Missouri operates more than 60 approved practical nursing programs, spread across community colleges, technical career centers, and hospital-based schools from the Bootheel to the Iowa border. That density is unusual: few states let a rural student commute 20 minutes to a career center cohort while a St. Louis applicant chooses among a dozen college-based options in the same metro.
With that many programs competing for the same pool of applicants, first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate becomes the clearest signal of which schools actually prepare graduates to practice, and it is the lens used to rank the top 10 programs here.
Cost, schedule length, and delivery format vary just as widely, and a program's marketing rarely explains how those factors trade off against licensure outcomes and eventual pay, which is why getting your LPN/LVN degree can be a smart strategic move.
Missouri's Top 15 LPN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-PN Performance
These Missouri practical nursing programs posted the strongest first-time NCLEX-PN results in the state, anchored by three years of pass-rate data and the number of graduates sitting behind each score. Every card below covers net price, city, and whether the program runs on campus, online, or both. Graduation rates are reported for the whole institution, not for the nursing program alone.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Program completion rates
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass results
- Accreditation and state board approval
- Net price and program format
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, student-faculty ratios and retention rates — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Bolivar Technical College
Bolivar Technical College runs a one-year practical nursing certificate built around bedside skill practice, from medical math and medication administration to electronic health records. Students log 430 clinical hours in settings that include ER, ICU, OB, dialysis, and long-term care, and NCLEX-PN prep runs through every semester. Small cohorts and an advanced simulation lab are central to how the program teaches, and most students report job offers before graduation.
- 430 clinical hours including ER, ICU, OB, dialysis, and long-term care
- One-year track or a four-semester option
- IV certification earned at graduation
- NCLEX-PN prep built into every semester
- Entrance exam required, TEAS
- Advanced simulation and skills lab on campus
- Most students employed before graduation
- Bridge to RN program available later
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Warrensburg Area Career Center
Warrensburg Area Career Center trains adults for practical nursing through a blend of classroom academics and supervised clinical work. Students begin with an introductory academic and clinical period, then rotate through hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, home health, and schools, with evening or night rotations possible. The program holds full approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing and accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education, and graduates typically start between $18 and $22 an hour.
- Full approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Accredited by the Council on Occupational Education
- Evening and night clinical rotations may be scheduled
- Clinical sites include hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and schools
- Graduates typically start between $18 and $22 per hour
- Campus-based format with personal class sizes
- 2026-2027 application packet available
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
North Central Missouri College
North Central Missouri College offers a practical nursing certificate through its health sciences division, with a curriculum centered on ethical, compassionate patient care. Graduates are prepared to work under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings. The certificate is designed as a foundation for further nursing education, and coursework emphasizes critical thinking and collaboration on the care team.
- Certificate pathway centered on ethical, compassionate bedside care
- Prepares graduates for entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care
- Builds critical thinking and care-team collaboration skills
- Serves as a stepping stone toward further nursing advancement
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Hannibal-LaGrange University
Hannibal-LaGrange University's school of nursing delivers a 12-month practical nursing certificate with deliberately low faculty-to-student ratios. Instruction combines classroom work with hands-on clinical experience, covering patient assessment, medication administration, and care planning. The program holds full approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing, and graduates move into hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics. Financial aid is available for students who qualify.
- 12-month practical nursing certificate
- Approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Low faculty-to-student ratio with personalized attention
- Financial aid available for eligible students
- Covers patient assessment, medication administration, and care planning
- Graduates hired in hospitals, long-term care, and clinics
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Mineral Area College
Mineral Area College's practical nursing certificate is a three-semester program built around hands-on clinical skills and foundational nursing knowledge. Coursework spans patient care, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing, and the college runs two tracks, including a fast-track option that feeds into its advanced placement ADN bridge. There is no application fee, TEAS testing is required, and MAOF scholarships help lower the cost of entry for Park Hills area students.
- Three-semester practical nursing certificate
- Two tracks offered within the program
- Fast-track option that bridges into the advanced placement ADN
- Entrance exam required, TEAS
- $0 application fee
- MAOF scholarship opportunities available
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Crowder College
Crowder College's practical nurse certificate is a 52-credit, two-semester program taught in a hybrid format at its Nevada and McDonald County instructional centers. No college-level prerequisites are required, admission is selective, and faculty emphasize individualized instruction alongside clinical practice. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN and work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care, with a bridge to RN programs available for those who want to keep going.
