Best LPN Programs in Kansas City 2026

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

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
Edit Template
Kansas City Missouri LPN programs offering nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing careers

2026 Best LPN Programs in Kansas City, MO

If you're looking to start your career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Kansas City, MO, finding the right program is key. At practicalnursing.org, we've done the hard work for you by ranking the best LPN programs in the area. Our list highlights schools that offer strong training, good support, and paths to success. We focus on what matters most to students, like affordability and job placement rates. Check out our detailed rankings to find a program that fits your needs and helps you reach your goals. https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Concorde Career College-Kansas City

Kansas City, MO - Private 4-year - concorde.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Concorde Career College-Kansas City offers a Practical Nursing Diploma Program that can be completed in 13-20 months through a hybrid format. Students gain comprehensive skills in patient care, including foundational nursing techniques and healthcare communication, while completing 695 clinical hours across diverse settings. The program includes 66.0 credit hours and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam, with full-time and part-time options for flexibility. Approved by the Missouri State Board, it supports military-friendly policies and provides financial aid opportunities for eligible students.

  • 13-20 month program length
  • 66.0 credit hours
  • 695 clinical hours
  • Full-time and part-time options
  • NCLEX-PN exam preparation
  • Diverse healthcare settings training
  • Missouri State Board approved
#2

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

Kansas City, MO - Public 2-Year - mcckc.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Metropolitan Community College's one-year Practical Nursing Certificate prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam through intensive clinical training at the Health Science Institute. The program spans 52.5-56.5 credit hours with fall and spring start terms, covering essential nursing procedures and patient care. Costs range from $12,367 to $24,049 based on residency. Graduates enter a field with strong job growth in Missouri, where LPNs earn a median salary of $56,030. This State Board of Nursing-approved pathway focuses on hands-on skills for diverse healthcare settings, offering a direct route to licensure without requiring entrance exams.

  • One-year nursing certificate program
  • State Board of Nursing approved
  • 52.5-56.5 total credit hours
  • Prepare for NCLEX-PN exam
  • Campus: MCC-Penn Valley
  • Diverse clinical skills training
  • Health Sciences pathway
  • Start terms: Fall, Spring
  • Career growth opportunities
*Dataset: National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2023. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Kansas City LPN Program Overview

The local care landscape includes major academic and safety net centers such as the University of Kansas Health System and University Health, alongside multi hospital systems, specialty pediatric facilities, the Kansas City VA Medical Center, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and home health agencies. Consistent with national trends reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers in long term care and community based services continue to drive steady demand for practical nurses, reflecting the needs of an aging population and ongoing care coordination outside of acute settings.

LPN programs in Kansas City are offered by community colleges, technical colleges, and universities on both sides of the state line. Most full time practical nursing pathways can be completed in about 12 months, while part time options commonly extend to 18 to 24 months. Curricula typically combine nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical surgical and geriatric care, maternal child and mental health concepts, and supervised clinical rotations at hospitals, long term care facilities, and community clinics in the metro area.

Graduates prepare for the NCLEX PN, the national licensure exam required for practice. Program approval and licensure are overseen by each state’s board of nursing. In Missouri, information on approved practical nursing programs, NCLEX PN pass rates, and licensure steps is available through the Missouri State Board of Nursing. In Kansas, program approval, application procedures, and regulatory guidance are provided by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. Because Kansas City spans Missouri and Kansas, prospective students should confirm that a program is approved by the board in the state where they plan to seek initial licensure, and review any additional state specific requirements.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Kansas City

The job market for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in Kansas City, encompassing both Missouri and Kansas, is very active. LPNs play a vital role in delivering basic nursing care under the supervision of Registered Nurses or physicians across a wide array of healthcare settings. As of May 2023, the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area employs approximately 4,600 LPNs.

Salaries for LPNs in Kansas City reflect regional variations and cost of living adjustments. In the Kansas City, MO-KS Metropolitan Statistical Area, the average annual salary for LPNs is around $54,920, or $26.40 per hour. While this is slightly lower than the national average, it is comparable when adjusted for the lower cost of living in the area.

Employment opportunities for LPNs are diverse, spanning various healthcare facilities. Hospitals and major medical centers are significant employers. Examples include St. Joseph Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center (part of HCA Midwest Health), Research Medical Center, Research Psychiatric Center, and University Health, which includes the Hospital Hill and Lakewood campuses (formerly Truman Medical Centers). Select Specialty Hospital – Kansas City North also frequently hires LPNs for various units, including medical-surgical, orthopedics, telemetry, and rehabilitation.

Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities represent another major sector for LPN employment, providing long-term and rehabilitative care. Facilities such as Highland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Grand Pavilion Health and Rehab, New Mark Care Center, Parkway Health Care Center, Redwood of Blue River, Gregory Ridge Health Care Center, and Ignite Medical Resorts actively seek LPNs. Additionally, a broad range of senior living and assisted living communities, including those managed by Tutera Senior Living & Health Care (Mission Chateau Senior Living Community, Tiffany Springs Senior Living Community), Arrow Senior Living (The Madison Senior Living), and Pivotal Health Care (Linden Woods Village), hire LPNs for roles such as Wellness Nurse Managers and charge nurses.

Home health agencies are also substantial employers, with LPNs providing direct patient care in private residences, especially for private duty nursing. Key employers in this field include Maxim Healthcare Services, Aveanna Healthcare, AdventHealth Home Health and Hospice, HCA Midwest Healthcare at Home, and Phoenix Home Care and Hospice. Private practices and clinics, such as the High Risk Pregnancy Center of Kansas City and CareNow Urgent Care, also offer opportunities for LPNs to assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in various specialty settings. Furthermore, facilities like BioLife Plasma Services frequently hire LPNs for their plasma donation centers.

List of LPN Programs in Kansas City, MO

If you are looking for LPN programs in Kansas City, MO, you have several options to consider. This list helps you find schools in the city and state, learn about program highlights, and visit their program pages for more details. Each entry includes a link to the school's website, so you can explore further and make an informed choice about your nursing education.
Jump to City:

Kansas City, MO

Concorde Career College-Kansas City

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Diploma Program

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 13-20 month program length
    • 66.0 credit hours
    • 695 clinical hours
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • NCLEX-PN exam preparation
    • Diverse healthcare settings training
    • Missouri State Board approved

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

    Campus Based - Website

    • One-year nursing certificate program
    • State Board of Nursing approved
    • 52.5-56.5 total credit hours
    • Prepare for NCLEX-PN exam
    • Campus: MCC-Penn Valley
    • Diverse clinical skills training
    • Health Sciences pathway
    • Start terms: Fall, Spring
*Reference: U.S. DOE, NCES, IPEDS 2023 data release.