Urban hospitals in Little Rock need practical nurses with electronic health record fluency, while rural clinics in the Delta prioritize candidates who can work independently across multiple care settings. Arkansas operates 20 state-approved practical nursing programs spread across this geography, with first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates that have declined in recent years.
The rankings here weight exam performance most heavily, with accreditation status and completion rates as secondary factors. Tuition at Arkansas community colleges often runs well below national averages, and several schools offer 12-month accelerated tracks for students who can manage intensive summer scheduling. Arkansas also participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, giving new graduates immediate multistate practice eligibility once licensed.
Arkansas LPN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-PN Performance
Arkansas's first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate was 77.8 percent in 2023, with 378 of 486 first-time candidates passing, compared with a national first-time rate of 81.4 percent. Because outcomes vary from program to program, the pass rate a school reports for its own graduates is one of the most useful things to check before you apply. Each entry below covers what matters at the application stage, from program length and format to cost and institution-wide completion figures.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Retention and completion rates
- Program accreditation status
- Net price and program length
- 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
- Independent editorial research
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas delivers a Practical Nursing technical certificate built on 42 credit hours, small cohorts, and close faculty support. Students move through classroom instruction and clinical work covering patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, and ethical decision-making, then sit for the NCLEX-PN. Admission requires an entrance exam, a 2.0 GPA, and prerequisite coursework, and the program allows one readmission for students who need to repeat.
- 42 total credit hours
- Fall and spring start dates
- 2.0 GPA minimum for admission
- Entrance exam and prerequisite coursework required
- Small cohorts with dedicated faculty
- Criminal background check and drug testing before clinicals
- One readmission allowed maximum
- Program reports a 100 percent NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate
Practical Nursing Technical Certificate — On-Campus
Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech University's practical nursing track runs as a 15-month technical certificate that leans on holistic, patient-centered care. Clinical rotations cover adult health, medical-surgical, maternal-child, mental health, geriatrics, and pediatrics at area hospitals, clinics, and long-term care sites, supported by high-fidelity mannequin simulation labs. Admission is competitive, requiring a TEAS composite of at least 60 percent and a 2.8 prerequisite GPA.
- 15-month technical certificate, 48 credit hours
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- TEAS composite score of at least 60 percent
- 2.8 GPA minimum in prerequisite courses
- Two start dates per year
- Clinical rotations in adult health, maternal-child and pediatric care
- High-fidelity mannequin simulation labs
- Alumni hired at Mercy Hospital
Practical Nursing (Technical Certificate) — On-Campus
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton offers an 18-month practical nursing certificate approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Coursework covers nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, maternal-child care, medical-surgical nursing, and mental health, with clinicals spread across several facilities so students see varied care settings. It also positions graduates to keep going toward registered nursing later.
- 18-month technical certificate, 57 credit hours
- Fall and spring start dates
- 2.5 GPA minimum for admission
- Entrance exam required
- Clinical placements in nursing homes, hospitals and clinics
- Prerequisites include Nursing Assistant and Anatomy & Physiology
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Pathway to registered nursing programs
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Arkansas State University-Beebe
Arkansas State University-Beebe packs its licensed practical nursing technical certificate into 11 months, with full approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Instruction builds communication, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning so graduates can move into acute and chronic care facilities, ambulatory clinics, school nursing, and community or public health roles. Financial aid is available to students in the program.
- 11-month licensed practical nursing certificate
- Full approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Coursework builds communication and clinical reasoning skills
- Clinical roles in acute and chronic care settings
- Career paths include ambulatory clinics and school nursing
- Financial aid available
Licensed Practical Nursing (Technical Certificate) — On-Campus
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home runs a three-semester practical nursing certificate that students can finish in about a year. The curriculum covers biology, anatomy, nursing fundamentals, maternity and pediatrics, geriatric nursing, mental health, and medical-surgical nursing, with clinical rotations in long-term care, hospitals, clinics, and home health. Graduates can step straight into practice or continue through the PN/Paramedic to RN bridge program.
