Best LPN Programs in Baltimore 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Baltimore, Maryland with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Baltimore area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
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Baltimore Maryland LPN programs providing nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles

2027 Best LPN Programs in Baltimore, MD

When searching for the best LPN programs in Baltimore, MD, we at practicalnursing.org have done the legwork to help. Our rankings are based on key factors like NCLEX pass rates, program accreditation, and affordability. Baltimore offers diverse options, from community colleges to hospital-based training. We evaluate each program to identify top choices for aspiring licensed practical nurses. This guide highlights standout programs that combine solid clinical training with flexible schedules. For a complete breakdown of our evaluation criteria, see our methodology page below. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Carroll Community College

Westminster, MD - Public 2-Year - carrollcc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Carroll Community College's 60-credit Practical Nursing Certificate blends foundational coursework in biology, psychology, and math with hands-on clinical training in health assessment, medication administration, and nursing concepts. Students complete prerequisites like anatomy and physiology before progressing through clinical courses across fall, spring, and summer terms. The curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, teamwork, and NCLEX-PN preparation. Admission is selective, requiring a minimum 2.5 GPA, a grade of C or better in all courses, and concurrent acceptance into the college's RN A.S. program, ensuring a seamless transition to advanced nursing education. Science coursework must be completed within five years. Graduates are prepared for LPN roles in hospitals and clinics. The program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing.

  • Maryland Board of Nursing accredited
  • 60 total credit hours
  • 2.5 GPA minimum
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Must earn C or better in all courses
  • Science courses valid only 5 years
  • Admission requires RN program acceptance
  • Selective admission process
  • Program director Dr. Nancy Perry
#2

Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore, MD - Public 2-Year - bccc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Baltimore City Community College offers a Practical Nursing Certificate designed to be completed in one year, totaling 45 credit hours. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and careers as licensed practical nurses, focusing on safe, effective care across hospitals, clinics, and long-term facilities under RN and physician supervision. Coursework covers adult health nursing, maternal-child nursing, medication calculation, and nursing practice, with emphasis on client education, collaboration, and ethics. Admission requires prerequisite coursework in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and computer literacy—comprising 13 credits—plus a biology placement exam. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, the program ensures graduates meet state licensure requirements and are ready for entry-level practice.

  • 1-Year program
  • Complete in one-year program
  • 45 total credit hours
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Approved by Maryland Board of Nursing
  • 13 prerequisite credits required
  • Biology placement exam required
  • Computer literacy prerequisite required
#3

Harford Community College

Bel Air, MD - Public 2-Year - harford.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Harford Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is a selective-admission, 12-month, 41-credit program starting each spring. The curriculum blends classroom theory with clinical rotations in medical-surgical, mental health, and maternal-pediatric nursing, preparing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN and work as LPNs under RN supervision. Applicants must meet a 2.5 GPA, complete prerequisites (BIO203, ENG101, PSY101), and earn a TEAS score of at least 58.7. CPR certification, background check, and drug screening are required. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, the program offers articulation into associate degree RN pathways. Graduates enjoy median annual earnings of $54,620 ($26.26/hour) with strong job growth projected.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • 12-Month program
  • 41 total credit hours
  • Starts spring
  • 2.5 GPA minimum
  • $54,620 median earnings
  • Median hourly wage $26.26 per hour, annual median pay $54,620
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
#4

Community College of Baltimore County

Baltimore, MD - Public 2-Year - ccbcmd.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Practical Nursing certificate at Community College of Baltimore County is a 12-month, 46-credit program held at the Dundalk Campus, blending classroom theory, lab practice, and clinical experiences. It prepares students for entry-level nursing roles, assisting registered nurses and physicians across diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum covers foundational nursing concepts, patient care techniques, and medical-surgical nursing, emphasizing hands-on learning. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN exam. The program offers three cohort options—Fall Day, Summer Day, and Spring Evening/Weekend—to fit varied schedules. Admission is competitive, requiring prerequisite courses, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and a satisfactory TEAS score. Clinical placements may include evening or weekend hours. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, the program also provides an optional track to continue into an RN program, making it a flexible stepping stone for a nursing career.

  • Maryland Board of Nursing accredited
  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • 12-Month program
  • 46 total credit hours
  • 3 start dates per year
  • Starts summer/fall/spring
  • Cohort-based structure
  • 2.0 GPA minimum
  • Prerequisite courses required
#5

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, MD - Public 2-Year - aacc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Anne Arundel Community College’s Practical Nursing certificate offers a streamlined path to LPN licensure in just one academic year. The 41-credit hybrid program blends online coursework with evening and weekend classes, ideal for working adults. Students gain hands-on experience in hospitals, extended care facilities, and community health agencies, rotating through medical-surgical, obstetrical, and pediatric units. Simulation labs with state-of-the-art equipment reinforce clinical skills. Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing, the curriculum prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN. With tuition under $6,500, financial aid, scholarships, and a higher-than-average NCLEX pass rate, AACC delivers an affordable, flexible route into a high-demand healthcare career.

  • Maryland Board of Nursing accredited
  • $6,500 total program tuition
  • 1-Year program
  • 41 total credit hours
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • State-of-the-art equipment
  • Evening and weekend program
  • Hands-on clinical experience
*Data from: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2025.

Baltimore LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in Baltimore’s healthcare system by providing direct patient care, administering medications within scope, supporting care coordination, and assisting with rehabilitation and chronic disease management under the supervision of Registered Nurses and physicians. Their work helps hospitals, long term care facilities, home health agencies, and clinics maintain safe, timely care across the city.

