about nursing care under the direction of a registered nurse. Applicants must complete the PSB Test, as well as other general requirements before applying. Students can turn in application materials by either June 15th or September 15th, depending on the desired start date. Employment prospects are good for program graduates. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,224
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $11,480
Enrollment: 3,382
Program Length: 46 credit hours
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8

Cleveland Community College

  • Shelby, NC

Students who receive the Practical Nursing Diploma at Cleveland Community College go on to work in physician’s offices, long-term care facilities, hospitals, and clinics. Some students also continue on with their nursing education. The program content emphasizes providing care that is safe and personalized for each patient. Students also learn how to work as valuable members of a team and provide quality care.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,268
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $11,524 per year
Enrollment: 2,536
Program Length: 43 credit hours
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9

Brunswick Community College

  • Bolivia, NC

Those who study practical nursing at Brunswick Community College focus on nursing practice, healthcare, and the holistic individual. Students learn how to combine safety and quality into their care for patients as well as how to meet the needs of the patient. Learn how to work as a team and improve the quality of life for those you care for. Graduates can apply to take the NCLEX-PN, which is necessary to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,268
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $11,524 per year
Enrollment: 1,585
Program Length: 43 credit hours
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10

College of The Albemarle

  • Elizabeth City, NC

Learn to care for both children and adults by completing the Practical Nursing program at College of The Albemarle. After graduating, apply to take the NCLEX-PN. After working for a year with a restricted license, also consider coming back to apply to the Associate Degree Nursing program, which is offered through the LPN-ADN Options program. The job outlook is promising for LPNs and the program can be completed in one year if taking fall, spring, and summer classes.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,344
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $11,792
Enrollment: 2,587
Program Length: 44 credit hours
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11

Cape Fear Community College

  • Wilmington, NC

Take the first step in becoming a nurse by enrolling in the Practical Nursing program at Cape Fear Community College. The program is accredited by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and graduates can apply to take the NCLEX-PN. Students will study how to provide direct care to clients under the supervision of a licensed physician, registered nurse, or licensed dentist. Learn how to be a valuable asset to the health care team by planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. The program can be completed in 12 months if studying full-time.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,572
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $12,596
Enrollment: 8,629
Program Length: 47 credit hours
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12

Lenoir Community College

  • Kinston, NC

Both general education courses and nursing courses are part of the Practical Nursing program at Lenoir Community College. Students take courses in English, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Natural Science/Math in addition to the core classes in nursing. The program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,420
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $12,060
Enrollment: 2,526
Program Length: 45 credit hours
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13

McDowell Technical Community

  • Marion, NC

There are many nursing programs available at McDowell Technical Community College, including the Practical Nursing diploma. This is a selective program, only admitting 24 students to the daytime program and 20 students to the evening/weekend program. Students learn how to assess medical situations, and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-PN.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,420
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $12,060
Enrollment: 1,136
Program Length: 45 credit hours
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14

Davidson-Davie Community College

  • Thomasville, NC

Students who know they do not want to stop with an LPN can consider enrolling in the LPN to ADN Option a Davidson-Davie Community College. This is one of three options within the Associate Degree of Nursing program at the school. The others are the Traditional ADN and the RIBN. All programs are approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. Note that the program length is longer for this option because, in the end, the student will obtain an Associate Degree in Nursing.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $5,244
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $18,492
Enrollment: 3,734
Program Length: 69 credit hours
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15

Bladen Community College

  • Dublin, NC

The Practical Nursing program at Bladen Community College prepares students to be able to provide nursing care to adults and children. Students will learn how to plan, assess, implement, and evaluate nursing care. Once a student graduates, they can apply to take the NCLEX-PN, which is a requirement for employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Those who complete the program go on to work in clinics, physicians’ offices, rehab, long-term care homes, and hospitals.

School Overview

Resident Program Tuition: $3,572
Non-Resident Program Tuition: $12,596
Enrollment: 1,226
Program Length: 47 credit hours
Visit School Website

Still not sure which LPN program in North Carolina may be best for you? Use our degree finder tool to help view all of your options.

Our Ranking Methodology

We found tuition and information about program length on each school’s website. We obtained enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics. We used resident tuition rates where available. Where tuition was listed by credit, we multiplied by the total credit hours needed to complete the program to get the tuition. 

We first sorted the list by tuition, then enrollment, and then program length. We assigned 15 points to each school for each category. We added all three scores together for ranking.

Error With Your Ranking?

If you are an employee with one of the schools we ranked and you noticed that we made an error with the information used for your ranking, please feel free to contact us so that we can fix the problem.

Find the program that’s right for you

Whether you’re trying to start your career or make a big change, we can help you find the perfect school to help you reach your goals.

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