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Best LPN Programs in Detroit 2026

Discover Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Detroit, Michigan with details on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Detroit 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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Detroit Michigan LPN programs offering practical nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles
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2027 Best LPN Programs in Detroit, MI

Finding the right Licensed Practical Nurse program in Detroit can be a challenge, but practicalnursing.org has done the research to make it easier. We rank the best LPN programs in Detroit, MI based on key factors like curriculum, clinical experience, and student outcomes. These rankings help prospective nurses compare their options and choose a school that fits their goals. Whether looking for a fast-track program or one with strong community partnerships, the list covers top choices across the area. For a full breakdown of how these rankings were determined, visit the methodology page at https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/.
#1

Monroe County Community College

Monroe, MI - Public 2-Year - monroeccc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Nursing: Practical, Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Monroe County Community College offers a Practical Nursing Certificate designed to launch careers as licensed practical nurses. The program integrates classroom theory, simulated lab practice, and clinical rotations, teaching students to deliver fundamental bedside care under the direction of RNs, physicians, or dentists. Coursework addresses acute and chronic illness care across the lifespan, preparing graduates for employment in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and community health settings. Approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and holding initial ACEN accreditation, the program also features a PN-to-RN bridge for advancement. Enrollment is limited, with one application cycle annually, ensuring a focused cohort experience. This military-friendly option provides a direct pathway into healthcare.

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
  • 1 start dates per year
  • Michigan Board of Nursing approved
  • PN to RN bridge pathway
  • Limited enrollment program
  • Classroom, lab, and clinical training
  • Prepares for LPN licensure roles
  • Employment in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes
#2

Macomb Community College

Warren, MI - Public 2-Year - macomb.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Licensed Practical Nurse

Campus Based - Visit Website

Macomb Community College launches a one-year, full-time Licensed Practical Nurse certificate program starting fall 2025. The curriculum integrates on-campus simulation labs with clinical rotations at real healthcare facilities, including a dedicated partnership with Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility. Graduates are prepared to sit for the LPN board exam and pursue roles in skilled nursing, hospitals, home health, and private practices. With nearly 5,000 LPN positions in metro Detroit and a median annual salary of $64,000, this pathway offers strong career prospects. Admission is selective, requiring prerequisite coursework, a minimum GPA, and an entrance exam. The estimated total program cost is $12,000. Applications are due June 2, 2025, for an August start.

  • Entrance exam required
  • $12,000 total program tuition
  • 1-Year program
  • Apply by 2025-06-02
  • Starts fall
  • $64,000 median earnings
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Prepares for LPN board tests
  • Nearly 5,000 LPN jobs locally
  • On-campus simulation lab
#3

Wayne County Community College District

Detroit, MI - Public 2-Year - wcccd.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Wayne County Community College District's Practical Nursing Program is an ACEN-accredited, 12-month certificate that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and LPN licensure. The curriculum covers anatomy, fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, maternal-infant, and pediatric care. Hands-on training occurs in a simulation lab with high-fidelity manikins, plus clinical rotations in long-term care, hospitals, and community sites across urban and suburban Detroit. Candidates must complete prerequisite courses and pass the HESI entrance exam; HESI exit exams monitor progress. Support includes a multi-learning lab, tutoring, an Early and Often academic intervention program, a pinning ceremony, and honors graduation opportunities.

  • ACEN accredited
  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: HESI
  • 12-Month program
  • 40 total credit hours
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Simulation lab with high-fidelity manikins
  • Graduation pinning ceremony
  • Graduation with honors available
#4

Schoolcraft Community College District

Livonia, MI - Public 4-Year - schoolcraft.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Nursing: Practical Certificate (PN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Schoolcraft Community College District offers a Practical Nursing Certificate at its Livonia Main Campus, training students for LPN roles in long-term care, hospitals, medical offices, and home health. The curriculum blends theory with clinical practice across adult, child, and family care, covering pharmacology, foundations, medical-surgical nursing, and maternal-child nursing. Approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN, the program requires an 80% minimum grade in nursing courses and a criminal background check. Clinical sessions run on day or afternoon shifts, with fall and winter start dates. Graduates meet eligibility for the NCLEX-PN and can enter the workforce or pursue registered nursing.

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
  • 2 start dates per year
  • Starts fall/winter
  • Prerequisite courses required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Approved by Michigan Board of Nursing
  • Two start terms: fall and winter
  • Clinical sessions on day or afternoon shifts
  • Minimum grade of 80% required in nursing courses
#5

Dorsey College

Madison Heights, MI - Private 2-year - dorsey.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nurse

Campus Based - Visit Website

Dorsey College delivers a one-year Practical Nurse certificate designed for rapid entry into nursing. The curriculum integrates theoretical instruction with hands-on clinical rotations across medical-surgical, maternal, pediatric, and geriatric settings. Coursework covers medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and foundational nursing skills. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN and pursue LPN roles in hospitals, long-term care, and home health. The program holds accreditation from ACEN and is available at five Michigan campuses: Madison Heights, Roseville, Saginaw, Wayne, and Woodhaven. Eligible students can access financial aid, and career services support employment after graduation.

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Council on Occupational Education accredited
  • 1-Year program
  • Complete in just one year
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • NCLEX-PN preparation included
  • Hands-on clinical training
  • Multiple Michigan campuses
  • Career services assistance
*Source: IPEDS 2025 data files, National Center for Education Statistics.

