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
First-time NCLEX-PN results are the most useful public signal of whether a practical nursing program actually gets its students licensed, and Arkansas has been on a strong run: statewide first-time pass rates climbed from the high 70s in 2023 into the low 90s by 2025, depending on which reporting source you look at. The programs below are the ones drawing attention in that climb, and each card notes what the school offers in the way of format, cost, and completion support so you can weigh a track record against the schedule and budget that fit your life.
How we ranked these
- Graduation rates, weighted most heavily
- Retention and completion rates
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Accreditation and state board approval
- Program format and affordability
- 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 runs its practical nursing technical certificate on the DeWitt and Helena-West Helena campuses, with a 42-credit curriculum that pairs classroom instruction with supervised clinical practice. Cohorts are deliberately small, and the program reports strong licensure and job placement outcomes for its graduates. Students train for the NCLEX-PN and move directly into hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings across the Delta region.
- 42 total credit hours; entrance exam required
- Starts fall and spring
- 2.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- Program reports a 100% NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate
- Offered at DeWitt and Helena-West Helena campuses
- Criminal background check and drug testing required
- One readmission allowed, maximum
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton offers an 18-month practical nursing certificate with two entry points each year and 57 credit hours of coursework. Clinical placements rotate through facilities in Morrilton, Conway, Russellville, Clinton, and nearby communities, so students see a range of care settings rather than a single facility. Admission is selective and hinges on the Nursing Entrance Exam plus prerequisite courses such as nursing assistant and anatomy and physiology.
- 57 total credit hours across 18 months
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum; entrance exam required
- Nursing Entrance Exam score of 140 or higher required
- Deadlines: April 1 for fall and October 1 for spring
- Clinicals in Morrilton, Conway, Russellville, and Clinton
- Current AHA Healthcare Provider CPR certification required
- Prerequisites include nursing assistant and anatomy and physiology
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home delivers a three-semester practical nursing certificate that students can finish in about a year, with coursework built around patient assessment, critical thinking, and therapeutic communication. Clinical rotations span long-term care, hospitals, clinics, and home health across the north-central Arkansas region. Graduates can go straight to work as an LPN or continue through the college's PN/Paramedic to RN bridge pathway.
- 49 total credit hours over three semesters
- Finish in about one year of full-time study
- Tuition set at $115 per credit hour
- Apply by October 15 for a January start
- PN/Paramedic to RN bridge pathway available
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Clinical rotations in long-term care, hospitals, clinics, and home health
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Black River Technical College
Black River Technical College's practical nursing program is a 10.5-month certificate taught entirely on the Pocahontas campus, combining nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and patient care with clinical rotations in regional facilities. The college holds articulation agreements with four-year universities, so graduates can keep moving toward an RN or BSN without starting over. A military service obligation readmission guarantee and established hiring relationships with local hospitals round out the support for students in northeast Arkansas.
- Complete in 10.5 months
- Taught at the Pocahontas campus only
- Entrance exam and prerequisite courses required
- Articulation agreements with four-year universities
- Readmission guarantee for students with military service obligations
- Criminal background check required
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana
The Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and taught on the Hope and Texarkana campuses, so students can pick the location that fits their schedule. Coursework covers foundational nursing skills, patient care, and the clinical competencies needed to sit for licensure, with rotations at healthcare agencies across the region. Applicants complete prerequisite courses and an entrance exam, and current CPR certification is required before clinicals begin.
- Technical certificate approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Entrance exam and prerequisite coursework required
- Campus locations in Hope and Texarkana
- Clinical rotations at healthcare agencies across the region
- Current CPR certification required before clinicals
- Limited readmission policy
Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing — On-Campus
Baptist Health College Little Rock
Baptist Health College Little Rock is a hospital-based school in the state capital whose one-year practical nursing program starts in January and August. Classes meet four days a week, with an online component available to select students, and clinical training happens inside a large health system rather than being arranged with outside agencies. Admission is rolling and competitive, requiring the ATI TEAS or ACT plus Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs.
- One-year program starting each January and August
- ACEN accredited
- Classes meet four days per week
- Online coursework component for select students
- ATI TEAS or ACT scores required; rolling review
- Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs
- Deadlines: November 1 for January and June 1 for August
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
North Arkansas College
North Arkansas College in Harrison offers an 11-month practical nursing technical certificate with start dates in August and January. Students build skills in medication administration, wound care, vital signs, and patient support, then apply them in clinical rotations at local hospitals and nursing homes. The program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and feeds into the college's RN bridge option for graduates who want to keep going.
- 11-month technical certificate
- Start dates in August and January
- Program reports a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate
- Clinical experience at local hospitals and nursing homes
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Transfer pathway into the RN bridge program
- Separate health professions application required
- 2026 information packet available with current requirements
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
East Arkansas Community College
East Arkansas Community College awards a 39-credit Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing built around therapeutic communication, the nursing process, and safe patient care. In-county tuition is kept low, which makes this one of the more affordable entry points in the state for students who live in the service area. Entrance testing is offered at both the Forrest City and Wynne campuses during a defined annual window, and applicants get two attempts to hit the required scores.
- 39 total credit hours
- Approximate program tuition of $3,849 for in-county residents
- Entrance exam required
- Entrance testing offered at Forrest City and Wynne campuses
- Two attempts allowed to reach required test scores
- Focus on therapeutic communication and safe patient care
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing — On-Campus
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas in De Queen gives students two routes through its practical nursing certificate: an 11-month day track and an 18-month evening track for those who need to keep working while they study. Admission is competitive and requires the TEAS plus a mandatory online orientation, and the program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The college also advertises scholarships that can substantially offset program costs for qualifying students.
- 11-month day track or 18-month evening track
- TEAS entrance exam required
- $25 application fee
- Scholarships up to $15,000 for qualifying students
- Mandatory online orientation module
- Limited enrollment with competitive admission
- Criminal background check required
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Arkansas Northeastern College
Arkansas Northeastern College runs its practical nursing technical certificate as a 10.5-month program that starts each fall on the Blytheville main campus, blending classroom theory with lab, simulation, and clinical practice. Students rotate through acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and physician offices across northeast Arkansas. Admission is selective and based on entrance exam scores, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and a C or better in all academic coursework.
- 10.5-month program starting each fall
- 51 credit hours
- Approximate program cost of $6,689
- Clinicals in acute care hospitals, long-term care, and physician offices
- Selective admission based on entrance exam scores
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and a C or better in all academic courses
- Taught at the Blytheville main campus
Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing — On-Campus
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain offers an 11-month licensed practical nursing technical certificate that mixes classroom theory with hands-on clinical experience. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based care, patient communication, care planning, and the use of healthcare technology under RN supervision, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. The program holds full approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, and admission requires a preadmission exam plus ACT, Accuplacer, or ASSET scores.
- 11-month technical certificate
- Preadmission NEX exam required
- ACT, Accuplacer, or ASSET scores required
- Admission deadline of May 15
- Full approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Coursework covers care planning, communication, and healthcare technology
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — 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
The ranked list above highlights the programs with the strongest NCLEX-PN results, but practical nursing training is available in nearly every corner of Arkansas. The directory below covers nine more programs, grouped by region so you can find an option within commuting distance. Each entry notes the campus location, the format, and the net price students typically pay after financial aid.
Southwest Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
Southeast Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
Northeast Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
Central Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
Northwest Arkansas
- Practical Nursing
Arkansas River Valley
- Practical Nursing (LPN) Program
