Best LPN Programs in Indianapolis 2026

Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Indianapolis, Indiana with information on schools, curriculum, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Indianapolis area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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Indianapolis Indiana LPN programs providing nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles

2026 Best LPN Programs in Indianapolis, IN

If you're looking to start a rewarding career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Indianapolis, finding the right program is a key first step. At practicalnursing.org, we've carefully reviewed and ranked the best LPN programs in the area to help you make a smart choice. Our rankings highlight schools that offer strong education, good support for students, and solid paths to getting your license. We focus on what really matters for your future in nursing. Check out our full list to see which programs stand out and why we think they're top picks for aspiring LPNs in Indianapolis. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN - Public 2-Year - ivytech.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Ivy Tech Community College's Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing offers a one-year accelerated path to LPN licensure. Through hands-on clinical rotations and simulation labs, students develop essential nursing competencies for diverse healthcare environments like hospitals and home health. This cost-effective program provides strong employment prospects, with graduates eligible for various nursing positions. As an undergraduate certificate, it does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams.

  • One-year Technical Certificate
  • Pathway to LPN career
  • Clinical skills training
  • Multiple healthcare job options
  • Potential Next Level Jobs funding
*Institutional data extracted from: IPEDS 2023, NCES.

Indianapolis LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in Indianapolis by delivering hands-on patient care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. LPNs support medication administration, wound care, monitoring of vital signs, and patient education across the city’s major health systems and care settings, including large hospitals such as IU Health facilities, Eskenazi Health, Community Health Network, Ascension St. Vincent, the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, as well as numerous state-licensed nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics.

Employment demand for LPNs in the Indianapolis area is steady, driven by an aging population, post-acute and long-term care needs, and expanding home and community-based services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports continued employment growth for LPNs over the coming decade, with most jobs in nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals, and additional opportunities in physicians’ offices and home health.

Indianapolis LPN programs are designed to prepare students for practical nursing roles in these settings through a mix of classroom instruction, skills labs, and supervised clinical rotations at local facilities. Typical timelines include:

  • Full-time programs that can be completed in about 12 months, covering foundational nursing courses, pharmacology, and clinical practice.
  • Part-time or evening/weekend options, when available, often spanning 18 to 24 months, depending on prerequisite sequencing and clinical placement schedules.

All Indiana practical nursing programs are approved and LPN licensure is overseen by the Indiana State Board of Nursing. Indianapolis programs align curricula with the NCLEX-PN test plan and guide graduates through licensure steps that include completion of an approved program, criminal background checks, application for Authorization to Test, and successful passage of the NCLEX-PN.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Indianapolis

The healthcare employment landscape in Indianapolis, Indiana, presents a robust and active market for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The city is experiencing healthy job growth in the healthcare sector, particularly in ambulatory healthcare services. Nationally, the demand for LPNs is projected to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations, driven by an aging population and increasing demand for healthcare. This trend is clearly reflected in Indianapolis, where LPNs play a crucial role across diverse healthcare settings.

As of May 2023 (latest available data), the mean hourly wage for an LPN in Indianapolis is $28.60, with a mean annual wage of $59,480. Salaries typically range from $25.92 (25th percentile) to $30.40 (75th percentile) per hour. The LPN job market in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas is considered very active.

LPNs in Indianapolis find employment opportunities across a wide range of healthcare facilities:

  • Assisted Living and Senior Living Facilities/Nursing Homes:These facilities are significant employers of LPNs, driven by the rapidly aging Baby Boomer population. LPNs provide quality care, administer medications, perform wound care, monitor vital signs, and assist with daily tasks. Notable employers include American Senior Communities and Trilogy Health Services.
  • Home Health Agencies:The demand for home health services is increasing significantly. LPNs provide skilled nursing functions and deliver care to patients in their homes under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Agencies such as Elara Caring and BAYADA Home Health Care actively hire LPNs for home health services in the Indianapolis area.
  • Hospitals:LPNs are employed in various hospital departments, including acute rehabilitation units, medical observation units, and long-term care units within hospital systems. They provide basic nursing care, assist with patient examinations and procedures, and work under the direction of Registered Nurses or physicians.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:Both acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and community rehabilitation hospitals hire LPNs to provide specialized treatment for patients recovering from severe injuries or illnesses. For example, Community Rehabilitation Hospital North and South utilize LPNs.
  • Private Practices/Clinics:LPNs work in physicians’ offices, specialty clinics (e.g., neurology, rheumatology, family medicine, medical oncology), and urgent care centers. Their duties can include back-office coordination, assisting practitioners with examinations, administering medications and injections, and managing patient flow. WellNow Urgent Care is one such provider.
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers:LPNs play a vital role in medication assisted treatment (MAT) programs, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, supporting therapy sessions, and educating patients on recovery strategies. The Indianapolis Comprehensive Treatment Center is an employer in this field.
  • Developmental Disabilities Wellness:Facilities providing support and services to individuals with developmental disabilities also hire LPNs.
  • Plasma Centers:LPNs are needed at plasma donation centers to qualify donors, determine eligibility, manage adverse events, and ensure quality and service standards are met. BioLife Plasma Services is an employer in this area.
  • Mobile Health Units:Some organizations, such as Indiana Health Centers, Inc., employ LPNs for their mobile health units.

Several major healthcare systems and networks are prominent employers of LPNs in Indianapolis and the surrounding region:

  • Indiana University Health (IU Health)is a leading healthcare system in Indianapolis, employing LPNs in various facilities and specialties.
  • Ascensionoffers LPN openings in Indianapolis, particularly in long-term care and assisted living settings.
  • Community Health Networkprovides a variety of healthcare roles, including positions for LPNs.
  • American Senior Communities and Trilogy Health Services are significant employers for LPNs, especially in assisted living and long-term care facilities.
  • Elara Caring is a home health agency actively hiring LPNs for home health services.
  • WellNow Urgent Care operates in Indiana and other states, hiring LPNs for clinical roles.

Smaller facilities and networks also contribute significantly to LPN employment, often specializing in areas like home health, rehabilitation, or senior care. These include local nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and private physician groups throughout Indianapolis and nearby communities such as Greenwood, Carmel, Avon, and Beech Grove.

List of LPN Programs in Indianapolis, IN

If you are looking for LPN programs in Indianapolis, IN, you can find a list of schools and their programs in the table below. It shows the city and state for each school, highlights key features of the programs, and provides links to the school's program page for more details. This can help you compare options and choose the right fit for your nursing career.
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Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • One-year Technical Certificate
    • Pathway to LPN career
    • Clinical skills training
    • Multiple healthcare job options
    • Potential Next Level Jobs funding
*U.S. Department of Education institutional data (IPEDS 2023).