More than 80 of Kansas's 105 counties are classified as medically underserved, and LPN vacancies stretch from small critical access hospitals on the western plains to growing outpatient networks in Wichita and the Kansas City metro. That shortage puts practical nursing graduates in a strong hiring position, but Finding Your Place as an LPN still depends on the program you choose. The ranking below sorts Kansas LPN programs by NCLEX-PN pass rate performance, with completion rate and accreditation status as secondary factors. Tuition at state schools ranges from under $3,000 to nearly $10,000, and most certificates finish in 10 to 14 months, so cost and timeline vary more than many applicants expect.
Kansas LPN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-PN Performance (2027)
Passing the NCLEX-PN is the gateway to your LPN career, which is why exam results shape the order of this list. Every Kansas program below is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing, and each card spells out the prerequisites, start dates, clinical expectations and costs you would be signing up for. Where two schools look similar on paper, completion and accreditation are the tie-breakers.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Program completion and retention
- Accreditation standing
- Net price and student debt
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering retention rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Washburn Institute of Technology
Washburn Tech is the technical college arm of Washburn University in Topeka, and its practical nursing certificate is built around direct bedside care: vital signs, sterile technique, patient education and assistance with exams and treatments. Students finish prerequisites in human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, and nutrition, then complete a 47-credit-hour certificate in roughly a year of full-time study. An evening track lets working adults finish in three semesters plus a summer, with day and evening class times that fit around a job. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-PN and move into hospitals, nursing homes and home health roles.
- 47-credit technical certificate completed in about one year
- Evening track finishes in three semesters plus a summer
- Prerequisites in Human Growth and Development, Anatomy and Physiology, and Nutrition
- Approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Day classes meet Monday through Friday, 8am to 2:55pm
- Evening classes meet Monday through Thursday, 5 to 9pm
- Pathway to registered nursing
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Flint Hills Technical College
Flint Hills Technical College in Emporia runs a 10-month practical nursing certificate that blends classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory practice and supervised clinical experiences. Graduates leave ready for entry-level LPN roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and home health settings, caring for patients from newborns to older adults under the direction of registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physicians. The program is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Institution-wide, about 68% of students graduate.
- 10-month technical certificate
- Kansas State Board of Nursing accredited
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Classroom, lab and clinical training
- Fall and spring start dates
- Technical certificate option available
- Clinical placements in home health and long-term care
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Garden City Community College
Garden City Community College anchors practical nursing training in southwest Kansas, pairing classroom work with a high-fidelity simulation lab and clinical rotations that start early and stretch across Western Kansas. The 1+1 ladder structure lets students earn the LPN credential and then step into the Associate Degree in Nursing, and articulation agreements with universities keep that pathway open. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA and a TEAS score of 58.7, and Kansas Promise Scholarship support can cover tuition, fees and books. Institution-wide, about 50% of students graduate.
- 1+1 ladder structure leads to an Associate Degree in Nursing
- High-fidelity simulation lab training
- Early clinical rotations across Western Kansas
- Admission requires a 2.5 GPA and a TEAS score of 58.7
- Kansas Promise Scholarship support can cover tuition, fees and books
- NCLEX prep offered every term
- Open skills lab staffed by peer coaches
- Simulated EHR charting and SBAR handoffs
Practical Nursing (LPN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Manhattan Area Technical College
Manhattan Area Technical College offers a campus-based practical nursing certificate that combines on-campus lectures with clinical rotations at partner healthcare facilities. The curriculum covers relationship-centered care, teamwork, evidence-based practice and safety, alongside fundamentals such as vital signs, sterile dressings, patient education and assisting with examinations and treatments. Prerequisites include anatomy, physiology, nutrition and math, with a minimum grade of C required. The college reports an institution-wide graduation rate of about 74%.
