Connecticut's Department of Public Health currently approves practical nursing programs across three distinct settings: regional state technical high schools, CT State Community College campuses, and a handful of private career schools like Stone Academy's successors and Porter and Chester Institute. Tuition across these three tracks can differ by more than $20,000, and clinical seat availability varies just as widely, often forcing a choice between waiting a year for a subsidized seat or paying more to start sooner.
Given that spread, NCLEX-PN pass rate is the one number that cuts through the noise, since it reflects how well a program actually prepared its graduates to pass state boards and start working. Program length, tuition, and licensure timing all matter, but none of them mean much if graduates struggle at the testing center.
Connecticut's Top LPN Programs by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
First-time NCLEX-PN pass rates are the clearest sign that a Connecticut practical nursing program gets its graduates to licensure. Each entry below leads with exam performance and rounds out the picture with program length, cost, and format so you can weigh fit against schedule. Several Connecticut campuses have closed or changed approval status in recent years, so verify current standing with the state before you apply.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation and completion rates
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass performance
- Accreditation and state approval standing
- Net price and total program cost
- Delivery format and schedule flexibility
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering retention rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Lincoln Technical Institute-New Britain
Lincoln Technical Institute's New Britain campus is among Connecticut's strongest performers on the NCLEX-PN, with a reported 95% first-time pass rate for the day cohort and 100% for the evening cohort on the 2024 exam. The ACEN-accredited diploma covers 50 credit hours across four clinical rotations, including mental health, pediatric, and maternal care. Day students finish in about 52 weeks, while the evening track runs roughly 92 weeks for students who need to keep working.
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton
The Shelton campus runs the same practical nursing diploma as New Britain and posts similar licensure results, with a reported 93% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for the day cohort and 100% for the evening cohort in 2025. Students complete 50 credit hours and four supervised clinical rotations, supported by interactive animations and simulation practice. Shelton is ACEN accredited and its curriculum is aligned with Connecticut Board of Nursing standards.
Practical Nursing, Shelton, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Goodwin University
Goodwin University's LPN certificate was approved by Connecticut's Board of Examiners for Nursing in 2024 and has quickly become a well-known in-state option, with more than 3,800 nurses graduated across its nursing programs since 2005. The 16-month cohort-based certificate runs on campus in day and evening formats and requires prerequisite courses plus a TEAS score for admission. Goodwin also operates a formal LPN-to-RN bridge that grants advanced standing to licensed practical nurses, and first-time NCLEX-PN results for the new certificate are not yet published.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate program — On-Campus
Porter & Chester Institute
Porter & Chester Institute's Bridgeport location offers a roughly 15-month, campus-based practical nursing program taught by registered nurses in small classes, with day classes Monday through Thursday and clinical rotations at off-site facilities. The curriculum covers anatomy, first aid, and medical terminology before moving into medication administration, dressing changes, and patient monitoring. Connecticut program records list this location as closed, so prospective students should verify current status before applying.
Practical Nursing Program, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Porter & Chester Institute of Hamden
Hamden's practical nursing program also runs about 15 months, with day classes Monday through Thursday, small classes, and registered nurse instructors. It holds conditional approval from Connecticut's Department of Public Health and Board of Examiners for Nursing, which is worth confirming directly before you enroll. Outcomes have varied sharply by cohort, with a reported 68% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for the 2025 day group and no first-time passes reported for the evening group in 2026.