- Two-semester, 52-credit practical nurse certificate
- Hybrid format taught at the Nevada and McDonald County centers
- No college-level prerequisites required
- Selective admission with individualized instruction
- One start date per year, beginning in fall
- Approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Bridge to RN programs for graduates
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — Hybrid
East Central College
East Central College's licensed practical nursing certificate blends theory and clinical education across three course sequences and is offered at Rolla and Washington as well as the Union health sciences campus. Admission is selective and points-based, with a 2.0 GPA minimum, completed prerequisites, and a HESI reading score requirement. Students should plan on 20 to 30 hours of study each week outside class, and both financial aid and scholarships are available.
- LPN certificate offered in Rolla and Washington
- Apply by 2026-05-01
- Entrance exam required, HESI, minimum reading score of 77
- 2.0 GPA minimum and prerequisites completed with a C or better
- Criminal background check and drug screening required
- Attendance at a required informational session
- Selective admission based on academic points
- Scholarships and financial aid available
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Jefferson College
Jefferson College is a public community college in Hillsboro serving the Jefferson County area south of St. Louis. Nursing sits within the college's health programs, which include a practical nursing option for students heading into LPN practice. The institution-wide graduation rate sits near 38 percent, which reflects the broader student body rather than the nursing cohort specifically.
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Three Rivers College
Three Rivers College offers a one-year practical nurse certificate at its Poplar Bluff and Sikeston campuses in southeast Missouri. The curriculum covers nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, mental health, obstetrics and pediatrics, and intravenous therapy, supported by simulation labs and clinical rotations at local facilities. Admission requires the TEAS exam and a minimum GPA, and the program reports strong licensure pass and job placement outcomes for its graduates.
- One-year practical nurse certificate
- Offered at the Poplar Bluff and Sikeston campuses
- Entrance exam required, TEAS, with a 2.0 GPA minimum
- Hands-on training in high-tech simulation labs
- Coursework covers pharmacology, med-surg, mental health, OB, pediatrics, IV therapy
- BLS-HCP certification included
- Approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Program reports a 99% licensure pass rate and 94% job placement
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Saint Louis Community College
Saint Louis Community College delivers a two-semester practical nursing certificate of proficiency at a total program cost of roughly $6,000, with tuition set at $127 per credit for in-district residents. Simulation labs modeled on hospital units support clinical training, and rotations run through partners such as Lutheran Senior Services and Mercy Health. An RN Bridge course lets graduates continue into an associate degree in nursing, and free tutoring and support services are part of the package.
- Two-semester practical nursing certificate of proficiency
- About $6,000 total program tuition at $127 per credit
- Patient simulation labs that replicate hospital environments
- IV therapy integrated into the curriculum
- Clinical rotations with partners such as Lutheran Senior Services and Mercy Health
- RN Bridge course transitions graduates into an associate degree in nursing
- Approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Free tutoring and support services available
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lowest-Cost LPN Programs in Missouri
Cost is one of the biggest factors for students choosing an LPN program, and Missouri's community colleges offer some of the most affordable options in the region. The table below ranks five programs by their institution-wide average net price after financial aid, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education. Keep in mind that this net price reflects an average across all students and programs at each college, not a guaranteed LPN-specific figure. Your actual out-of-pocket cost could be lower if you qualify for Pell Grants, state workforce development funding, or institutional scholarships.
| School | City | In-State Tuition (Published) | Out-of-State Tuition (Published) | Avg. Net Price After Aid | Program Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Charles Community College | Cottleville | $5,820 | $7,620 | $5,837 | 46 credit hours |
| Moberly Area Community College | Moberly | $6,750 | $8,640 | $6,810 | 1 year |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | Springfield | $5,744 | $7,040 | $6,936 | 1 year (49 credit hours) |
| State Fair Community College | Sedalia | $5,784 | $7,416 | $7,985 | 1 year (55 credit hours) |
| Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City | Kansas City | $7,110 | $9,600 | $8,398 | Less than 1 year (52.5 to 56.5 credit hours) |
Accelerated and Short-Format LPN Programs in Missouri
Search traffic for "6 month LPN programs in Missouri" and "12 week LPN program" is heavy, but the honest answer is that no accredited Missouri LPN program finishes in 6 months, and certainly not 12 weeks. Any 12-week nursing course you find in Missouri is either a certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential, a single class inside a longer curriculum, or a block within LPN to RN bridge programs in Missouri for already-licensed LPNs moving into an ADN program. It is not a legitimate route to a practical nursing license.