- 46 total credit hours
- Fall start with a summer program orientation
- Prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, nutrition and math
- Minimum grade of C in prerequisite courses
- Clinical rotations at partner healthcare facilities
- $100 non-refundable seat deposit
- On-campus lecture and clinicals
- Financial aid available for those who qualify
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Coffeyville Community College
Coffeyville Community College runs its practical nursing year as the first half of a bi-level PN to ADN track, so graduates can keep working toward registered nursing without leaving southeast Kansas. Admission requires an active Kansas certified nurse aide credential and a pre-admission exam, and the program starts once a year in August. Students learn vital signs, sterile dressing technique, patient education and exam assistance, then go straight into clinic, hospital and long-term care roles. The college reports an institution-wide graduation rate of about 38%.
- One-year certificate that serves as the first year of the ADN track
- Active Certified Nurse Aide certificate required for admission
- Single August start with one application cycle per year
- Approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing
- Pre-admission exam required
- Seamless progression into the second-year registered nursing track
- Technical scholarships available
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Dodge City Community College
Dodge City Community College delivers its practical nurse certificate on campus with weekday clinicals at healthcare facilities around Dodge City and the surrounding region. The certificate is the first year of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, so students can opt out after year one to sit for the NCLEX-PN or continue on to the ADN. The program is nationally accredited by ACEN and approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Institution-wide, about 35% of students graduate.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing
- One-year certificate that is the first year of the AAS in Nursing
- Weekday clinicals in local healthcare settings
- Fall start
- Advanced standing available for LPNs
- Continuing education credits offered
- Financial aid available for those who qualify
Practical Nurse Certification, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
North Central Kansas Technical College
North Central Kansas Technical College, part of the Fort Hays Tech system, offers its practical nursing certificate in Beloit as the first year of a 1+1 nursing program. Small cohorts of 25 to 40 students mean more instructor attention, and clinicals take place at nursing homes, Hays Medical Center and Rooks County Medical Center. Admission is selective and requires an active CNA certification plus a TEAS score of at least 50.0%, with some general education coursework available online. The college reports an institution-wide graduation rate of about 78%.
- Two-semester certificate and the first year of a 1+1 nursing program
- Cohorts of 25 to 40 students
- Clinicals at Hays Medical Center and Rooks County Medical Center
- Active CNA certification required for admission
- TEAS minimum score of 50.0%
- Accredited by ACEN and approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing
- Some general education courses available online
- 1+1 multiple entry and exit structure
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Highland Community College
Highland Community College turns students into licensed practical nurses in nine months through a 45-credit certificate taught at its Technical Center in Atchison. Clinical rotations begin in the first semester, with practice in hospitals, long-term care facilities and physicians' offices, and coursework covers anatomy, pharmacology, adult nursing, maternal child care, mental health and leadership. Cohorts start each fall and spring with 40 seats a year, and admission requires an active CNA certificate plus prerequisite courses. Institution-wide, about 39% of students graduate.
- Nine-month certificate with 45 credit hours
- Starts fall and spring at the Technical Center in Atchison
- Clinical rotations begin in the first semester
- CNA certificate required prior to entry
- 40 seats available each year
- Approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing
- Pathway to RN education
- Fall admission deadline is May 1
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Barton County Community College
Barton Community College offers its 45-credit practical nursing certificate at both the Great Bend and Pratt campuses, with clinical rotations in obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, intensive care and medical-surgical units. Students train in two renovated simulation labs under faculty who still practice, and coursework covers patient care across the lifespan from pre-birth to end of life. The certificate is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and feeds directly into Barton's Associate Degree in Nursing for students who want to continue. Institution-wide, about 33% of students graduate.
- 45-credit certificate completed in two semesters
- Offered at the Great Bend and Pratt campuses
- Clinical rotations in obstetrics, pediatrics, mental health, intensive care and med-surg
- Two fully equipped simulation labs
- Pathway to the Associate Degree in Nursing
- Kansas State Board of Nursing approved
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Barton Nursing Club for networking
Certificate in Practical Nursing (PN) — On-Campus
Neosho County Community College
Neosho County Community College runs its practical nursing certificate through the Mary Grimes School of Nursing on the Chanute and Ottawa campuses. The 39-credit certificate takes about 1.5 years and covers nursing assessment, patient-centered care, pharmacology and professional concepts, with hands-on practicum hours built into the schedule. For students who want to keep going, the college offers a hybrid LPN to RN bridge with August and January starts that blends online coursework with on-campus simulation and clinical visits. Institution-wide, about 34% of students graduate.