- Three-semester certificate completable in about one year
- 49 total credit hours
- $115 per credit
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Clinical rotations in long-term care, hospitals, clinics and home health
- Coursework includes maternity, pediatrics, geriatrics and mental health
- Pathway to RN through the PN/Paramedic to RN bridge program
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Black River Technical College
Black River Technical College keeps its practical nursing program focused and quick at 10.5 months, with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing behind it. Students train on one campus and are prepared for the NCLEX-PN, and graduates are frequently hired by regional medical centers. Articulation agreements with four-year universities give graduates a route to continue their education, and the program guarantees readmission after a military service obligation.
- Completes in 10.5 months
- Arkansas State Board of Nursing accredited
- Articulation agreements with four-year universities
- Graduates frequently employed at local hospitals
- Readmission guaranteed after military service obligation
- Criminal background check required
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Baptist Health College Little Rock
Baptist Health College Little Rock teaches practical nursing inside a hospital-affiliated college, and the program carries ACEN accreditation. The one-year format runs with rolling admissions and January and August starts, and classes meet four days per week. Qualified students can take some coursework online, and prerequisites include Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs.
- ACEN accredited
- One-year program with January and August starts
- Rolling admissions with ACT or TEAS scores
- Classes four days per week
- Online coursework available for select students
- Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs
- On-campus proctored TEAS required
- Small cohorts with hands-on clinical training
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana
The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana awards a technical certificate in practical nursing that is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Students split time between classroom instruction and clinical rotations at healthcare agencies across the region, covering fundamental nursing skills, patient care, and clinical competencies. A current CPR certification is required before clinicals, and admission asks for prerequisite coursework plus an entrance exam.
- Technical certificate in practical nursing
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Clinical rotations at healthcare agencies across the region
- Entrance exam and prerequisite coursework required
- Current CPR certification required before clinicals
- Special application deadline applies
- Limited readmission policy
Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing — On-Campus
North Arkansas College
North Arkansas College offers an 11-month practical nursing technical certificate with starts in August and January, giving applicants two entry points a year. The curriculum covers nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, clinical practice, and healthcare ethics, with hands-on clinical experience at a local hospital. Graduates can transfer into the RN bridge program, and the school reports a 100 percent licensure pass rate for the program.
- 11-month practical nursing technical certificate
- Start dates in August and January
- Clinical experience at a local hospital
- Transfer pathway into the RN bridge program
- Separate health professions application required
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Program reports a 100 percent licensure pass rate
Practical Nursing Technical Certificate — On-Campus
East Arkansas Community College
East Arkansas Community College awards a 39-credit technical certificate in practical nursing that is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Coursework centers on therapeutic communication, the nursing process, cultural competence, and safe patient care, including delegation and patient education. The college publishes an approximate program cost of $3,849 for in-county residents, and financial aid is available.
- 39-credit technical certificate
- Approximate program cost of $3,849 for in-county residents
- Entrance exam required
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Coursework emphasizes therapeutic communication and delegation
- Covers the nursing process, cultural competence and patient education
- Financial aid available
Practical Nursing Technical Certificate — On-Campus
How Much Does LPN School Cost in Arkansas?
Arkansas is home to several community colleges where practical nursing students can keep tuition well below national averages. The table below ranks the five most affordable LPN programs by institution-wide average net price after financial aid. Keep in mind that net price is a campus-wide average reflecting grants and scholarships across all programs, so your actual LPN tuition may differ. Listed tuition figures represent published in-state rates for the nursing program specifically.
| School | City | Net Price (Avg. After Aid) | In-State LPN Tuition | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas | De Queen | $4,385 | $4,740 | Campus (day or evening options) |
| University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain | Mena | $4,842 | $4,032 | Campus |
| Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena | $4,848 | $3,800 | Campus |
| Black River Technical College | Pocahontas | $5,095 | $4,776 | Campus |
| Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville | $5,375 | $2,850 | Campus |
Accelerated and 12-Month LPN Programs in Arkansas
Not every aspiring LPN can commit to 18 months of coursework. Several Arkansas schools offer practical nursing certificates that can be completed in about 12 months, sometimes slightly less. These faster tracks typically run through summer terms without extended breaks, carry heavier weekly course loads, and may require prerequisite coursework to be finished before the program start date. The Arkansas Board of Nursing requires a minimum of 10 calendar months of instruction, at least 35 nursing credit hours, and a combined 560 theory and 768 clinical clock hours, so even the quickest programs pack a rigorous curriculum into a compressed timeline.