Baltimore’s healthcare landscape is anchored by major academic medical centers and community hospitals, alongside extensive networks of skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, primary and specialty clinics, and home health organizations. This variety of settings gives LPNs opportunities to work in acute, post acute, and community based care and to develop specialized skills in areas such as geriatrics, rehabilitation, and ambulatory care.

Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for LPNs to grow about 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, reflecting continued demand for nursing care in long term and community settings.

In Baltimore, the concentration of hospitals and post acute providers supports steady demand for practical nurses, particularly in nursing homes, rehabilitation, and home health.

Practical nursing programs in the Baltimore area are commonly offered by accredited community colleges and nursing schools. Full time tracks can often be completed in about 12 months, while part time or evening and weekend options may extend to 18 to 24 months. Curricula typically combine classroom instruction, simulation and skills labs, and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long term care, and community settings to build competence in foundational nursing care and patient safety.

All Maryland LPN candidates must graduate from a state approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX PN. The Maryland Board of Nursing approves practical nursing programs and oversees licensure statewide. Baltimore area programs align coursework and clinical experiences to prepare students for the NCLEX PN and Maryland licensure requirements.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Baltimore

The healthcare employment landscape in Baltimore, Maryland, is experiencing robust growth. Maryland’s healthcare sector added 2,800 jobs in March 2024, contributing to robust growth in the state’s employment landscape. This positive trend extends to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), with national employment projected to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth translates to approximately 54,400 annual openings, largely driven by an aging population and an increased prevalence of chronic conditions.

As of May 2024, the average annual salary for an LPN in Baltimore, MD, is approximately $59,300, or $29 per hour. Salaries typically range from $53,187 to $65,796. Compensation is often influenced by experience, with entry-level LPNs earning around $58,239 and those with eight or more years of experience averaging about $61,066.

LPNs in Baltimore can find diverse employment opportunities across various healthcare settings, including:

  • Senior Living Facilities, Assisted Living, and Long-Term Care:These facilities are among the most common employers for LPNs.
    Erickson Senior Living, headquartered in Baltimore, is a significant employer, offering positions in its senior living and healthcare campuses across multiple states, including Maryland locations like Oak Crest Village in Parkville and Riderwood Village in Silver Spring. They hire LPNs for personalized routine and wellness care, sick visits, and specialized nursing care in assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and in-home settings. Other facilities include Franklin Woods Center, Brooke Grove Retirement Village, Copper Ridge, Presbyterian Senior Living, Lorien Health Services, Larmax Homes, Hamister Group, Roland Park Place, and Lighthouse Senior Living in Baltimore.
  • Home Health Agencies:The home health sector is a growing area for LPN employment, offering varied duties and potential for improved work-life balance.
    Amedisys, one of the largest home health and hospice companies in the U.S., offers full-time LPN positions with benefits and potential sign-on bonuses in the Baltimore area. HomeCentris Home Health and HOLISTIC CHANGE LLC also actively seek LPNs for home care services.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs play a crucial role in delivering patient-centered rehabilitation nursing services.
    Rossville Rehabilitation Center and Roland Park Rehabilitation Center are known to hire LPNs in Baltimore. MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, located in Washington, D.C., also serves the broader region.
  • Hospitals:LPNs are employed in hospitals for various roles, often supervised by Registered Nurses (RNs), performing tasks such as collecting samples, taking vital signs, administering medication, and wound care.
    LifeBridge Health, particularly Levindale Hospital, employs LPNs in long-term care and sub-acute units. The UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) has an LPN Pathway program designed to help current patient care assistants and mental health associates advance into LPN roles, reflecting their demand for these professionals within their system.
  • Outpatient Care Centers and Clinics:These fast-paced environments also provide opportunities for LPNs.
    BayMark Health Services, operating as MedMark Treatment Centers, hires LPNs as dispensing nurses for substance abuse treatment. BioLife hires LPNs as Medical Support Specialists (Plasma Center Nurses).
  • Correctional Facilities and School Systems:LPNs can also find roles as school nurses or in correctional settings. For instance, Perkins Hospital Center, a state forensic psychiatric hospital, employs LPNs in nursing roles within its secure environment.

Key healthcare employers and networks consistently seeking LPNs in Baltimore and the surrounding Maryland area include Erickson Senior Living, Amedisys, LifeBridge Health (Levindale Hospital), HomeCentris Home Health, BayMark Health Services (MedMark Treatment Centers), and UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center. Additionally, staffing agencies such as ATC Healthcare, CoreMedical Group, Supplemental Health Care, Adelphi Medical Staffing, Medix Staffing Solutions, and Amergis actively recruit LPNs for various healthcare settings across Baltimore, including per diem, contract, and permanent positions in hospitals, long-term care, home health, and school environ

List of LPN Programs in Baltimore, MD

We have put together a list of LPN programs in Baltimore, MD. The table below shows each school's city and state location, highlights of what the program offers, and a link to its official program page. This gives a clear overview so students can compare their choices easily. Keep the table handy while researching and pick the program that best meets your needs.

Baltimore, MD

Baltimore City Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

    Campus Based - Website

    • 1-Year program
    • Complete in one-year program
    • 45 total credit hours
    • Prerequisite courses required
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Approved by Maryland Board of Nursing
    • 13 prerequisite credits required
    • Biology placement exam required

Community College of Baltimore County

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Maryland Board of Nursing accredited
    • Entrance exam required
    • Exams: TEAS
    • 12-Month program
    • 46 total credit hours
    • 3 start dates per year
    • Starts summer/fall/spring
    • Cohort-based structure
*Data source: NCES IPEDS survey, 2025.