What "Fast" Actually Looks Like in Missouri
The fastest board-approved LPN programs in the state, the Fastest LPN/LVN Programs of 2026, run roughly 10.5 to 13 months. A few standouts:
- Cass Career Center (Harrisonville): Accelerated Practical Nursing Program, 10.5 months, hybrid delivery with designated virtual learning days, Full Approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
- Concorde Career College, Kansas City: Practical Nursing Diploma in as few as 13 months on the daytime track.
- Southern Missouri Technical Institute: 12-month practical nursing program.
- Hannibal-LaGrange University: 12-month LPN certificate.
- Texas County Technical College (Houston): 47-week certificate with 432 clinical hours built in.
What these programs share is full-time, block-scheduled coursework, minimal or no summer break, and clinical rotations packed tightly against classroom hours. That density is what compresses the calendar, not shortcuts to content.
Evening, Weekend, and Part-Time Tracks
If a daytime schedule is not workable, part-time and evening/weekend cohorts extend the timeline in exchange for flexibility. Concorde Career College in Kansas City runs an evening/weekend version of the same diploma that takes about 20 months to complete instead of 13. Bolivar Technical College's practical nursing program is offered in a 3-semester (47-week) full-time format or a 4-semester (63-week) extended format. Expect most part-time LPN options in Missouri to land in the 18 to 24 month range.
Hybrid and Online Didactic Delivery
Several Missouri schools now deliver lecture content through hybrid formats, which can shave commuting time and open up seats for rural students. Cass Career Center's virtual learning days are one example. But hybrid does not mean shorter. Missouri State Board of Nursing rules still require every clinical hour to be completed in person at an approved facility, and those clinical blocks (400 plus hours in most programs) are the real anchor on how quickly you can finish.
Online and Hybrid LPN Options Across Missouri
Eight Missouri practical nursing programs currently blend online coursework with in-person instruction, but none deliver the full credential remotely. That is not a marketing gap, it is a licensing reality: the Missouri State Board of Nursing requires supervised clinical hours performed on-site at an approved facility, so "online LPN programs in Missouri" really means hybrid didactic delivery paired with mandatory in-person labs and clinical rotations, a process detailed in the Complete Guide to LPN/LVN Clinical Rotations.
Which Schools Offer Hybrid Formats
Several Community College Nursing Programs, Ozarks Technical Community College, Bolivar Technical College, Cass Career Center, Crowder College, and St. Louis Community College, along with Concorde Career College in Kansas City and Stepful College's Missouri practical nursing track all structure lecture content online or asynchronously, then bring students on campus for skills labs and clinical placements. Missouri State University-West Plains also offers a hybrid format, though its program is an LPN-to-RN bridge for already-licensed nurses rather than an entry point into practical nursing, a distinction covered in Choosing the Right LPN/LVN Bridge Program.
How Clinical Placement Works
Most of these schools coordinate clinical sites directly, assigning students to hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities near campus once online coursework milestones are met. MSU-West Plains is the clearest exception: its online cohort students self-schedule clinical hours with a preceptor at a board-approved facility, and the program's existing site network spans Missouri and northern Arkansas, an option worth noting for students in that border region. Exact scheduling responsibilities at the other hybrid schools are not always spelled out publicly, so ask directly during enrollment.
What to Expect Time-Wise
Hybrid formats generally lean toward online lecture and reserve in-person time for labs and clinicals, though the exact split varies by school and semester. Treat any percentage you hear as a general guide, not a guarantee, and confirm current clinical site availability before enrolling, especially if you live outside a program's immediate service area.