| School | City | Approximate Duration | Estimated Net Price | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State University, Mountain Home | Mountain Home | 12 months (3 semesters) | $8,847 | On campus |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock | 12 months | $25,454 | On campus |
| South Arkansas College | El Dorado | 12 months | $7,486 | On campus (day and evening options) |
| University of Arkansas, Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock | 12 months (fall start, year round) | $14,327 | On campus |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | Monticello | 12 months | $14,287 | On campus |
Explore other Arkansas related topics
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Steps to Become an LPN in Arkansas
Earning your LPN license in Arkansas follows a clear, sequential process overseen by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN). Most candidates complete the entire path in roughly 12 to 18 months, depending on program length and background check turnaround.
Arkansas LPN Licensing: Application, Background Checks, and Compact Status
Arkansas joined the growing number of states streamlining multistate nursing practice through the Nurse Licensure Compact, giving newly licensed LPNs here immediate flexibility to work across state lines. Before that privilege applies, though, you must clear the Arkansas State Board of Nursing's full licensure process.
Application and Background Check Requirements
All LPN license applications go through the Arkansas Nurse Portal. You'll submit proof of graduation from an approved practical nursing program, register with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX-PN, and complete both a state police background check and an FBI fingerprint check. Certain criminal offenses can disqualify applicants or trigger additional Board review, so address any concerns before submitting. Fees for applications and permits are nonrefundable, and processing timelines depend on how quickly background check results return.
To qualify for a temporary permit while awaiting your NCLEX-PN results, you must have graduated from an approved program within one year of your application date and hold current Pearson VUE registration. The Board issues these nonrenewable permits for up to 90 days or until your exam results post, whichever comes first. If you fail the exam, the permit becomes invalid immediately.
Compact Status and Multistate Practice
Arkansas is an NLC member state for both RN and LPN/VN licenses. If you establish Arkansas as your primary state of residence and meet compact requirements, your license automatically authorizes practice in all other NLC states without separate applications, a core benefit of LPN/LVN Reciprocity. This does not extend to APRN credentials.
Renewal and Continuing Education
LPN licenses renew every two years on a schedule staggered by birth date. Each renewal requires 15 contact hours of LPN Continuing Education Units, though the Board waives this for your first renewal if you held your initial license for less than two years. The current renewal fee is $90, with active-duty military personnel eligible for a waiver under Act 204 of 2017.
LPN Pay in Arkansas: Statewide and Metro Salary Data
According to the 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arkansas employs roughly 10,010 licensed practical nurses statewide with a median annual salary of $56,620. That figure falls below the national median for LPNs, which is consistent with the state's overall lower cost of living. For context, registered nurses in Arkansas earn a median of $78,940, while postsecondary nursing instructors earn a median of $63,090, both roles that LPNs may pursue through bridge and advanced education pathways. Metro-level wage breakdowns for individual Arkansas cities such as Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro are not currently published in this dataset, so the statewide figures below serve as the best available benchmark.
| Occupation | Total Employment in Arkansas | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 10,010 | $49,550 | $56,620 | $61,220 | $55,690 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 29,400 | $66,640 | $78,940 | $90,280 | $81,520 |
| Nursing Instructor (Postsecondary) | 830 | $51,240 | $63,090 | $77,590 | $67,790 |
Arkansas LPN Job Market and Demand Outlook
Arkansas employed an estimated 10,010 licensed practical nurses in the latest occupational wage data, with a median annual wage of $56,620.1 Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.0 percent LPN employment growth from 2025 to 2035, adding about 19,700 jobs and producing roughly 51,800 openings per year when replacements are included.12 That points to steady hiring rather than dramatic expansion, with the strongest local opportunity in licensed practical nurse careers tied to long-term and home-based care, including LPNs in hospice care. Arkansas-specific projected growth is not published in the available state tables, so treat that national rate as a baseline.