- 39-credit certificate completed in about 1.5 years
- Offered on the Chanute and Ottawa campuses
- Housed in the Mary Grimes School of Nursing
- Coursework covers nursing assessment, pharmacology and patient-centered care
- Hybrid LPN to RN bridge with August and January starts
- Hands-on practicum experiences
- Mandatory informational meeting required
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Common Questions About Becoming an LPN in Kansas
Kansas offers a straightforward path into practical nursing, but applicants still have questions about prerequisites, scheduling, and licensure details. Below are answers to the most common questions we hear from prospective LPN students in the state.
What are the typical prerequisites for Kansas LPN programs?
Most Kansas LPN programs require a high school diploma or GED, a passing score on an entrance exam such as the TEAS or HESI A2, current CPR certification, and a clear background check. Some schools also require prerequisite courses in anatomy and physiology or basic math. Exact requirements vary by institution, so check the program's LPN/LVN Program Admissions requirements directly.
Is Kansas part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Kansas is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which means LPNs who hold a multistate license issued by the Kansas State Board of Nursing can practice in other compact states without obtaining a separate license, as outlined in LPN/LVN Reciprocity rules. You must meet uniform licensure requirements, including having Kansas as your primary state of residence, to qualify for a multistate license.
Are there accelerated 6-month LPN programs in Kansas?
True six-month LPN programs are uncommon in Kansas. Most practical nursing certificates require 10 to 14 months of full-time study, including clinical rotations. A handful of programs compress coursework into roughly 11 months, placing them among the Fastest LPN/LVN Programs of 2026, but anything shorter than that is rare. Be cautious of programs advertising dramatically shortened timelines, and verify accreditation and NCLEX-PN pass rates before enrolling.
Do any Kansas LPN programs offer evening or weekend schedules?
Some Kansas nursing programs have historically offered nontraditional scheduling, but availability changes from year to year. As of the 2025 to 2026 academic cycle, JCCC's part-time track is documented as evening and weekend delivery; current offerings at specific schools such as Washburn Tech or Donnelly College are not publicly documented in a way we can verify. Contact each program's admissions office directly for the most current schedule offerings.
What NCLEX-PN pass rate should I look for when choosing a program?
A strong benchmark is a first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate at or above the national average, which sat at 86.60% in 2025 and 88.38% in 2024. Programs consistently exceeding 90 percent signal solid curriculum design and clinical preparation. The Kansas State Board of Nursing publishes program-level pass rate data, so you can compare schools before applying.
Can I use Kansas Promise Act funding for an LPN certificate?
The Kansas Promise Act covers tuition and fees at eligible community and technical colleges for certain certificate and associate degree programs in high-demand fields. Nursing programs may qualify, but whether a specific LPN certificate is included depends on the institution and the approved program list. Check with your school's financial aid office and the Kansas Board of Regents for current eligibility details.
What continuing education does Kansas require for LPN renewal?
The Kansas State Board of Nursing requires LPNs to complete 30 contact hours of approved LPN Continuing Education Units during each two-year renewal cycle. There is an exemption for newly licensed LPNs: if your license expires within 30 months of your initial licensure exam, you are not required to complete the 30 hours for that first renewal. A similar exemption applies if your license expires within nine months of reinstatement or endorsement.
Why NCLEX-PN Pass Rates Drive These Rankings
A program's NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate is simply the percentage of its graduates who pass the licensing exam on their first attempt, and it's the single clearest signal of whether a school actually prepares students for practical nursing work. That's why it carries roughly three-quarters of the weight in the LVN/LPN Programs Ranking Methodology used to order this list, with completion and retention figures plus current accreditation status filling out the remainder.
Where the Numbers Come From
School-level pass rate data comes from the Kansas State Board of Nursing's multi-year NCLEX-PN reporting, cross-referenced against national figures published by the NCSBN. Depending on when a program last reported, we're drawing on either the 2022-2024 or 2023-2025 reporting window, since not every school's most recent cohort results were finalized at the same time.