Explore other Missouri related topics
Related Articles
What It Takes to Pick the Right LPN Program
Not every LPN program that accepts your application deserves your tuition dollars. The difference between a program that launches your career and one that wastes your time often comes down to five measurable factors you can verify before you ever set foot on campus.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate Is Your First Filter
A program's first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate tells you how well its graduates are prepared for licensure. Look for programs that consistently score above the national average, not just in the most recent year but over three or more consecutive reporting periods. A single strong year can be a statistical blip; sustained performance signals genuine instructional quality. Missouri's Board of Nursing publishes these figures annually, so there is no reason to guess.
Accreditation Status and Why It Matters
Every LPN program in Missouri must hold approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing to operate. Some programs also carry programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The distinction is practical: Accredited LPN and RN Programs are more widely recognized when you apply to LPN-to-RN bridge programs or seek employment in another state. If career mobility is part of your long-term plan, prioritize ACEN accreditation. State approval alone is sufficient for Missouri licensure, but it may limit your options down the road.
Compare Net Price, Not Sticker Tuition
Tuition is only the starting number. Programs vary widely in what they bundle into that figure and what they charge separately. Ask about:
- Uniforms and clinical supplies: Some programs require specific kits that add hundreds to your bill.
- Background checks and drug screens: Often mandatory before clinical rotations begin.
- Testing fees: Practice exams, ATI or HESI packages, and the NCLEX-PN exam fee itself.
- Financial aid and scholarships: Community colleges in particular may offer institutional grants that significantly reduce net cost below the figures on the Most Affordable LPN/LVN Programs for 2026 list.
Request an itemized cost breakdown from every program you are comparing.
Schedule Format and Clinical Access
Programs in metro areas like Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis tend to partner with a wider range of hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics, as the Best LPN Programs in St. Louis 2026 list shows. That variety exposes you to more patient populations and care settings during training. Rural programs may offer smaller cohorts and closer faculty attention, but fewer clinical rotation sites. Decide which tradeoff serves your learning style and career goals, and ask each program exactly where students complete clinical hours before you commit.
How to Get Your LPN License in Missouri
From your first day of class to a multistate license, the entire journey to becoming an LPN in Missouri typically takes 12 to 18 months. Most approved practical nursing programs run 11 to 14 months; add four to eight weeks for the application, background check, and NCLEX-PN testing window and you have a realistic end-to-end timeline. Because Missouri is a member of the enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), qualifying graduates receive a multistate license that lets them practice in roughly 40 compact states without applying for additional credentials.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates: Missouri vs. the National Average
Pass rates are more than a ranking metric. They tell you how well a program prepares its students to clear the licensure exam on the first attempt, which directly affects how quickly you can start working. Missouri's 2025 aggregate first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate came in at 91.9% across 1,191 candidates, outpacing the national average by more than five percentage points. State regulations require every approved practical nursing program to maintain at least an 80% first-time pass rate each calendar year, so programs that consistently exceed that floor signal strong curriculum alignment with current exam content. Individual school rates ranged from that 80% regulatory minimum up to a perfect 100%, as reported by programs like Bolivar Technical College for their December 2025 graduates. The ranking earlier in this article weights NCLEX-PN performance heavily; this chart puts the raw numbers side by side so you can see the gap for yourself.
LPN Pay in Missouri: Statewide and by Metro Area
LPN/LVN Salary in Missouri refers to what licensed practical nurses actually take home across the state, and how that figure shifts depending on where you work. Statewide, federal wage survey data puts the average annual wage for Missouri's roughly 14,320 working LPNs at $58,900, or about $28.32 an hour. Earnings spread out from there: the lower quarter of LPNs report annual pay closer to $51,000, while the top quarter clears $63,440. That range matters more than any single number, since shift differentials, facility type, and years of experience all push individual paychecks up or down.
Metro-by-Metro Breakdown
St. Louis and Kansas City, home to many of the programs in Best LPN Programs in St. Louis 2026 and Best LPN Programs in Kansas City 2026, are Missouri's two largest LPN job markets by far, together accounting for the bulk of the state's practical nursing workforce. Older regional survey data (not the same current statewide figures above) put St. Louis employment at roughly 7,460 LPNs with an average wage near $31,491 annually, and Kansas City at about 4,860 LPNs averaging around $28,600. Because these metro figures come from a different survey period than the statewide numbers, treat them as a rough regional comparison rather than an apples-to-apples match. Published, current metro-level detail for Springfield was not available at the time of writing, though the city's hospital and long-term care presence keeps it an active hiring market for new LPN graduates.
