Best LPN Programs in Kansas City 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Kansas City, Missouri with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Kansas City 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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Kansas City Missouri LPN programs offering nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing careers

2027 Best LPN Programs in Kansas City, MO

Choosing the right LPN program in Kansas City, MO can feel like a big decision. That's why we at practicalnursing.org have put together a detailed ranking of the best LPN programs in the area. Our rankings look at key factors like program length, cost, pass rates, and student support to help you make an informed choice. We use real data and a clear scoring system, so you can trust the results. Before diving into the list, it's a good idea to understand how we rank these programs. You can check out our full methodology here: https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Concorde Career College-Kansas City

Kansas City, MO - Private 4-year - concorde.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Concorde Career College-Kansas City offers a hybrid Practical Nursing Diploma Program designed for aspiring LPNs. This 66-credit curriculum blends online learning with 188 lab hours and 695 clinical hours in real healthcare environments. Students study anatomy, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health care, and more, with integrated NCLEX-PN review. The program offers a full-time track that can be completed in as few as 13 months, or a part-time evening/weekend option for flexibility. Approved by the Missouri Board of Nursing, the program prepares graduates for roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and home health under RN supervision. Financial aid and scholarships are available, making it an accessible pathway to licensure and future RN advancement.

  • Missouri State Board of Nursing accredited
  • 13-Month program
  • 66 total credit hours
  • Full-time and part-time options
  • 695 clinical hours
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • 188 lab hours of hands-on training
  • NCLEX-PN review included
#2

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

Kansas City, MO - Public 2-Year - mcckc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City offers a Practical Nursing Certificate that can be completed in under one year with fall and spring starts. The curriculum includes patient care, diagnostic tests, IV therapy, medication administration, and health education, with hands-on training at the Health Science Institute. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level LPN roles in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home health. Tuition is $126 per credit, totaling 52.5-56.5 credits plus approximately $5,000 in additional fees. The program is approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing, reports faster-than-average job growth, and cites a Missouri median LPN salary of $59,030. Financial aid is available; apply by March 31, 2026.

  • $126 per credit
  • Complete in less than one year
  • Apply by 2026-03-31
  • Starts fall/spring
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Faster than average job growth projected
  • Median annual salary of $59,030 in Missouri
  • State-of-the-art Health Science Institute
  • Approved by Missouri State Board of Nursing
*Dataset citation: NCES. (2025). IPEDS Data Center. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Kansas City LPN Program Overview

The local care landscape includes major academic and safety net centers such as the University of Kansas Health System and University Health, alongside multi hospital systems, specialty pediatric facilities, the Kansas City VA Medical Center, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and home health agencies. Consistent with national trends reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers in long term care and community based services continue to drive steady demand for practical nurses, reflecting the needs of an aging population and ongoing care coordination outside of acute settings.

LPN programs in Kansas City are offered by community colleges, technical colleges, and universities on both sides of the state line. Most full time practical nursing pathways can be completed in about 12 months, while part time options commonly extend to 18 to 24 months. Curricula typically combine nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical surgical and geriatric care, maternal child and mental health concepts, and supervised clinical rotations at hospitals, long term care facilities, and community clinics in the metro area.

Graduates prepare for the NCLEX PN, the national licensure exam required for practice. Program approval and licensure are overseen by each state’s board of nursing. In Missouri, information on approved practical nursing programs, NCLEX PN pass rates, and licensure steps is available through the Missouri State Board of Nursing. In Kansas, program approval, application procedures, and regulatory guidance are provided by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Because Kansas City spans Missouri and Kansas, prospective students should confirm that a program is approved by the board in the state where they plan to seek initial licensure, and review any additional state specific requirements.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Kansas City

The job market for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Kansas City, encompassing both Missouri and Kansas, is very active. LPNs play a vital role in delivering basic nursing care under the supervision of Registered Nurses or physicians across a wide array of healthcare settings. As of May 2023, the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area employs approximately 4,600 LPNs.

Salaries for LPNs in Kansas City reflect regional variations and cost of living adjustments. In the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area, the average annual salary for LPNs is around $54,920, or $26.40 per hour. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it is comparable when adjusted for the lower cost of living in the area.

Employment opportunities for LPNs are diverse, spanning various healthcare facilities. Hospitals and major medical centers are significant employers. Examples include St. Joseph Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center (part of HCA Midwest Health), Research Medical Center, Research Psychiatric Center, and University Health, which includes the Hospital Hill and Lakewood campuses (formerly Truman Medical Centers). Select Specialty Hospital – Kansas City North also frequently hires LPNs for various units, including medical-surgical, orthopedics, telemetry, and rehabilitation.

Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities represent another major sector for LPN employment, providing long-term and rehabilitative care. Facilities such as Highland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Grand Pavilion Health and Rehab, New Mark Care Center, Parkway Health Care Center, Redwood of Blue River, Gregory Ridge Health Care Center, and Ignite Medical Resorts actively seek LPNs. Additionally, a broad range of senior living and assisted living communities, including those managed by Tutera Senior Living & Health Care (Mission Chateau Senior Living Community, Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community), Arrow Senior Living (The Madison Senior Living), and Pivotal Health Care (Linden Woods Village), hire LPNs for roles such as Wellness Nurse Managers and charge nurses.

Home health agencies are also substantial employers, with LPNs providing direct patient care in private residences, especially for private duty nursing. Key employers in this field include Maxim Healthcare Services, Aveanna Healthcare, AdventHealth Home Health and Hospice, HCA Midwest Healthcare at Home, and Phoenix Home Care and Hospice. Private practices and clinics, such as the High Risk Pregnancy Center of Kansas City and CareNow Urgent Care, also offer opportunities for LPNs to assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in various specialty settings. Furthermore, facilities like BioLife Plasma Services frequently hire LPNs for their plasma donation centers.

List of LPN Programs in Kansas City, MO

Looking for LPN programs in Kansas City, MO? The table below lists schools offering practical nursing training. Each entry includes the city and state, program highlights, and a direct link to the program page. Browse the options to find the right fit for your nursing career. We have gathered the details to make comparing easy. Start your search today and take the next step toward becoming an LPN.

Kansas City, MO

Concorde Career College-Kansas City

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Missouri State Board of Nursing accredited
    • 13-Month program
    • 66 total credit hours
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • 695 clinical hours
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

    Campus Based - Website

    • $126 per credit
    • Complete in less than one year
    • Apply by 2026-03-31
    • Starts fall/spring
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Financial aid available
    • Faster than average job growth projected
    • Median annual salary of $59,030 in Missouri
*Source: IPEDS 2025 postsecondary education data, NCES.