Fifty-eight community colleges across North Carolina run LPN diploma programs, including LPN programs in Winston-Salem and LPN programs in Greensboro, yet their NCLEX-PN pass rates in the most recent testing cycle span a wide range, from the high 70s to essentially perfect. That gap matters more than most applicants realize, since a diploma from an unranked program still leads to the same licensing exam as one from a top performer.
The rankings below order schools primarily by NCLEX-PN pass rate, with program completion rate and accreditation status factored in as secondary markers of stability. A high pass rate signals a curriculum and clinical structure that actually prepares students for the exam, not just enrollment numbers or marketing claims.
Cost, timeline, and admissions difficulty vary just as sharply as exam outcomes, and a program's reputation on paper doesn't always match what a working student needs from a schedule or a budget.
North Carolina's Highest-Ranked LPN Programs by NCLEX-PN Performance
These programs earned their positions through consistently strong NCLEX-PN exam outcomes, the single best predictor of whether graduates launch their nursing careers on time. Where first-time pass results were close, accreditation status and completion rates decided the order. Net price, the school's graduation rate, and program format appear with each entry so you can weigh cost and fit alongside outcomes.
How we ranked these
- Institutional graduation rates weighted heaviest
- First-time NCLEX-PN pass rates
- Accreditation status as tiebreaker
- Program completion and retention rates
- Net price and program length context
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Montgomery Community College
Montgomery Community College in Troy delivers its practical nursing diploma through a blended format that pairs classroom instruction with online coursework and 480 supervised clinical hours. The nine-month program is built to move students into bedside care quickly, with classes meeting three to four days a week. Clinical rotations take place in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and home health agencies across the region.
- Nine-month blended diploma combining in-person classes with online coursework
- 34 total credit hours with 480 supervised clinical hours
- Classes meet three to four days a week in a blended day option
- Clinical training in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health
- Coursework covers assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam
- Skills include medication administration, treatments, and ambulation support
- Graduates contribute to nursing care plans under RN supervision
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — Hybrid
Gaston College
Gaston College in Dallas is one of the larger practical nursing providers in the Charlotte region, with an accredited diploma and both day and evening options. The one-year program starts each fall and emphasizes safe, individualized care, evidence-based practice, and informatics. Students train in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and home health agencies, with a curriculum built around interdisciplinary teamwork.
- Nationally accredited by ACEN, most recently reviewed in Fall 2024
- One-year, three-semester diploma with a fall start
- Day and evening options at the Dallas Campus
- Emphasis on safe, individualized nursing care across settings
- Coursework covers evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics
- Curriculum integrates healthcare and nursing practice domains
- Clinical placements in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Sampson Community College
Sampson Community College in Clinton runs a three-semester practical nursing diploma that begins with nursing fundamentals and anatomy before moving into medical-surgical nursing and patient care skills. Admission is competitive and point-based, and the program holds approval from the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Clinical placements span hospitals, long-term care and home health facilities, clinics, and physician offices, and financial aid and foundation scholarships are available.
- Three-semester diploma starting with nursing fundamentals and anatomy
- 45 total credit hours with clinical rotations at partner sites
- Clinicals at hospitals, long-term care, home health, clinics, and physician offices
- Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Competitive point-based admission with a TEAS entrance exam required
- 2.0 GPA minimum and prerequisite courses required
- Current CPR certification and Nurse Aide I Registry required
- Financial aid and SCC Foundation scholarships available
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
James Sprunt Community College
James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville serves Duplin County and the surrounding rural communities with a practical nursing diploma aimed at local hospital, long-term care, and clinic employers. Published program details are lighter than at most schools on this list, so applicants should contact the college directly for current admission requirements and start dates.
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock trains practical nurses at its Health Sciences Center in Hendersonville, near Pardee Hospital. The one-year diploma uses afternoon and evening classes with a spring start, and admission is selective with a TEAS entrance exam. The college has expanded its nursing pathways in recent years, including options for graduates who want to continue toward RN licensure.
- One-year diploma with afternoon and evening classes at the Health Sciences Center
- Spring cohort start with applications due by August 28, 2026
- Selective admissions process with a TEAS entrance exam required
- Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Coursework includes biology, English, psychology, and nursing theory
- Emphasis on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics
- Clinical placements in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health
- Financial aid and scholarship opportunities available
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Mayland Community College
Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine serves a multi-county mountain region with a one-year practical nursing diploma that starts each spring. Seats are limited and awarded through a competitive point system, so strong grades in the science prerequisites carry real weight. Students complete three semesters of intensive study with clinical experiences at local healthcare facilities.
