Best LPN Programs in Baltimore 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Baltimore, Maryland with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Baltimore 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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Baltimore Maryland LPN programs providing nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles

2026 Best LPN Programs in Baltimore, MD

If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Baltimore, MD, finding the right program is key to starting your career strong. At practicalnursing.org, we have carefully looked at the best LPN programs in the area to help you choose one that fits your needs. Our rankings focus on things like how well students do on exams, job placement rates, and how much the programs cost. We aim to give you clear, reliable information so you can make a smart decision about your education. Check out our detailed rankings to see which schools stand out and why they made the list. For more on how we put together these rankings, visit https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/.
#1

Carroll Community College

Westminster, MD - Public 2-Year - carrollcc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Carroll Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate program in Westminster, MD, prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam with a 60-credit curriculum emphasizing patient-centered care and teamwork. Admission requires a minimum 2.500 GPA from pre-clinical courses, and science prerequisites must be completed within five years of clinical start. The program, approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, covers health assessment, medication administration, and nursing concepts, ensuring graduates are ready for entry-level nursing roles. Selective admission and a minimum grade of C in nursing courses maintain program quality.

  • 60 credits required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam
  • Minimum GPA 2.500 for admission
  • Science courses within 5 years
  • Approved by Maryland Board of Nursing
  • Campus-based program
  • Includes health assessment training
  • Covers medication administration
  • Focuses on nursing concepts
  • Patient-centered care emphasis
#2

Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore, MD - Public 2-Year - bccc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Baltimore City Community College's one-year Practical Nursing Certificate program delivers focused preparation for the NCLEX-PN exam, equipping students with essential skills to work under RNs and primary care providers across diverse healthcare environments. The curriculum, approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, emphasizes hands-on lab experiences and small class sizes led by experienced instructors, fostering practical nursing proficiency and team-based care. With a prerequisite in computer literacy, this campus-based program efficiently readies graduates for entry into the nursing field, blending theoretical knowledge with real-world application.

  • One-year program duration.
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
  • Approved by Maryland Board of Nursing.
  • Small class sizes.
  • Hands-on lab experiences.
  • Experienced instructors.
  • Campus-based program.
  • Focus on practical nursing skills.
  • Team-based healthcare approach.
  • Computer literacy prerequisite.
#3

Harford Community College

Bel Air, MD - Public 2-Year - harford.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Harford Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is a 12-month campus-based program that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam. The curriculum includes 41 credit hours covering medical-surgical, mental health, and maternal-pediatric nursing, with comprehensive clinical training. Selective admission requires prerequisites in anatomy, psychology, and English, based on academic performance and testing. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, it offers career mobility to associate degree programs and aligns with a projected 5% job growth in the field.

  • 12-month certificate program
  • 41 total credit hours
  • NCLEX-PN exam preparation
  • Selective admission process
  • Comprehensive clinical training
  • Career growth opportunities
  • Maryland Board of Nursing approved
  • BLS projects 5% job growth
#4

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, MD - Public 2-Year - aacc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Anne Arundel Community College's hybrid Practical Nursing program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN in just one academic year through a 41-credit curriculum. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, it features evening and weekend classes combined with hands-on clinical rotations across diverse healthcare environments. Students utilize advanced equipment to master medication administration, vital sign monitoring, and comprehensive patient care. With total costs under $6,500 and a track record of above-average exam pass rates, this program offers an efficient path to LPN licensure without requiring entrance exams.

  • 41-credit program.
  • Approved by Maryland Board.
  • Evening and weekend classes.
  • Hands-on clinical experience.
  • State-of-the-art equipment.
  • Costs under $6,500.
  • Eligible for NCLEX-PN.
  • Higher pass rates.
  • One academic year completion.
  • Various healthcare settings.
#5

Community College of Baltimore County

Baltimore, MD - Public 2-Year - ccbcmd.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Community College of Baltimore County offers a 12-month Practical Nursing certificate program at its Dundalk Campus, delivering intensive training through 46 credit hours. Students gain essential nursing skills via clinical and laboratory experiences, preparing them for the NCLEX-PN exam. With three cohort options and multiple yearly start dates, the program provides scheduling flexibility. Admission is competitive, requiring prerequisite courses, a strong academic record, and successful TEAS exam performance. This accredited program focuses on hands-on learning to equip graduates for roles as licensed practical nurses in diverse healthcare settings.

  • 12-month certificate program
  • Three cohort options available
  • 46 total credit hours
  • Located at Dundalk Campus
  • NCLEX-PN exam preparation
  • Competitive admission process
  • Requires TEAS exam
  • Clinical and laboratory training
  • Multiple start dates yearly
  • Accredited nursing program
*Official IPEDS 2023 data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Baltimore LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in Baltimore’s healthcare system by providing direct patient care, administering medications within scope, supporting care coordination, and assisting with rehabilitation and chronic disease management under the supervision of Registered Nurses and physicians. Their work helps hospitals, long term care facilities, home health agencies, and clinics maintain safe, timely care across the city.

Baltimore’s healthcare landscape is anchored by major academic medical centers and community hospitals, alongside extensive networks of skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, primary and specialty clinics, and home health organizations. This variety of settings gives LPNs opportunities to work in acute, post acute, and community based care and to develop specialized skills in areas such as geriatrics, rehabilitation, and ambulatory care.

Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for LPNs to grow about 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, reflecting continued demand for nursing care in long term and community settings.

In Baltimore, the concentration of hospitals and post acute providers supports steady demand for practical nurses, particularly in nursing homes, rehabilitation, and home health.

Practical nursing programs in the Baltimore area are commonly offered by accredited community colleges and nursing schools. Full time tracks can often be completed in about 12 months, while part time or evening and weekend options may extend to 18 to 24 months. Curricula typically combine classroom instruction, simulation and skills labs, and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long term care, and community settings to build competence in foundational nursing care and patient safety.

All Maryland LPN candidates must graduate from a state approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX PN. The Maryland Board of Nursing approves practical nursing programs and oversees licensure statewide. Baltimore area programs align coursework and clinical experiences to prepare students for the NCLEX PN and Maryland licensure requirements.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Baltimore

The healthcare employment landscape in Baltimore, Maryland, is experiencing robust growth. Maryland’s healthcare sector added 2,800 jobs in March 2024, contributing to robust growth in the state’s employment landscape. This positive trend extends to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), with national employment projected to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth translates to approximately 54,400 annual openings, largely driven by an aging population and an increased prevalence of chronic conditions.

As of May 2024, the average annual salary for an LPN in Baltimore, MD, is approximately $59,300, or $29 per hour. Salaries typically range from $53,187 to $65,796. Compensation is often influenced by experience, with entry-level LPNs earning around $58,239 and those with eight or more years of experience averaging about $61,066.

LPNs in Baltimore can find diverse employment opportunities across various healthcare settings, including:

  • Senior Living Facilities, Assisted Living, and Long-Term Care:These facilities are among the most common employers for LPNs.
    Erickson Senior Living, headquartered in Baltimore, is a significant employer, offering positions in its senior living and healthcare campuses across multiple states, including Maryland locations like Oak Crest Village in Parkville and Riderwood Village in Silver Spring. They hire LPNs for personalized routine and wellness care, sick visits, and specialized nursing care in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and in-home settings. Other facilities include Franklin Woods Center, Brooke Grove Retirement Village, Copper Ridge, Presbyterian Senior Living, Lorien Health Services, Larmax Homes, Hamister Group, Roland Park Place, and Lighthouse Senior Living in Baltimore.
  • Home Health Agencies:The home health sector is a growing area for LPN employment, offering varied duties and potential for improved work-life balance.
    Amedisys, one of the largest home health and hospice companies in the U.S., offers full-time LPN positions with benefits and potential sign-on bonuses in the Baltimore area. HomeCentris Home Health and HOLISTIC CHANGE LLC also actively seek LPNs for home care services.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs play a crucial role in delivering patient-centered rehabilitation nursing services.
    Rossville Rehabilitation Center and Roland Park Rehabilitation Center are known to hire LPNs in Baltimore. MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, located in Washington, D.C., also serves the broader region.
  • Hospitals:LPNs are employed in hospitals for various roles, often supervised by Registered Nurses (RNs), performing tasks such as collecting samples, taking vital signs, administering medication, and wound care.
    LifeBridge Health, particularly Levindale Hospital, employs LPNs in long-term care and sub-acute units. The UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) has an LPN Pathway program designed to help current patient care assistants and mental health associates advance into LPN roles, reflecting their demand for these professionals within their system.
  • Outpatient Care Centers and Clinics:These fast-paced environments also provide opportunities for LPNs.
    BayMark Health Services, operating as MedMark Treatment Centers, hires LPNs as dispensing nurses for substance abuse treatment. BioLife hires LPNs as Medical Support Specialists (Plasma Center Nurses).
  • Correctional Facilities and School Systems:LPNs can also find roles as school nurses or in correctional settings. For instance, Perkins Hospital Center, a state forensic psychiatric hospital, employs LPNs in nursing roles within its secure environment.

Key healthcare employers and networks consistently seeking LPNs in Baltimore and the surrounding Maryland area include Erickson Senior Living, Amedisys, LifeBridge Health (Levindale Hospital), HomeCentris Home Health, BayMark Health Services (MedMark Treatment Centers), and UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Additionally, staffing agencies such as ATC Healthcare, CoreMedical Group, Supplemental Health Care, Adelphi Medical Staffing, Medix Staffing Solutions, and Amergis actively recruit LPNs for various healthcare settings across Baltimore, including per diem, contract, and permanent positions in hospitals, long-term care, home health, and school environ

List of LPN Programs in Baltimore, MD

If you're looking to start a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Baltimore, MD, you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a list of schools offering LPN programs in the city. Each entry includes the school's location, key program highlights to help you choose, and a direct link to learn more about their specific program. Explore these options to find the best fit for your nursing education goals.
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Baltimore, MD

Baltimore City Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

    Campus Based - Website

    • One-year program duration.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN exam.
    • Approved by Maryland Board of Nursing.
    • Small class sizes.
    • Hands-on lab experiences.
    • Experienced instructors.
    • Campus-based program.
    • Focus on practical nursing skills.

Community College of Baltimore County

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 12-month certificate program
    • Three cohort options available
    • 46 total credit hours
    • Located at Dundalk Campus
    • NCLEX-PN exam preparation
    • Competitive admission process
    • Requires TEAS exam
    • Clinical and laboratory training
*Citation: National Center for Education Statistics. (2023). IPEDS Data Center. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/