Practical Nursing Program, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lowest-Cost LPN Programs in Connecticut
The table below ranks Connecticut LPN programs by net price, which reflects the institution-wide average cost after financial aid is applied. This figure is drawn from federal data and is not a guaranteed quote for your specific program. Actual LPN program costs will vary because tuition is only part of the picture. Expect to budget an additional $1,500 to $2,500 or more for books ($600 to $900), uniforms ($200 to $400), clinical fees, CPR certification (roughly $100), background checks ($75 to $110), liability insurance ($25 to $45), immunizations ($150 to $300), and an NCLEX review course ($200 to $500). Some programs also require a laptop (around $800) and a clinical lab supply tote ($120 to $150). Connecticut's initial LPN licensure application fee is $150, so factor that in as well.
| School | City | Sector | Average Net Price (After Aid) | Program Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwin University | East Hartford | Private, nonprofit | $29,249 | 16 months | CNA-to-LPN scholarship pathway available; financial aid and military benefits accepted |
| Lincoln Technical Institute | New Britain | Private, for-profit | $33,240 | 52 weeks (day) | Day and evening schedules; four clinical rotations included |
| Lincoln Technical Institute | Shelton | Private, for-profit | $38,521 | 52 weeks (day), 92 weeks (evening) | Day and evening options; aligns with CT Board of Nursing standards |
Fastest LPN Programs in Connecticut
If finishing quickly is a priority, the gap between the fastest and slowest LPN tracks in Connecticut can be a full year or more. Full-time day programs generally run 12 to 15 months, while part-time or evening schedules stretch to 18 to 24 months. Regardless of format, every Connecticut DPH-approved program must meet the same state-mandated minimum of 528 clinical hours within at least 1,320 total program hours, so a faster timeline never means fewer clinical competencies.
| Program Format | Typical Duration | Schedule Intensity | Year-Round or Academic Calendar | Evening or Weekend Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time day (accelerated, select schools) | Approximately 12 months | Highest: classes and clinicals five days per week | Often runs year-round with short breaks between terms | Generally not available in the accelerated day track |
| Full-time day (standard), e.g. Porter and Chester Institute | 15 months | About 28 hours of instruction per week | Year-round schedule with rolling start dates at most campuses | PCI campuses list a separate evening cohort |
| CT State Community College (Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley) | Approximately 12 to 15 months full-time | Follows a structured semester load with required lab and clinical days | Traditional academic calendar (fall, spring, summer terms) | Schedule details vary by campus; contact the program directly |
| Part-time day | 18 to 20 months | Reduced weekly hours allow work alongside coursework | May follow an academic calendar or run continuously depending on the school | Some schools blend part-time day with occasional evening sessions |
| Evening or weekend (available at select campuses) | Up to 24 months | Classes held evenings and/or weekends to accommodate working students | Often year-round to offset the shorter weekly schedule | Yes, this is the defining feature of the format |
State Tech Vs. Community College Vs. Private School: Which LPN Path Fits You
The three-way split in Connecticut's LPN training landscape has settled into a fairly predictable pattern, and knowing which lane you're in changes what you should expect to pay and how long you'll wait for clinical seats.
Three Channels, Three Trade-offs
CTECS technical high schools run adult education LPN programs that are consistently the cheapest route into the field, often a fraction of private school tuition, because they're state-subsidized. The catch is limited seating and waitlists that can stretch a year or more in popular districts like Bridgeport or New Britain. Private career schools, Lincoln Tech among them, charge considerably more but often compensate with evening or hybrid scheduling built for working adults, plus dedicated clinical placement staff who hustle to lock in hospital and long-term care rotations. Class sizes at private schools also tend to run smaller, which some students find gives them more hands-on time during skills labs.
What Happened to Community College LPN Tracks
Here's where a lot of confusion sets in. Connecticut's community college system consolidated years ago, and most campuses under the CT State Community College umbrella shifted resources toward RN degree pathways rather than standalone LPN certificates. If you're researching lpn programs in ct community college, Community College Nursing Programs as a standalone LPN option no longer exist at most locations. A handful of campuses still maintain practical nursing certificates, but they're the exception now, not the default, so confirm current offerings directly with the admissions office before assuming a program still runs.
Can You Take LPN Classes Online in Connecticut?