- One-year, three-semester diploma with a spring start
- Competitive point system ranks applicants for limited seats
- Nurse Aide I certification required before admission
- 2.0 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses required
- Entrance exam required as part of the application
- Criminal background check and drug screen required before clinicals
- CPR certification and immunization documentation required
- Financial aid available; graduates prepare for the NCLEX-PN
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Durham Technical Community College
Durham Technical Community College is the Triangle's most established practical nursing option, with a 12-month ACEN-accredited diploma delivered from its Durham and Hillsborough campuses. Total program tuition is modest, and students complete clinical rotations across major Triangle health systems. Its location in one of the state's largest healthcare job markets gives graduates a wide range of nearby employers.
- ACEN-accredited 12-month diploma with a fall start
- 44 total credit hours across three semesters
- About $5,502 in total program tuition
- Information session required before applying
- Hands-on clinical experience in Triangle-area health systems
- Prerequisite courses required before entry
- Curriculum blends anatomy, writing, math, and nursing fundamentals
- Financial aid available; graduates prepare for the NCLEX-PN
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Nash Community College
Nash Community College in Rocky Mount runs a three-semester daytime practical nursing diploma with a single fall cohort. Students take Practical Nursing I, II, and III alongside anatomy and physiology, English, and precalculus algebra, and must earn a C or better in non-nursing courses and a B or better in nursing courses. Graduates work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, clinics, and physician offices across the Rocky Mount area.
- Three-semester diploma built around Practical Nursing I, II, and III
- Supporting coursework in anatomy and physiology, English, and precalculus algebra
- Grade requirements: C or higher in non-nursing courses, B or higher in nursing courses
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam
- Career paths in hospitals, rehabilitation, long-term care, and clinics
- Emphasis on assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Johnston Community College
Johnston Community College in Smithfield offers a 43-credit practical nursing diploma built on a three-semester sequence of nursing courses plus pharmacology and general education requirements. Prerequisites include algebra and lab-based biology and chemistry, so applicants should plan their coursework well ahead of the deadline. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN and typically move into hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, clinics, and physician offices.
- 43-credit diploma covering practical nursing I through III
- Coursework includes anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and general psychology
- Prerequisites include algebra plus lab-based biology and chemistry
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam
- Emphasis on evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics
- Prepares students for interdisciplinary team participation in patient care
- Career paths include hospitals, rehabilitation, long-term care, and clinics
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
South Piedmont Community College
South Piedmont Community College in Polkton offers a 44-credit practical nursing diploma approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. The curriculum is organized around healthcare domains, nursing practice, and holistic care, with steady attention to safety, quality, and informatics. Graduates pursue roles in hospitals, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, home health agencies, clinics, and physician offices.
- 44-credit Practical Nursing diploma
- Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Coursework covers healthcare domains, nursing practice, and holistic care
- Emphasis on integrating safety and quality into patient care
- Includes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics
- Prepares graduates for interdisciplinary team participation
- Career paths include hospitals, rehabilitation, long-term care, and home health
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lowest-Cost LPN Programs in North Carolina
North Carolina's community college system keeps LPN tuition relatively low statewide, but the net price you actually pay after financial aid can still vary by several thousand dollars. The figures below reflect institution-wide average net prices reported to the U.S. Department of Education (2024) and represent what a typical student pays after grants and scholarships. Your individual cost will depend on residency status, financial aid eligibility, and program-specific fees.
| School | City | Average Net Price (After Aid) | Published In-State Tuition | Total Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Community College | Shelby | $995 | $2,602 | 44 |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham | $1,664 | $1,986 | 44 |
| Johnston Community College | Smithfield | $1,776 | $2,756 | 43 |
| Wayne Community College | Goldsboro | $2,245 | $2,566 | N/A |
| College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City | $2,253 | $2,242 | N/A |
Accelerated and Short-Duration LPN Programs in NC
Montgomery Community College's 9-month LPN diploma is the fastest LPN program currently identified in North Carolina.
Most full-time LPN programs in the state run 9 to 12 months. Alongside Montgomery, several community colleges list 9-month diploma tracks: Wake Technical Community College, Piedmont Community College, Guilford Technical Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, and Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute. These are full-time commitments, and shorter timelines often mean heavier weekly schedules.
Fastest Realistic Options
- Montgomery Community College: 9 months, the fastest verified LPN track in NC.