Demand Drivers in Arkansas
Aging populations, rural healthcare gaps, and expanding nursing home and home health services are the clearest demand drivers. In rural counties, LPNs often function as the most accessible licensed nurse in clinics and long-term care facilities, which keeps the credential relevant beyond Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas, especially for graduates who later pursue best Arkansas LPN to RN/BSN programs. HRSA also projects a national LPN shortage of about 245,950 full-time equivalents by 20383, which suggests employers will keep competing for new graduates.
Where LPNs Typically Work
Across the U.S., nursing and residential care facilities employ the largest share of LPNs, followed by physicians' offices and hospitals. Arkansas does not publish a state-level industry breakdown, but the same facility and clinic settings should account for most local openings.
Can You Complete an LPN Program Online in Arkansas?
Screen time versus scrub time: that's the real trade-off when weighing an online-friendly LPN path. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires supervised clinical hours for every practical nursing graduate, so a fully online, stand-alone pre-licensure LPN program simply doesn't exist in this state. Instead, Arkansas programs rely on Hybrid LPN Programs: didactic coursework delivered online or in a blended format, paired with in-person clinical rotations arranged at local hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities.
Most of the confirmed hybrid or online-friendly formats in Arkansas actually serve LPNs who are already licensed and advancing their education, rather than first-time practical nursing students.
Where Hybrid Formats Show Up
- Baptist Health College Little Rock: its standard Practical Nursing track uses limited online coursework with the bulk of instruction in person, while its Accelerated Track for licensed LPNs and certified paramedics runs coursework and exams entirely online, with flexible clinicals at Baptist Health facilities.
- UA Hope-Texarkana: the LPN-to-RN Transition pairs online lectures with in-person weekend clinicals across the Hope and Texarkana service area.
- Arkansas Tech University: offers its LPN-to-BSN in both traditional and hybrid formats, requiring roughly 1,000 hours of verified LPN work experience.
- University of Arkansas: its LPN to B.S.N. is fully online, with clinical practice arranged locally through a preceptor model.
If you're starting from zero, expect campus time. Hybrid flexibility becomes available once you're already an LPN.
Advancing Your Career: LPN-to-RN Bridge Options in Arkansas
LPN to RN Bridge Programs are shortened nursing tracks built for practical nurses who already hold a license and want to move into registered nursing without repeating coursework they've already mastered. Arkansas currently supports around 10 LPN to ADN Programs and 8 LPN to BSN Programs, so working LPNs have real choice in both timeline and degree type.
Where the Bridges Are
On the associate-degree side, Arkansas State University-Beebe runs a fully approved LPN/Paramedic-to-AAS-RN track, and Arkansas State University-Three Rivers offers its own LPN-to-RN option. University of Arkansas at Fort Smith requires an active, unencumbered Arkansas LPN license for its Transition program, and University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville accepts applications through October 31, 2026 for its cohort. Northwest Arkansas Community College runs a hybrid bridge with online coursework and evening or weekend clinicals. For a bachelor's route, the University of Arkansas offers a fully online LPN-to-BSN open to residents of Arkansas and a handful of neighboring states, with rolling deadlines each term.
What Schools Expect
Most programs ask for a current LPN license in good standing, a minimum GPA (NWACC sets 2.75), and an entrance exam, commonly HESI or NLN, with NWACC requiring a composite score of 102. Total credit requirements often land near 67 hours once prerequisites are folded in.
Why Make the Jump
Bridge programs typically run 12 to 18 months for an ADN and up to three years for a BSN, and they lead to broader scope of practice, more autonomy, and a meaningful pay increase over LPN wages.
More Practical Nursing Programs Across Arkansas
Beyond the programs ranked in the section above, Arkansas has practical nursing options in nearly every region of the state, from the Delta to the Ouachita Mountains. The schools below are presented as a geographic directory rather than a ranking, so you can find a program within reasonable driving distance of home. Each entry lists the city, the format, and the program page where you can confirm admission requirements and start dates.
Northwest Arkansas
- Practical Nursing Program (LPN)
- Practical Nursing
Arkansas River Valley
- Practical Nursing (LPN) Program
North Central Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
- Licensed Practical Nursing
Northeast Arkansas
- Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
Central Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
Southwest Arkansas
- Practical Nursing Program
- Licensed Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
Southeast Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
