Roughly 4,070 LPNs worked across the Kansas City metro in 2022, including at HCA Midwest, Saint Luke's, University Health, and a growing network of skilled nursing facilities; the median hourly pay was near $25.94. That demand is real, but so is a complication many applicants overlook: Kansas City straddles the Missouri-Kansas state line, and the two states maintain separate licensing boards, distinct scope-of-practice rules, and different NCLEX endorsement processes. Choosing a program on the wrong side of State Line Road can add weeks of paperwork before you start working.
Local salary benchmarks, NCLEX-PN pass rates, tuition comparisons, and schedule options for day, evening, and hybrid tracks are covered throughout. Jump straight to the program list →
Kansas City's Healthcare Landscape for LPNs
The Kansas City metro straddles two states and supports a healthcare economy that consistently generates hundreds of LPN openings. Between 2025 and 2026, aggregated job boards showed roughly 530 LPN positions across the metro,1 spanning hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and specialty clinics.
Major Employers Across the Metro
Hospital systems anchor much of the demand. University Health KC ranked among the top LPN employers in 2026, while Saint Luke's Health System posted at least 17 open LPN roles on a single aggregation site that same year. The University of Kansas Health System hires LPNs at its Overland Park campus, and AdventHealth Centra Care staffs positions in Shawnee Mission on the Kansas side.3 North Kansas City Hospital operates a home health division through Alternate Solutions Health Network, adding community-based roles to the mix.4
Outside hospitals, long-term care and post-acute networks such as Outfield Healthcare Partners, Parkway Health Care Center, and recovery-focused employers like Midwest Recovery Centers each carried double-digit LPN openings in 2026. Home health and hospice agencies, including BAYADA Home Health Care and Enhabit Home Health and Hospice5, round out the employer landscape with full-time LPN positions in private-duty, skilled visits, and LPNs in Hospice Care roles.
A Two-State Advantage
Because the metro stretches across Independence, Lee's Summit, and Liberty on the Missouri side and Overland Park and Olathe , home to LPN schools in Kansas , graduates who hold licensure in only one state limit their options. Applying for endorsement in the neighboring state opens access to the full job market. Missouri participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which can simplify multistate practice.
Missouri's IV Therapy Scope
One practical difference worth noting: Missouri allows LPNs to perform IV therapy, including initiating peripheral lines with devices up to three inches7 and administering premixed medications through existing patent lines, after completing a board-approved course.6 A 2025 emergency amendment further expanded that scope to include IV push and bolus administration with additional training and employer competency validation, though chemotherapy, blood transfusions, thrombolytics, and procedural sedation remain prohibited. This expanded scope can make Missouri-licensed LPNs more competitive in acute and post-acute settings compared to LPNs in some neighboring states where IV privileges are more restricted.
LPN Salaries and Job Outlook in the Kansas City Metro
In 2022, roughly 4,070 LPNs worked in the Kansas City MO-KS metro, earning a median $25.94 an hour, which works out to just under $54,000 a year. The mean annual wage came in slightly higher at $54,700, and LPNs made up about 3.86 of every 1,000 jobs in the metro, a concentration the government rates as somewhat below the national average for the occupation.
How KC Pay Compares
The federal wage survey for the KC metro didn't break wages into the full 10th-through-90th percentile spread, so a complete local LPN/LVN Salary range isn't available. A city-level salary aggregator focused on Kansas City, MO does offer that shape: roughly $37,650 at the lower end, a median near $48,200, $51,530 at the 75th percentile, and about $59,770 for top earners. Those figures run a bit below the metro's federal median, which is typical when comparing employer-reported city data to the broader metro-wide government survey.
Zoom out to the Kansas side of the metro and pay looks stronger: LPNs statewide in Kansas earned a median $61,760 in the most recent year reported, with a range from about $49,780 at the 10th percentile to $77,290 at the 90th, according to Kansas LPN salary data. That statewide figure sits well above both the KC metro median and the city-level estimates, a reminder that pay can shift meaningfully depending on the geographic lens: a city, a metro area, or an entire state.
What's Not Yet Clear
Setting-by-setting pay data, hospital versus skilled nursing versus home health, isn't broken out for the KC metro in the available wage reporting, so LPNs weighing where to work locally should ask prospective employers directly about shift differentials and setting-based pay rather than relying on a single published figure.
What Kansas City LPN Graduates Earn After Completing Their Program
Wages for licensed practical nurses in the Kansas City metro area span a wide range depending on experience, setting, and shift differentials. Entry-level LPNs typically earn in the 10th to 25th percentile band, while experienced LPNs working in hospital or specialty settings often reach the 75th to 90th percentile range. The national median of $59,730 serves as a useful benchmark, and Kansas City LPN wages track closely to that figure.
Common Questions About Kansas City LPN Programs
Prospective students researching LPN classes in Kansas City often have similar questions about timelines, scheduling flexibility, and online options. Below are answers drawn from current program details at three area schools.
