LPN Programs in Winston-Salem, North Carolina 2027
Winston-Salem sits inside one of North Carolina's densest healthcare corridors, anchored by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, two systems that keep steady pressure on the regional LPN pipeline. Long-term care facilities across Forsyth County and the broader Triad add another layer of demand, particularly in skilled nursing and rehabilitation settings.
The city itself has a compact set of practical nursing options, but a 40-mile radius pulls in additional Board of Nursing-approved LPN programs in Greensboro, High Point, and Lexington. That geographic spread matters: seat availability at any single community college is tight, and most competitive applicants apply to more than one program in the same cycle.
Winston-Salem's LPN Job Market and Regional Employers
About 1,330 LPNs currently work in the Winston-Salem metro area, earning a median annual wage in the neighborhood of $63,000, with the middle half of the workforce falling between roughly $59,000 and $66,000, according to the most recent federal wage survey.1 That puts local LPN pay slightly below the national median for the occupation2, though wage data lags by a year or more and shifts as new surveys are released, so treat these as directional figures rather than a guarantee of your future paycheck.
Who's Hiring LPNs Locally
The two anchor health systems in the metro, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, both employ LPNs across outpatient clinics, specialty practices, and inpatient support roles, though the heaviest concentration of LPN & LVN Jobs sits outside hospital walls. Skilled-nursing facilities and long-term care centers scattered throughout Forsyth County remain the backbone of LPN employment here, offering steadier shift structures and a faster path to Leadership Opportunities for LPNs than most hospital floors.
What an LPN License Actually Covers
In North Carolina, LPNs administer medications, perform wound care, monitor vital signs, and carry out treatment plans under the supervision of an RN or physician. It's a real scope of practice, not a watered-down version of RN work, and it's what makes the credential valuable to employers who need dependable clinical hands without the cost of an RN for every task.
The Triad Is One Labor Market
Winston-Salem doesn't sit in isolation. Greensboro and High Point are close enough that healthcare employers, and job seekers, treat the Triad as a single commuter region. That matters for your school search: a program in Greensboro or High Point can serve a Winston-Salem resident just as well as one closer to home, which meaningfully widens your options.
Can You Complete an LPN Program Online in North Carolina?
No LPN program in North Carolina, including anything within 40 miles of Winston-Salem, can be completed fully online. The North Carolina Board of Nursing requires a set number of supervised clinical and lab hours to be completed in person at an approved healthcare site, and that requirement alone rules out a 100% remote path to LPN licensure.
What schools call Hybrid LPN Programs is really a partial accommodation. Lecture and theory content, things like pharmacology basics, anatomy review, or nursing fundamentals, get delivered through a learning management system so students can watch recorded lessons or complete readings on their own schedule. Skills labs and clinical rotations still happen in person, on campus or at a partnered hospital or long-term care facility, with mandatory attendance.
What Winston-Salem Programs Actually Offer
Forsyth Tech's Practical Nursing program is not online. It runs as a day track and an evening-with-weekends track, with classes meeting weekdays, evenings, and weekends depending on the cohort you enter. That scheduling flexibility matters more than a hybrid label for working adults trying to keep a job while attending school. Forsyth Tech's LPN-to-ADN Transition program (an LPN to RN in North Carolina track for LPNs advancing to RN) offers day and evening options, and at least one course section has historically included an internet-delivered component alongside on-campus meetings, though the college does not market the degree itself as hybrid. Forsyth Tech's hybrid offerings are limited to Nursing Assistant I and II, not the Practical Nursing program itself.
The Geographic Trade-off
Even if a program blends in online coursework, the state's clinical-site approval rules mean you're still tied to a specific region. Your clinical placement has to be at a facility the Board of Nursing has approved, which is typically close to campus. A hybrid format saves you classroom seat time, not your commute to clinicals.
LPN Programs Within 40 Miles of Winston-Salem
The tradeoff for widening your search past Winston-Salem's city limits is drive time, not necessarily a stronger program. If you're willing to commute 20 to 35 minutes each way, a handful of North Carolina Board of Nursing-approved practical nursing programs open up within roughly 40 miles of ZIP 27103.