Short answer: partially. Connecticut Department of Public Health rules require hands-on clinical instruction and skills lab work to happen in person, full stop. There's no way around that requirement regardless of which school you choose. What varies is the didactic coursework , anatomy, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals , which some programs deliver through hybrid LPN Classes that mix online lectures with in-person lab days. If a program advertises itself as fully online, that's a red flag worth investigating before you enroll.
Explore other Connecticut related topics
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Steps to LPN Licensure in Connecticut
Earning your LPN license in Connecticut follows a clear sequence. Budget roughly $350 in state and exam fees, and plan for a processing window of four to eight weeks after you pass the NCLEX-PN. Because Connecticut joined the Nurse Licensure Compact on October 1, 2025, eligible new licensees can apply for a multistate license that authorizes practice in all other compact states without obtaining additional licenses.
What LPNs Earn Across Connecticut's Metro Areas
Connecticut ranks among the highest-paying states for licensed practical nurses, with a statewide median annual wage of $73,690 according to the most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). The state employs roughly 8,540 LPNs, and demand continues to hold steady as healthcare facilities across the Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and smaller metro areas compete for qualified bedside staff. For context, LPN earnings in Connecticut sit well above the national median, reflecting both the state's higher cost of living and the strong demand for practical nurses in long-term care, home health, and outpatient settings.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Statewide Median Annual Wage | $73,690 |
| Mean (Average) Annual Wage | $72,580 |
| 25th Percentile Annual Wage | $66,660 |
| 75th Percentile Annual Wage | $76,830 |
| Total LPN Employment in Connecticut | 8,540 |
| Registered Nurse Median Annual Wage (for comparison) | $102,740 |
| Nursing Instructor Median Annual Wage (for comparison) | $95,500 |
Connecticut LPN Earnings at a Glance
Connecticut LPNs earn well above the national average.
Advancing Your Career: LPN-To-RN Bridge Options in Connecticut
How much faster can a Connecticut LPN become an RN, and which of the best Connecticut LPN to RN/BSN programs actually exist here? The clearest documented options are CT State Community College's LPN-to-ADN bridge and Albertus Magnus College's LPN-to-BSN. Both credit your LPN license, coursework, and clinical hours, shortening the traditional two-to-three-year RN timeline.
CT State's LPN-to-ADN Bridge
CT State Community College offers an Associate in Science in Nursing bridge for licensed practical nurses. The pathway is online/hybrid and designed as advanced placement. You complete NUR 1150 (3 credits) and NUR 1152C (2 credits), then with the required grades enter the third semester of the ADN program and finish in about one academic year. Admission requires a current, unencumbered Connecticut LPN license. The transition may also involve Charter Oak State College's online NUR 190 Connecticut LPN Transition Bridge Course, so check with your campus for exact sequencing before you apply.
LPN-to-BSN at Albertus Magnus
Albertus Magnus College offers an LPN to BSN program that received Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing approval in August 2024 and began admitting students in January 2025. The format is blended: 16-week in-person evening sessions paired with 8-week online courses. That structure suits working LPNs who need to keep shifts while studying. Formal program-to-program articulation agreements with specific Connecticut LPN schools are not yet documented, but this path ends in a BSN, so you skip the separate RN-to-BSN step later.
Other Pathway Partners and Timeline Notes
A statewide pathway also lists Charter Oak State College, CT State Community College, and University of Saint Joseph as partners. Charter Oak's role appears focused on the NUR 190 transition course. University of Saint Joseph participates in the statewide pathway and an online prerequisite bridge, but no standalone named LPN-to-BSN program or fixed calendar details are documented. Compared with starting a traditional ASN from scratch, the CT State bridge typically saves one to two semesters. Albertus Magnus may take longer, but the evening/online blend can keep you employed while you bridge.
Salary and ROI
Moving from LPN to RN in Connecticut generally raises earning potential and widens employer options, though the exact dollar gap varies by metro area, shift, and facility. The fastest financial return usually comes from completing the bridge while working, so an evening or hybrid format can matter as much as total length.