Detroit LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a hands-on role in Detroit’s healthcare system by providing direct patient care, monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with wound care, and supporting patient and family education under the direction of registered nurses and physicians. In Detroit, LPNs are essential in long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, home health organizations serving neighborhoods across the city, outpatient clinics, dialysis centers, and hospital units at major providers such as Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit Medical Center hospitals, Ascension St. John Hospital, and the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center.

Employment opportunities for LPNs in the Detroit area are steady across long-term care, home health, and outpatient settings, reflecting broader national trends noted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that link demand to the needs of an aging population and the management of chronic health conditions. City and state healthcare priorities around post-acute care and community-based services also reinforce the importance of practical nursing in and around Detroit.

Detroit-area practical nursing programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level practice and the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, the NCLEX-PN. Most full-time programs can be completed in about 12 months, while part-time or evening options may take 18 to 24 months. Curricula typically combine classroom instruction in areas such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-child health, and gerontology with skills lab practice and supervised clinical rotations in local hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics.

Practical nursing education and licensure in Michigan are regulated by the Michigan Board of Nursing within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. To become licensed, graduates must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. Michigan’s licensing process includes an application to the state, verification of education, and required background checks. The Board also approves nursing education programs and sets standards that Detroit-area schools must meet to maintain approval and ensure graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Detroit

The healthcare industry in Michigan, particularly within the Detroit metropolitan area, is projected for significant job growth through 2030. This expansion is driven in part by an aging population in Southeast Michigan, with demand for services from those aged 85 and over expected to more than double by 2050. The healthcare and social services sector demonstrates resilience, consistently adding jobs even when other industries face slowdowns, ensuring a steady demand for skilled Licensed Practical Nurses.

As of May 2023 (latest available data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), the mean hourly pay for a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan area was $30.86, translating to a mean annual salary of $64,190. This is over 7% higher than the national average for LPNs. Compensation can vary significantly based on experience, employer, and specific duties, with salaries typically ranging from approximately $52,730 (10th percentile) to $70,060 (75th percentile) annually. Entry-level LPNs generally earn less, while those with more experience and specialized skills such as leadership, delegation, and communication can command higher wages.

Licensed Practical Nurses in Detroit find diverse employment opportunities across various healthcare settings, including:

  • Hospitals:Major hospital systems are consistent employers of LPNs, offering roles in units such as medical/surgical, women’s and children’s, and surgery services. Facilities like Detroit Medical Center (DMC) and Henry Ford Health System frequently hire LPNs for inpatient, ambulatory, and specialty infusion positions. The DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, for instance, provides LPN jobs specifically in rehabilitation.
  • Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centers:These facilities are significant employers for LPNs, providing direct patient care, administering medications, and assisting residents with daily living activities. Examples include Hamilton Nursing and Rehab and the DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.
  • Home Health Agencies:There is a strong demand for LPNs in home health for private duty nursing, skilled nursing care (such as trach/vent care, medication administration, and catheter care), and patient coordination. Henry Ford Health offers home health opportunities for LPNs, as do agencies like Marisa Home Care, Inspire Home Care, and Aveanna Healthcare.
  • Senior Living and Assisted Living Facilities:LPNs are employed in assisted living communities and memory care units, providing essential nursing care to residents. Trinity Health Senior Communities, for example, lists LPN positions within these settings.
  • Clinics and Private Practices:LPN positions are available in various clinic settings, including specialty clinics, general outpatient care, and operations at BioLife plasma donation centers.

Major healthcare systems and networks consistently hiring LPNs in the Detroit area include:

  • Henry Ford Health System:As a prominent integrated healthcare provider with numerous facilities across Michigan, Henry Ford Health System regularly lists LPN positions. Their expansion, including the recent acquisition of McLaren Health Care’s facilities in the Flint and Macomb regions, further broadens opportunities.
  • Detroit Medical Center (DMC):A nationally recognized academic health system comprising eight specialty and community hospitals, DMC is one of Detroit’s largest private employers. They offer various LPN roles, including those in rehabilitation settings, and support career growth.
  • Trinity Health Michigan:This comprehensive system encompasses Mercy Health and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, along with medical groups and continuing care facilities, maintaining a significant presence and frequently listing LPN job openings across its Michigan locations.
  • Karmanos Cancer Institute:Focused on cancer research, patient care, and education, Karmanos Cancer Institute employs LPNs at its Detroit and surrounding area locations.

Beyond these large systems, numerous smaller facilities and networks also play a crucial role in LPN employment, such as specialized rehabilitation centers, local nursing homes including Hamilton Nursing and Rehab, and a variety of home health agencies throughout the Detroit metropolitan area.

List of LPN Programs in Detroit, MI

Choosing the right Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is a big step. We've gathered a list of LPN programs in Detroit, MI to make that decision easier. The table below provides each school's location, program highlights, and a link to the program page. Review the details to compare your options and find the program that fits your career goals. Start by exploring the schools below.

Detroit, MI

Wayne County Community College District

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • ACEN accredited
    • Entrance exam required
    • Exams: HESI
    • 12-Month program
    • 40 total credit hours
    • Prerequisite courses required
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Simulation lab with high-fidelity manikins
*U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025.

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