In Winston-Salem: Forsyth Tech
Forsyth Technical Community College, at 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, is the only LPN program actually inside Winston-Salem. It's a 12-month Practical Nursing diploma with prerequisites including biology, CNA I certification, CPR certification, and a TEAS exam score. The Fall 2026 application window ran January 13 through March 13, 2026, so that cycle has already closed by this point in the year. Students planning ahead for the next cohort should watch for the equivalent window to reopen in early 2027.
East to Greensboro/Jamestown: GTCC
Guilford Technical Community College, located at 601 High Point Road in Jamestown, sits about 30 minutes east of Winston-Salem and is approved by the NC Board of Nursing to offer Practical Nursing. GTCC's campus system also serves High Point, roughly 20 minutes south of Winston-Salem; that gives students another Greensboro LPN programs option worth checking if a closer commute matters more than which building you sit in. Program length and day/evening scheduling aren't clearly published for the 2026-2027 cycle, so applicants should confirm cohort start dates and format directly before assuming it mirrors Forsyth Tech's structure.
South to Lexington: Davidson-Davie
Davidson-Davie Community College at its Davie Campus in Mocksville runs a Practical Nurse Education program, also a 12-month diploma leading to LPN licensure. It's on the western edge of the Triad near Winston-Salem. As of mid-2026 the college's admissions pages show general activity, but a Practical Nurse Education-specific deadline for 2026-2027 wasn't clearly published at the time of this writing, so a direct call to the nursing department is the safer route.
What This Means for Planning
These three, Forsyth Tech, GTCC, and Davidson-Davie, are the documented options within a reasonable commute. Smaller or satellite programs may exist in surrounding counties that aren't captured in state-level program listings, so it's worth a quick check with the Board if you're open to a longer drive.
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LPN Program Tuition and Cost Comparison
North Carolina community colleges consistently rank among the most affordable LPN pathways in the country, with net prices often well below $10,000. The net price figures below reflect average institutional aid, so individual students may pay more or less depending on Pell Grant eligibility and other awards. For context, median graduate debt at reporting schools in this group ranges from roughly $9,500 to $14,900, a manageable figure relative to the earning potential these programs unlock.
Admissions Requirements and Prerequisites for Winston-Salem LPN Programs
Getting into a practical nursing program in the Winston-Salem area means meeting a specific set of academic, testing, and compliance requirements before you ever sit in a nursing classroom. Both Forsyth Technical Community College and Guilford Technical Community College run selective admissions processes, so understanding each school's checklist well ahead of your target start date is essential.
Academic Prerequisites and GPA Standards
Forsyth Tech's practical nursing diploma requires a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 (unweighted) and completion of prerequisite coursework that includes biology and PSY 150. Each prerequisite course must be passed with at least a C, and once enrolled, nursing (NUR) courses require a B or higher to continue. Applicants must also hold a current CNA I certification and be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry.
GTCC, included among the Best LPN Programs in Greensboro 2026, sets the academic bar slightly differently. The program asks for a high school GPA of 2.6 or a college GPA of 2.0, along with completion of a general anatomy and physiology course at a B- or above. English and math readiness standards also apply. Both schools use a multiple-measures approach to evaluate applicants, meaning GPA is one factor among several.
TEAS Scores and Testing Details
Both programs require the ATI TEAS exam , a key part of the LPN/LVN Program Entrance Exam , but their score thresholds differ considerably. Forsyth Tech's minimum composite score is 42%, while GTCC requires a 66% on TEAS Version 7 specifically. If you are applying to both schools, plan your study timeline around the higher cutoff. GTCC's packet specifies Version 7 only, so confirm test version before registering.
Background Checks, Drug Screening, and CPR
Forsyth Tech requires current healthcare-provider CPR certification (typically AHA BLS level). Background checks, drug screening, and medical clearance including immunizations are expected before clinical placement at both colleges, though specific vendor and timing details are published closer to each cohort's start.