Job Outlook and Demand Drivers
Missouri's LPN job growth is projected in the low single digits statewide, with one state projections source citing 2.29 percent growth and roughly 1,264 total annual openings when replacements are included.1 Other projection sets vary somewhat depending on the year and methodology behind them, so treat any specific growth percentage as directional rather than fixed. What stays consistent across sources is the demand driver: Missouri's aging population is increasing the need for long-term care, skilled nursing, and home health services, all settings where LPNs do much of the frontline clinical work. St. Louis shows notably faster projected growth than Kansas City in the regional data, likely reflecting its larger concentration of long-term care and rehabilitation facilities. For students weighing where to work after licensure, both major metros currently offer steady hiring volume, even if year-to-year wage figures require checking current, local sources before you negotiate an offer.
LPN-to-RN Bridge Pathways Available in Missouri
Missouri LPNs weighing an RN credential face two distinct LPN to RN Bridge Programs: a faster LPN-to-ADN option that can return you to the bedside in about a year, and an LPN-to-BSN option that builds broader career flexibility over a longer timeline. The right choice usually depends on whether you want the quickest RN license or a bachelor's degree that supports leadership and specialty roles later.
Fast LPN-to-ADN Bridges
Several Missouri schools run streamlined ADN bridge programs for working LPNs. - Missouri State University-West Plains: LPN-to-RN Bridge (ASN), 65 credits, 15 credits awarded for prior LPN experience, about one academic year. Hybrid/online; online students visit campus twice. Admission is limited to Missouri or Arkansas residents. - Moberly Area Community College: LPN to ADN Bridge, about 12 months, hybrid, with labs and clinicals on the Moberly, Mexico, Columbia, and Hannibal campuses. - East Central College: LPN to RN Bridge, January 2026 to December 2026, about 12 months and designed for working LPNs. - Southwest Baptist University: ASN Bridge, three semesters. Mineral Area College, Three Rivers College, and St. Charles Community College also list bridge routes, but published details on length or transfer credits are limited as of 2026.
What Transfers and How Long It Adds
Missouri State University-West Plains is the clearest published example: it awards 15 credits for LPN experience toward a 65-credit ASN, so much of the first-year ADN content is covered. Other schools describe advanced placement without stating exact credit awards. Most LPN to ADN Programs in Missouri run 12 months or three semesters, about a year instead of the traditional two-year ADN.
LPN-to-BSN and Hybrid/Online Paths
Missouri Western State University offers an LPN-BSN Pathway in hybrid form, and Missouri Valley College lists an online LPN to BSN track. Published BSN bridge lengths are not yet specified as of 2026. These BSN bridges generally take longer than ADN bridges because they fold RN preparation into a full bachelor's degree, commonly two to three years of additional study for LPNs with few completed general education credits.
Why Consider the Bridge
Moving from LPN to RN expands the jobs you can hold. RNs qualify for charge nurse, specialty, and supervisory positions that many facilities reserve for registered nurses. For LPNs seeking more autonomy, broader clinical responsibilities, and stronger long-term earning potential, LPN Bridge Programs in Missouri are the most direct route.
More LPN Programs Across Missouri
The ranked programs above cover part of Missouri's practical nursing landscape, but they are not the only options. What follows is a non-ranked directory of additional practical nursing programs around the state, grouped by region and listing city, format, and reported average net price where available. Use it as a starting point for your own research rather than a second ranking.
St. Louis Metro Area
- Practical Nursing Certificate
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
Southeast Missouri
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing Program
Southwest Missouri
- Nursing, Practical Nursing Certificate
- Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN)
Central Missouri
- Professional Certificate in Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing Technology
- Practical Nursing
South Central Missouri
- Practical Nursing (LPN)
- Practical Nursing (Adults Only)
- Practical Nursing
Northeast Missouri
- Practical Nurse