- 9-month community college options: Wake Tech, Piedmont CC, Guilford Tech, Forsyth Tech, Caldwell CC&TI.
- 12-month options: Durham Tech, Mayland CC (hybrid evening), Central Piedmont CC, Beaufort County CC.
- 15-month year-round option: ECPI University's accelerated practical nursing diploma.
What About a 6-Month LPN in NC?
No true 6-month LPN program has been verified in North Carolina for 2026. The shortest legitimate full-time track is 9 months at Montgomery Community College. Programs advertised as "6 months" typically refer to accelerated CNA or medication aide training, not the LPN diploma. Expect a minimum of three semesters or roughly 9 to 12 months of full-time study.
CNA-to-LPN Bridge: Not Yet a Shortcut
As of 2026, no named North Carolina CNA-to-LPN bridge has been confirmed that shortens the initial LPN timeline. Existing LPN bridge programs target current LPNs, not CNAs: Southeastern Community College's LPN to ADN Transition Program, Blue Ridge Community College's planned LPN to RN Bridge, and Central Piedmont Community College's one-year LPN to ADN program. A CNA credential may satisfy some prerequisites but does not replace LPN coursework. If you hold a CNA license, ask each program how your patient care hours count toward admission prerequisites, but expect to complete the full LPN curriculum. Newer options are emerging too: CareOne Health Institute in Raleigh received initial NC Board of Nursing approval in 2026 and launched a 12-month cohort in June 2026.
What You Need to Apply: Prerequisites and Admissions
Admissions requirements for LPN programs in North Carolina are set by each community college, so the process is program-specific rather than college-wide. Most schools expect a high school diploma or GED and an ATI TEAS score, but cutoffs and deadlines vary significantly.
Baseline Requirements
- High school credential: A diploma or GED is the standard starting point at Central Piedmont and most other programs.
- ATI TEAS: Wake Tech requires a 59% composite, Central Piedmont a 65%, and Forsyth Tech a 42%. TEAS scores are valid for three years at Wake Tech and two years at Forsyth Tech.
- CNA certification: Wake Tech, Central Piedmont, and Forsyth Tech require a state-approved nurse aide credential before admission, a requirement that makes sense when you compare CNA vs LPN vs RN roles. Guilford Tech's practical nursing packet does not explicitly list CNA as a requirement, so confirm with the school.
- Clinical clearance: Expect a background check, review Can I Become an LPN If I Have a Criminal Record? if you have past charges, and up-to-date immunizations. Exact vaccine lists vary, so ask the program for its current health form.
School-by-School Differences
- Wake Tech: Deadline September 1 for spring entry; CNA required.
- Central Piedmont: Deadlines October 15 and February 15; January and August starts.
- Forsyth Tech: Fall 2026 deadline was March 13, 2026; CNA I required.
- Guilford Tech: TEAS required, but no published minimum in the 2026-2027 packet; fall cohort capped at 30 students.
Competitive, Not Open Enrollment
Most NC practical nursing programs use limited enrollment. Wake Tech operates on a point system with no waiting list, and Guilford Tech's annual fall class is capped at 30 students. Meeting the minimum TEAS and CNA requirements makes you eligible, but it does not guarantee a seat.
LPN Licensure in North Carolina: NCLEX-PN, NCBON, and the Nurse Licensure Compact
North Carolina keeps LPN licensure tightly organized around the NCLEX-PN, and the path from graduation to exam day follows a clear sequence. Moving through the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) process early matters because the state does not issue temporary permits to exam applicants.
The NCLEX-PN application sequence
- Apply to NCBON: Submit your licensure application online through the NCBON Nurse Gateway and pay the $75 board application fee.
- Register with Pearson VUE: Pay the $200 exam registration fee and use your nursing program code when completing the Pearson VUE registration.
- Complete background requirements: North Carolina requires a fingerprint-based background check. One 2026 guide lists a $38 Live Scan fee, though additional fingerprinting or background charges may apply depending on the applicant.
- Submit graduation documents: Provide official transcripts or proof of program completion as part of the board application. Your legal name must match your government ID for test day.
After NCBON confirms eligibility, Pearson VUE emails your Authorization to Test (ATT). From there, you schedule the NCLEX-PN at an in-state Pearson VUE location such as Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington, or Winston-Salem, or at an out-of-state center if needed.
Multistate licensure under the Nurse Licensure Compact
North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Eligible LPNs may hold a multistate license and practice in any other compact state without a separate application, relying on LPN/LVN Reciprocity across state lines. Exact multistate eligibility requirements should be confirmed with NCBON before relying on compact privileges.