Competitive Selection and Seat Limits
Neither program is open enrollment. GTCC caps its fall cohort at 30 students and admits once per year. Forsyth Tech also uses a selective process with limited seats. Forsyth Tech's Fall 2026 application window was January 13 through March 13, 2026; GTCC's 2026-2027 deadlines have not been consistently published online, so contact its health technologies admissions office directly for the most current calendar.
Clinical Rotation Expectations
Forsyth Tech's LPN/LVN Clinical Rotations schedule runs either one 10-hour day or two five-hour days per week. GTCC students should expect roughly six to nine clinical hours weekly. Both programs place students at hospitals and long-term care facilities across Forsyth and Guilford counties, though neither school publicly names every partner site. Plan for travel within the region and for schedule flexibility, particularly if you are working while enrolled.
Top NCLEX-PN Pass-Rate Programs for Winston-Salem Students
Below are the top LPN programs serving Winston-Salem students, ranked primarily by NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate, with accreditation status and completion rate as secondary factors. Every program listed sits within roughly 40 miles of the city, and each one is delivered on campus rather than fully online. Pass rates below reflect recent cohorts, so smaller programs can swing more from year to year than larger ones.
How we ranked these
- Graduation rates, weighted most heavily
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Program accreditation status
- Cohort size and completion
- Long-term earnings, weighted lower
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- Internal program database
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Independent editorial research
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Rowan-Cabarrus holds verified ACEN accreditation and pairs classroom instruction with clinical work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and home health. Cohorts are small and alumni consistently praise the faculty. Institution-wide, the college graduates about 35 percent of its students, aided students pay an average net price near $8,000, and median earnings run about $34,936 ten years after entry.
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Prepares graduates to sit the NCLEX-PN licensure exam
- Clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and home health
- Coursework built around safety, quality care, and holistic nursing
- Faculty include Dr. Emily Fink; alumni praise supportive instructors
- North Carolina LPN average salary cited at $47,080
- Projected 5 percent job growth for LPNs in North Carolina
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Guilford Technical Community College
The Guilford Tech practical nursing diploma runs across three semesters with one fall start a year and a cohort capped at 30 students, which keeps faculty contact high. Instruction is campus-based with clinical rotations in area hospitals and long-term care facilities, and the school estimates total program cost around $8,000. Institution-wide, GTCC graduates about 31 percent of its students, aided students pay an average net price near $15,002, and median earnings run about $33,934 ten years after entry.
- $76 per credit in-state tuition
- Three-semester sequence with one fall start each year
- Cohort capped at 30 students, with mandatory orientation before classes
- Clinical experiences in area hospitals and long-term care facilities
- Estimated total program cost around $8,000 including tuition, fees, and supplies
- Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Health and background screening required before enrollment
- Financial aid available for students who qualify
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Surry Community College
Surry lists total program tuition at $3,224 across 46 credit hours, the lowest published program price among the schools here that report one. Coursework spans anatomy, pharmacology, psychology, and nursing theory, and the TEAS is required before entry. High school students can begin early through the Career and College Promise pathway. Institution-wide, the college graduates about 6 percent of its students, aided students pay an average net price near $4,961, and median earnings run about $36,012 ten years after entry.
- TEAS entrance exam required for admission
- Total program tuition listed at $3,224 across 46 credit hours
- Spring admission with a September 1 application deadline
- Sequential nursing course progression required
- High school students may enroll through Career and College Promise
- Coursework spans anatomy, pharmacology, psychology, and nursing theory
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam
- Financial aid available
Practical Nursing (PN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Forsyth Technical Community College
Forsyth Tech is the only program on this list with a campus inside Winston-Salem, and its one-year diploma offers full-time and part-time tracks with day, evening, and weekend classes plus a Stokes County evening option. Recent cohorts posted a 98.3 percent first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, and the college maintains an LPN to RN bridge for graduates. Institution-wide, Forsyth Tech graduates about 34 percent of its students, aided students pay an average net price near $7,200, and median earnings run about $34,139 ten years after entry.
