Best Online LPN Programs of 2025
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) aid healthcare teams, providing basic forms of care and ensuring the comfort and security of their patients. The profession maintains low barriers to entry and offers an accessible pathway to more advanced nursing careers.
This overview of the best online LPN programs highlights both affordability and quality. Use it to launch your program search, and to compare options from schools that serve online students.
Degree at a Glance
- Typical Program Length: 12-18 months (typically three semesters)
- Typical Admission Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; some schools request or require Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam scores
- Top Skills Gained: Basic clinical nursing, basic pharmacology, basic diagnostic testing, patient evaluation, wound care, medication administration
The Top LPN Programs Online
Lake Area Technical College — Best LPN Program for Strong ROI and Career Outcomes
- Watertown, SD
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: 99% Placement Rate and a 4-Month ROI For Graduates
Lake Area offers a hybrid LPN program with strong job outcomes, including a 99% job placement rate. The advertised return on investment (ROI) — the time it takes to earn back the cost of your education — is four months, on average. The flexible hybrid model includes online coursework, on-campus labs, and clinical hours in short, concentrated blocks to minimize travel. The 45-credit program is accredited by the ACEN and the South Dakota Board of Nursing.
Total Cost:
Full Time | $16,450
Part Time | $15,861
Why Students Choose Lake Area:
- Strong Outcomes: Lake Area advertises a four-month ROI and 99% job placement rate.
- Hybrid Flexibility: The hybrid format combines online courses with clinicals condensed into short, on-campus sessions.
- Full-Time and Part-Time Options: You can choose from 11-month and 18-month e-degree pathways.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Automatic acceptance is limited to residents of South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, or Minnesota.
- The program meets licensure requirements in South Dakota and other states, but check with your state’s nursing board before enrolling.
50%
$3,720
83%
$3,720
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 2,179
- Institution Type
- Public
Holmes Community College — Most Affordable LPN Program for All Online Students
- Goodman, MS
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Cheapest In-State and Out-of-State Tuition Costs for Online Students
Holmes Community College offers a hybrid practical nursing program with competitive tuition rates and flexible schedules. The 45-credit program runs over five consecutive semesters (about two years) and prepares entry-level LPNs for healthcare roles across Mississippi’s nine-county service area. Coursework combines online lectures with in-person labs and clinicals.
Total Cost:
In-State | $7,965
Out-of-State | $14,400
Why Students Choose Holmes:
- Affordable Tuition: Mississippi residents pay about $177 per credit, while non-residents pay $320 per credit.
- Rigorous Preparation: Holmes offers intensive exam preparation and a strict 90% drug calculation mastery requirement.
- Train Locally: Students complete hands-on clinicals in Mississippi healthcare settings.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Clinicals must be completed in Mississippi.
- New hybrid cohorts begin every other fall in even-numbered years
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN, but the program is not ACEN-accredited.
58%
$2,700
56%
$5,400
- Acceptance Rate
- N/A
- Students Enrolled
- 4,959
- Institution Type
- Public
Montana State University Billings — Most Intensive Full-Time LPN With Multiple Degree Pathways
- Billings, MT
- 2 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Full-Time, Immersive Focus With Built-In LPN-to-Degree Pathways
MSU Billings' certificate of applied science (CAS) in practical nursing program prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-PN in just three semesters and become an LPN. The program is mostly online, with clinicals arranged locally and limited on-campus visits. Designed for full-time study, it provides a fast-track into nursing while providing direct pathways to an ASN and BSN at the same institution.
Total Cost:
In-State | $13,770
Out-of-State | $23,130
Why Students Choose MSU Billings:
- Advance Seamlessly: Transition into ASN or BSN programs within the same institution.
- Hybrid Flexibility: Balance online coursework with minimal on-campus requirements.
- Stay Local: Complete clinicals in Montana communities, reducing the need to relocate.
Know Before You Enroll:
- The program’s intensive schedule makes simultaneous full-time employment unrealistic.
- You must first be admitted to City College at MSU Billings and complete prerequisites before applying to the PN program.
- Admission to the PN, ASN, and BSN programs is competitive.
61%
$ 4,805
56%
$19,304
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 4,092
- Institution Type
- Public
Price Check
According to Payscale data from August 2025, entry-level LPN salaries average $45,490 per year. Given the short length of online LPN programs, this earning potential positions you to earn an immediate return on investment on your education.
Why Become an LPN?
The best online LPN programs serve as an efficient point of entry to the nursing profession. They have minimal admission requirements, and the LPN designation is easy to upgrade. You can become a registered nurse (RN) with an LPN-to-RN bridge program. From there, you can pursue an RN-to-BSN pathway if you want to advance your career even further.
May 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts 3% job growth for LPNs from 2024 to 2034. The median LPN salary in 2024 was $62,340.
What to Expect From an Online LPN Program
The best online LPN programs offer:
- Efficient and affordable training opportunities
- Compact, skills-focused curricula
- State approval for LPN licensing
Programs usually take 44-53 semester credits, including clinical requirements. Expect even online LPN programs to have hands-on components that you must complete in person. The “online” program descriptor applies only to your classroom-based training.
Many nursing schools offer career services and work placement support that can help you land a job after you become fully qualified. Consult the section below for more information on the licensing process.
LPN Licensing and Certification Requirements
The exact requirements you must fulfill to become licensed as a practical nurse vary by state. However, two common elements define the process in most cases. First, you must graduate from a state-approved practical nursing program. Then, you must pass the NCLEX-PN examination.
The best online LPN programs always hold state approval, and this is a point you should double check before applying to any nursing school. Your state’s nursing board will maintain an up-to-date list of approved LPN programs.
Find your state’s nursing board through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Ways to Save on an LPN Program
Many of the best online LPN programs allow you to work while in nursing school, which can make costs more manageable. The following strategies may also help:
Compare Schools: Tuition rates for LPN programs can vary significantly. Consult your state’s nursing board for a list of approved programs, then spend time researching your options and prioritize approved programs with the lowest costs.- Look for Nursing Scholarships: Scholarships for nursing students directly reduce your costs while helping you avoid debt. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing maintains a scholarship and financial aid database you can use to explore LPN funding opportunities.
- Seek Employer Assistance: Some employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement programs to healthcare professionals. If you already work in a healthcare role and want to become an LPN, see if employer assistance is available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Programs
May 2024 BLS data indicates a median annual salary of $62,340 per year for licensed practical nurses. Some employment settings have higher pay rates: For example, LPNs working for government agencies earned a median salary of $66,370 per year, and those employed in nursing or residential care facilities had a median salary of $64,170 per year.
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