How long does it take to complete an LPN program in Kansas City, MO?
It depends on the school and schedule you choose among the best LPN programs in Missouri. Cass Career Center offers an accelerated track that wraps up in about 10.5 months. MCC Penn Valley's Practical Nursing Certificate runs under 12 months as a full-time day program. Concorde Career College Kansas City finishes in roughly 13 months on a daytime schedule, or about 20 months if you enroll in the evening and weekend track.
Are there evening or weekend LPN classes in the Kansas City area?
Concorde Career College Kansas City is the standout option for non-traditional hours. Its evening and weekend practical nursing track meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings with weekend clinical shifts, stretching the program to approximately 80 weeks. MCC Penn Valley and Cass Career Center currently offer daytime-only schedules with no evening or weekend format listed.
Can you complete an LPN program fully online in Kansas City?
No Kansas City area LPN program is fully online as of 2026. Nursing skills labs and clinical rotations require hands-on, in-person hours at every school. Concorde delivers a hybrid LPN program where up to about 25 percent of total contact hours may be completed online, but the remaining coursework and all clinicals are on campus or at clinical sites. Cass Career Center uses a limited hybrid model with occasional designated virtual days, while MCC Penn Valley is entirely in person.
Related Articles
Day, Evening, and Hybrid Schedules at Kansas City LPN Schools
Choosing the right schedule track can determine whether you finish your LPN program in just over a year or spread it across nearly two years to keep a paycheck coming in. Below is a side-by-side look at three Kansas City area programs and the schedule formats they offer. Working adults who need nights and weekends should look closely at Concorde's evening/weekend track, while students who can commit to full-time days will finish fastest at MCC Penn Valley or Cass Career Center.
| School | Schedule Track | Class Days and Hours | Program Length | Clinical Hours Separate? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCC Penn Valley | Day only | Monday through Friday, daytime hours | Approximately 12 months | Clinical rotations are scheduled during the day track and may fall on different days than classroom sessions |
| Concorde Career College (Kansas City) | Full-time day | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 13 months | Clinical hours are built into the daytime schedule, though exact days may shift by course |
| Concorde Career College (Kansas City) | Evening and weekend | Tuesday and Thursday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (classroom); Saturday and Sunday, 12-hour clinical shifts between 6:30 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. | 20 months | Yes. Clinicals are held on weekends, separate from weekday evening lectures |
| Cass Career Center | Day with hybrid virtual days | Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; select days are designated as virtual learning from home | Approximately 11 to 12 months | Clinical rotations follow the full-time day schedule and are coordinated separately from virtual learning days |
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for Kansas City LPN Programs
How can you verify whether a Kansas City LPN program actually prepares students to pass the licensing exam?
Understanding NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
The NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate is the single clearest indicator of how well a program's curriculum and clinical training translate to licensure success. A strong pass rate, generally 80% or higher for first-time test-takers, signals that graduates are leaving with the knowledge and skills the exam expects. Programs consistently falling below state or national averages may have gaps in instruction, limited clinical hours, or inadequate exam preparation resources.
National Benchmarks for Comparison
National NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates for U.S.-educated candidates have fluctuated in recent years. In 2021, the national average dipped to 79.6%, then held at 79.93% in 2022 before jumping to 86.67% in 2023. 2025 data shows a similar figure around 86.3%.1 These numbers give you a baseline: any program matching or exceeding these thresholds is performing at or above standard.
Kansas City Program-Specific Data
The Missouri State Board of Nursing publishes quarterly and annual reports that include program-level NCLEX-PN results for schools like MCC Penn Valley, Concorde Career College Kansas City, and Cass Career Center.2 However, the most recent detailed breakdowns by program are not always immediately accessible online, and cohort sizes at some schools may be small enough that year-to-year rates swing significantly.
Before enrolling, request the school's official pass rate report directly from admissions or check the Missouri Board of Nursing's published nursing education reports. Ask for at least two years of data to identify whether rates are stable, improving, or declining. A single strong year could reflect an unusually prepared cohort rather than consistent program quality.
Why This Matters
A high pass rate reduces the risk of a costly retake and the delay it would add before you start working. Programs with transparent, consistently strong results demonstrate accountability to students and employers alike.
Admission Requirements and How to Apply
Kansas City LPN programs share a core set of admission requirements, but deadlines, testing thresholds, and prerequisite expectations differ enough that you should start gathering documents early. Below is a general checklist followed by program-specific details for the three schools most frequently considered by metro-area applicants.
- High School Diploma or GEDEvery program requires an accredited high school diploma or GED. Concorde Career College also requires applicants to be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible noncitizen with a Social Security number.