- One-year diploma with full-time and part-time options
- Day, evening, and weekend class sections
- Fall 2026 application deadline is March 13, 2026
- Emphasizes evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam
- Career settings include hospitals, long-term care, home health, and clinics
- Focus on safe, high-quality nursing care
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Davidson-Davie Community College
Davidson-Davie runs its practical nurse education diploma entirely face-to-face in evening hours with occasional weekend sessions, and it is not offered remotely. The college holds a healthcare apprenticeship agreement with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist that lets LPN students work in Winston-Salem area facilities while enrolled. Institution-wide, the college graduates about 46 percent of its students, aided students pay an average net price near $8,753, and median earnings run about $36,337 ten years after entry.
- Total program tuition listed at $3,572 across 47 credit hours
- One-year, in-person program offered at the Davie Campus
- Fall start with competitive, special-criteria admission
- Program reports a 100 percent licensure pass rate
- Starting salaries cited at $43,670 to $48,140 per year
- Financial aid, scholarships, and outside scholarships available
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam
Practical Nurse Education, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Rockingham Community College
Rockingham's practical nursing diploma spans 48 credit hours and requires CNA certification, CPR certification, a 2.5 GPA, and a TEAS score of 55 percent or higher. The TEAS can be taken on campus, through a remote proctor, or at a testing center, and scores stay valid for two years. Institution-wide, the college graduates about 35 percent of its students, aided students pay an average net price near $2,060, and median earnings run about $32,480 ten years after entry.
- TEAS score of 55 percent or higher required for entry
- TEAS results accepted for 24 months after testing
- CNA certification in North Carolina required before admission
- Minimum 2.5 GPA plus prerequisite coursework
- 48 credit hours across three semesters of lab and clinical work
- CPR certification and a nursing information session required
- Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
Practical Nursing Diploma — On-Campus
Frequently Asked Questions About Winston-Salem LPN Programs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions prospective students ask about LPN programs in and around Winston-Salem. Where possible, answers reference specific program details covered earlier in this article.
How much does the LPN program cost at Forsyth Tech?
Forsyth Tech's Practical Nursing program follows the North Carolina Community College tuition structure. In-state tuition for the 12-month program is typically among the most affordable options in the region. Exact costs vary by semester based on fees, books, supplies, and clinical equipment. Contact Forsyth Tech's financial aid office, review our Cost of LPN Programs & Schools guide, or check the tuition tables referenced earlier in this article for the latest 2026 figures.
Are there any 6-month or fast-track LPN programs near Winston-Salem?
As of 2026, no community college in the Triad region (including Forsyth Tech, GTCC, and Davidson-Davie CC) offers an initial LPN program shorter than 12 months.12 The shorter tracks you may see advertised, such as Forsyth Tech's two-semester LPN-to-ADN transition or GTCC's LPN to Associate Degree Nursing Bridge3, are designed for already licensed LPNs pursuing an RN credential, not for first-time LPN students.
How long does it take to complete an LPN program in Winston-Salem?
Most LPN programs in the Winston-Salem area, including Forsyth Tech's Practical Nursing program, are structured as 12-month, full-time tracks. This timeline covers prerequisite coursework, didactic classes, lab hours, and supervised clinical rotations. Forsyth Tech labels its program a "fast track" because it prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN in one year rather than the two years required for an associate degree, and our NCLEX-PN Practice Test Questions can help you get ready.
What TEAS score do I need for Forsyth Tech's LPN program?
Forsyth Tech requires applicants to submit ATI TEAS scores as part of the competitive admissions process. Forsyth Tech's minimum composite score is 42%. Check the admissions requirements section earlier in this article and verify current benchmarks directly with Forsyth Tech's Health Technologies division, as cutoff scores for the 2026 cohort may differ from prior years.
Can I work as an LPN in other states with a North Carolina license?
North Carolina is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). If you establish North Carolina as your primary state of residence and hold a multistate license, you can practice as an LPN in all other compact states without obtaining an additional license. For non-compact states, you will need to apply for licensure through that state's board of nursing before practicing there.