Renewal and continuing education
North Carolina LPN licenses renew every 2 years with a $100 renewal fee and 30 continuing education hours , tracked as LPN Continuing Education Units , per renewal cycle.
LPN Wages Across North Carolina's Metro Areas
Metro-level wage breakdowns for LPNs in North Carolina are not currently published in the latest federal data release. However, the statewide figures below offer a useful benchmark. North Carolina's median annual LPN wage of $63,270 sits modestly above the national median, reflecting steady demand across the state's health systems, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics. Keep in mind that metros like Charlotte and Raleigh typically come with a higher cost of living, which can offset any local wage premium, while areas such as Fayetteville or the rural Piedmont may offer lower rents that stretch a similar paycheck further.
| Occupation | Total Employment in NC | 25th Percentile Wage | Median Wage | 75th Percentile Wage | Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 18,010 | $59,270 | $63,270 | $69,700 | $63,720 |
| Registered Nurse (RN, for comparison) | 111,120 | $78,770 | $84,350 | $102,040 | $90,470 |
| Nursing Instructor, Postsecondary (for comparison) | 2,560 | $74,000 | $80,400 | $100,210 | $85,230 |
What NC LPN Graduates Earn After Completing Their Programs
Program-level earnings data (what a school's own completers actually reported making one or two years after finishing) is one of the more useful ROI checks you can run before enrolling, but it's not published for every North Carolina LPN program. Among the ten ranked here, only a couple of schools disclose specific completer earnings, so treat these as data points rather than a full picture.
Durham Technical Community College, ranked among the Best LPN Programs in Durham 2026, reports median completer earnings of about $46,533, against a median program debt load of $14,750 among borrowers. That's a strong debt-to-earnings ratio for a program that runs about twelve months. Davidson-Davie Community College cites a starting range of $43,670 to $48,140 per year ($21.00 to $23.14 per hour) for its graduates, with median debt around $10,500, another favorable trade given the relatively low borrowing.
Completer Earnings vs. Occupational Wages
Keep these figures separate from the broader LPN wage data in the labor statistics section. Program-level earnings track what a specific school's graduates reported, often close to their first job. Occupational wage data reflects the entire LPN workforce across experience levels and employers statewide. Use program figures to compare schools directly, and use statewide wage data to understand your long-term earning ceiling as an LPN in North Carolina, especially if you're weighing lpn to rn programs in north carolina.
Can You Complete an LPN Program Online in North Carolina?
No LPN program in North Carolina runs fully online. State-approved practical nursing requires hands-on clinical hours in real healthcare settings, so every path to licensure includes in-person work. What you can find, and what most searches for online LPN programs in NC actually turn up, are hybrid programs that move lectures and some coursework to the web while keeping labs and clinicals face to face.
Hybrid Practical Nursing Diplomas
Several community colleges deliver their practical nursing diploma in a hybrid format for 2026:
- Montgomery Community College: Blended schedule with 3 to 4 days of in-person class per week and the remaining coursework online.
- Wake Technical Community College and Forsyth Technical Community College: Hybrid practical nursing with online lecture components.
- Durham Technical Community College: Classroom instruction split between campus sites and online, with clinicals at Duke University Medical Center, Duke Regional Hospital, and Lincoln Community Health Center.
- Central Piedmont Community College and ECPI University Raleigh: Hybrid delivery. At ECPI, only some general-education coursework sits online; nursing instruction, the simulation lab, and clinicals remain in person.
Hybrid Bridge Options for Current LPNs
If you are already licensed and looking to advance, Cape Fear, Sampson, Bladen, Alamance, Mayland, and the Surry / Lees-McRae partnership all offer hybrid LPN to RN Bridge Programs or LPN-to-BSN pathways. Sampson's ADN bridge, for example, teaches primarily online but requires campus visits for orientation, testing, and clinicals.
More LPN Programs Across North Carolina
The programs below sit outside the ranked list above, but many are strong fits depending on where you live and when you can attend class. North Carolina's practical nursing options stretch from the mountains to the coast, and most are community college diplomas that finish in about a year. Browse by region to find campuses within commuting distance.
Western North Carolina
- Practical Nursing
Foothills
- Practical Nursing Diploma
- Practical Nursing Education
- Practical Nursing
Charlotte Metro
- Practical Nursing
- Dickson Practical Nursing
Piedmont Triad
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nurse Education
- Practical Nursing (PN)
Triangle
- Practical Nursing Diploma
Sandhills
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
Eastern North Carolina
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