How Kansas Compares Nationally
Context matters here. Kansas programs posted a statewide first-time pass rate of 92.79% in 2025 and 93.57% in 2024, both comfortably ahead of the national first-time rate for U.S.-educated candidates, which sat at 86.60% in 20251 and 88.38% in 20242. Use that gap as a baseline: a Kansas program hovering near or below the national average is underperforming relative to its in-state peers, even if the raw number looks respectable on its own.
Accreditation Comes First
Before pass rates even factor in, a program has to hold ACEN accreditation or state board approval to be on the list of Accredited LPN and RN Programs in the first place. Kansas regulation sets an 80% first-time pass rate as the minimum standard for programs to remain in good standing, so anything ranked here already clears that bar by a wide margin.
Explore other Kansas related topics
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What LPN School Actually Costs in Kansas
Tuition for Kansas LPN programs ranges widely, from under $3,000 at Johnson County Community College to nearly $10,000 at Manhattan Area Technical College. The table below is sorted from lowest to highest in-state tuition. Note that the average net price column reflects an institution-wide figure reported to the U.S. Department of Education, not an LPN-specific net cost. Your actual out-of-pocket expense will depend on program fees, supplies, and the financial aid you receive. Kansas students should explore the Kansas Promise Act Scholarship, which covers tuition, fees, books, and required materials for practical nursing certificates at eligible community and technical colleges. The scholarship is administered by the Kansas Board of Regents on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early. LPN certificate programs also qualify for federal Pell Grants through FAFSA. Additionally, the Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship provides up to 50 LPN awards statewide each year. A sponsoring healthcare facility contributes a portion, and the state covers the rest, in exchange for a one-year service commitment per year of support. Award amounts have varied between roughly $2,500 and $5,000 per year depending on the funding cycle and sponsor type, so confirm current figures with KBOR before applying.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price (Institution-Wide) | Pell Grant Recipients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park | $2,904 | $5,688 | $14,176 | 74% |
| Coffeyville Community College | Coffeyville | $3,600 | $4,680 | $4,957 | 86% |
| Hutchinson Community College | Hutchinson | $3,840 | $4,770 | $6,727 | 77% |
| Barton County Community College | Great Bend | $4,032 | $4,960 | $9,905 | 80% |
| Seward County Community College | Liberal | $4,160 | $5,408 | $6,717 | 84% |
| Colby Community College | Colby | $4,290 | $5,830 | $7,886 | 73% |
| Neosho County Community College | Chanute | $4,704 | $4,704 | $10,271 | 80% |
| Dodge City Community College | Dodge City | $5,550 | $5,850 | $4,068 | 85% |
| Salina Area Technical College | Salina | $7,128 | $7,128 | $6,468 | 76% |
| WSU Tech | Wichita | $7,237 | $7,237 | $8,805 | 78% |
| Manhattan Area Technical College | Manhattan | $9,844 | $9,844 | $10,074 | 67% |
Expect to Spend 10-14 Months in an LPN Program
Most Kansas LPN programs award a certificate, not an associate degree. That means you can finish in roughly a year, though exact timelines depend on whether you enroll full-time or choose an evening and weekend track. Associate-degree practical nursing pathways do exist at a handful of institutions, but certificate programs dominate the landscape. Here is how the two main formats compare.
Can You Earn an LPN Certificate Online in Kansas?
A laptop can teach you pharmacology math, but it cannot teach you how a real patient's skin feels when circulation is failing. That distinction shapes every online claim you'll encounter while researching practical nursing schools in Kansas.
The Hybrid Reality
Every program in our Kansas ranking, including Manhattan Area Technical College, Salina Area Technical College, JCCC, and WSU Tech, delivers instruction primarily on campus. None currently list a fully online or hybrid delivery format. Didactic coursework, pharmacology, anatomy, med-surg theory, could theoretically move into online LPN programs, but clinical rotations cannot. The Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) requires supervised, in-person patient care hours at approved facilities, and no amount of video simulation substitutes for that requirement.