- TEAS Entrance ExamAll three schools require the ATI TEAS. MCC Penn Valley sets its adjusted total score minimum at 50 percent, with results valid for three years. You may take the TEAS only twice in a three-year window, and you must wait at least 30 days between attempts. Cass Career Center gives first consideration to applicants who score 54 percent or above; scores between 50 and 53.9 percent may be reviewed on a space-available basis after the initial selection round. Scores below 50 percent are not accepted at Cass. Concorde requires an entrance assessment, though its specific minimum score is not publicly listed.
- GPA Threshold (Where Applicable)MCC Penn Valley requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on any prior MCC coursework. Cass Career Center and Concorde do not publish a GPA requirement at this time.
- Prerequisite CoursesCass Career Center does not require any prerequisite coursework before enrollment. MCC Penn Valley's published requirements center on the TEAS and GPA conditions; confirm directly with the nursing department whether anatomy and physiology or other courses are expected. Many programs across the metro recommend familiarity with basic math and introductory science.
- Background Check, Drug Screening, and ImmunizationsExpect a criminal background check and drug screen as standard clinical-access requirements. Concorde explicitly requires a physical exam and up-to-date immunization records. Other programs typically mandate the same before clinical rotations begin. CPR certification (BLS for Healthcare Providers) is also commonly required prior to entering the clinical phase.
- Application Deadlines and Cohort StartsMCC Penn Valley runs two application cycles: the June 13 deadline feeds a fall quarter start, and the December 1 deadline feeds a spring quarter start. Cass Career Center opens its Phase 1 application window from January through March each year, with admission-by-exception review following in the spring. Concorde operates on a rolling admissions model, so there is no single annual deadline, you can apply online and schedule a virtual or on-campus interview as spots become available.
- How to ApplyAt MCC Penn Valley, submit your application through the college's standard admissions portal and ensure TEAS scores are on file before the relevant deadline. At Concorde, complete the online application, provide proof of graduation or GED, and prepare for a virtual interview (an on-campus option may be available by request). Cass Career Center applicants submit during the Phase 1 window and must also complete a video or written interview component as part of the selection process. In all cases, start at least two to three months before the deadline so you have time to schedule the TEAS, order transcripts, and gather health records.
Top LPN Programs for Kansas City Students
Below are the top LPN programs serving Kansas City students, ranked by completion data, accreditation status, and program fit. Each entry weighs what matters most to learners in the metro: how far the commute runs, how flexible the schedule is, where clinicals take place, and what students actually pay after financial aid.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt loads
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Accreditation and state board approval
- Program fit for Kansas City students
- Net price after financial aid
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City is the metro's largest public two-year college, and its Practical Nursing Certificate holds approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Classes meet at the Health Science Institute on the Kansas City campus, so students living on either side of the state line face a short commute, and a metro tuition rate extended to residents of several Kansas border counties lowers costs for cross-state commuters. The college's institution-wide graduation rate is about 34 percent, and graduates who want to keep going can step into a local LPN-to-ADN bridge. Program-level earnings for LPN completers are not yet published.
- $126 per credit plus roughly $5,000 in additional program fees
- 52.5 to 56.5 credit hours, finished in less than one year
- Fall and spring starts; applications due September 30
- Approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Hands-on training at the Health Science Institute
- Prepares graduates to sit for NCLEX-PN licensure
- Financial aid and scholarships available
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Johnson County Community College
Johnson County Community College runs its Practical Nursing Certificate out of the Olathe Health Education Center, adjacent to Olathe Medical Center, which puts students inside a working health system without leaving the metro. The program is selective with cohorts capped at 32 students, and it offers both full-time and part-time pacing across three start dates a year, a structure that suits Kansas City-area students who keep working while they train. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 31 percent, and the certificate is eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship, which can reshape the real cost for Kansas residents. Program-level LPN earnings are not reported yet.
- Nine months full time or 14 months part time
- Three start dates per year across fall, spring and summer
- Cohorts capped at 32 students with low student-to-instructor ratios
- Simulation training at the Olathe Health Education Center
- Clinical rotations in pediatrics, obstetrics and gerontology
- Approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing
- Eligible for the Kansas Promise Scholarship
- Selective admission with no year-to-year waiting list
Practical Nursing (LPN) Certificate — On-Campus
Concorde Career College-Kansas City
Concorde Career College-Kansas City delivers its Practical Nursing diploma in a blended format, splitting coursework between online instruction, campus labs, and clinical placements around the metro. The Kansas City campus holds approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing, and the part-time evening and weekend track is built for students already working full time. The institution-wide graduation rate is roughly 53 percent, and the college maps out a pathway for graduates who later return for RN training. Program-level earnings for the LPN diploma are not yet available.
- 66 credit hours completed in as few as 13 months
- 188 lab hours plus 695 clinical hours
- Full-time and part-time evening or weekend tracks
- Blended delivery with a portion of coursework online
- NCLEX-PN review included in the curriculum
- Approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Pathway to continue on toward RN licensure