Why Out-of-State "Online LPN" Ads Are Risky
You'll see national for-profit sites advertising online LPN certificates that promise Kansas eligibility. Be skeptical. If a program's clinical placement network doesn't already have KSBN-approved sites in your area, you may finish coursework with no way to complete required hours, or discover the credential doesn't qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-PN in Kansas at all.
Geographic Flexibility Has Real Limits
Even a legitimate hybrid LPN program built around Kansas doesn't mean you can live anywhere in the state and log in from home. KSBN must individually approve each clinical site, which means your campus needs an existing partnership with a hospital or long-term care facility near you. Before enrolling in anything marketed as online, confirm directly with the school, and ideally with KSBN, that clinical placement is guaranteed in your region, not just theoretically possible.
KSBN Licensure: From Graduation to Your Kansas LPN License
Once you complete a Kansas-approved practical nursing program, the path to your LPN license follows a clear sequence through the Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN). Budget roughly $307 to $357 in total fees depending on whether you choose a single-state or multistate license. Kansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, so graduates who qualify for a multistate license can practice in 40+ compact states without obtaining additional licensure.
LPN Wages Across Kansas: Metro and Rural Breakdowns
Kansas LPNs earn a statewide median of $55,610 per year, which edges above the national LPN median of roughly $55,860 reported by BLS, putting the state on par with the broader market. Where you work within Kansas matters, though. Metro areas such as Topeka and Kansas City tend to pay higher hourly rates, while rural and nonmetropolitan regions come in several dollars lower per hour. The Kansas Department of Labor projects roughly 6 percent job growth for LPNs between 2022 and 2032, with an estimated 5,872 annual openings statewide when retirements and turnover are factored in. That combination of competitive wages and steady demand makes practical nursing a reliable career bet across the state. Keep in mind that these figures represent occupational wages for working LPNs. Program-level graduate earnings, which reflect what completers of a specific school's program earn in the year after finishing, are a separate data point and may be higher or lower depending on employer, shift differentials, and geographic placement.
| Area | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage | Total Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas (statewide) | $26.70 | $55,610 | 6,560 |
| Topeka, KS metro | $26.58 | N/A | N/A |
| Kansas City, MO/KS metro | $25.94 | $54,700 | 4,070 |
| Lawrence, KS metro | $25.46 | N/A | N/A |
| Wichita, KS metro | $24.67 | $51,810 | 2,160 |
| Kansas nonmetropolitan areas | $23.00 | $47,060 | 2,210 |
Choosing the Right Kansas LPN Program for Your Situation
The practical nursing market in Kansas has moved past the era of choosing the closest campus; outcomes now drive the decision. Start with the ranked list above and pull the two or three programs that fit your geography and budget, then compare them on four factors before you send an application.
Compare Programs on Four Factors
- NCLEX-PN pass rate: Weigh first-time performance heavily because it predicts how well the curriculum prepares you for licensure.
- Net price: Use the cost table to compare total certificate costs after typical aid, not just sticker tuition; the Most Affordable LPN/LVN Programs list can help you spot a competitive net price.
- Location and clinical commute: Check where clinical rotations actually happen; a campus close to home can still require driving to sites across town.
- Schedule flexibility: Evening, weekend, or part-time tracks matter if you plan to work while enrolled.
Use Accreditation as a Hard Filter
Before comparing anything else, confirm each program is ACEN accredited or Kansas Board of Nursing approved. An unaccredited program can put your NCLEX-PN eligibility at risk, and the time and money spent may not transfer to an LPN/LVN bridge program or Kansas LPN to RN/BSN program later. This filter applies before cost or pass rates because it determines whether you can even sit for the exam.
Build a Side-by-Side Shortlist
Pull three programs from the ranked list and write the pass rate, net cost, commute distance, and schedule options in one row each. If one program has a lower pass rate but a much lower net price, decide whether the savings justify the added licensure risk. Revisit the KSBN licensure walkthrough to confirm each program's graduates meet the state's application requirements, then apply to the two that create the least friction on cost, schedule, and clinical travel. If crossing into a higher wage metro for clinicals or work, check the salary breakdown above to see whether the pay difference offsets the extra travel.
