Best LPN Programs in Charlotte 2026

Stanly Community College's Practical Nursing Diploma is an intensive 12-month, three-semester pathway to LPN licensure. The curriculum blends biological sciences, critical thinking, and hands-on bedside care across acute and long-term settings. Students complete clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities, with classes held at the Crutchfield Education Center. Admission requires algebra and chemistry prerequisites, a TEAS score of at least 58.7, and Nurse Aide I certification or 240 hours of patient care experience. Priced at $3,887 total tuition (45 credit hours), the program also offers a success coach and a schedule accommodating part-time work. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN. Accredited by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and NLN CNEA.

• North Carolina Board of Nursing, National League of Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• $3,887 total program tuition
• 12-Month program
• 45 total credit hours
• Apply by 2027-03-15
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts fall
• Cohort-based structure

Gaston College offers a campus-based Practical Nursing program that blends theoretical instruction with clinical experiences to prepare future LPNs. The curriculum emphasizes safe, individualized care, teamwork across disciplines, evidence-based practice, and healthcare informatics. Graduates are fully prepared to take the NCLEX-PN, the required licensure exam. Career paths include hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies. The program holds national accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), reflecting its commitment to quality education. Students learn within a supportive environment guided by experienced faculty, with a strong focus on patient safety and quality outcomes across diverse healthcare settings.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN
• Employment in hospitals and clinics
• Focus on safe, individualized nursing care
• Emphasis on evidence-based practice and informatics
• Interdisciplinary team participation
• Curriculum integrates healthcare and nursing practice domains

Central Piedmont Community College's Dickson Practical Nursing diploma program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN in just one year (three semesters), with both full-time and part-time scheduling. Coursework spans anatomy, physiology, psychology, and nursing practice, focusing on evidence-based, individualized care under RN supervision. Hands-on clinical rotations at regional healthcare facilities build real-world skills. Graduates are equipped for acute, chronic, extended, industrial, and community care roles. Fully approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, the program requires a nurse aide certification, ATI TEAS entrance exam, prerequisite coursework, criminal background check, drug screening, CPR certification, physical exam, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. A grade of C or better is mandatory for all courses.

• North Carolina Board of Nursing accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 1-Year program
• Complete in one year (three semesters)
• 44 total credit hours
• Full-time and part-time options
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN
• Clinical education at area health care facilities

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's practical nursing diploma offers an ACEN-accredited pathway to LPN licensure. The curriculum emphasizes safety, holistic care, evidence-based practice, and informatics, preparing graduates for entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and home health. Students gain hands-on experience under supportive faculty like Dr. Emily Fink, whom alumni praise for transformative instruction. The program readies graduates for the NCLEX-PN, a vital step toward nursing careers in North Carolina, where LPNs earn an average salary of $47,080. With a projected 5% job growth in the state, this diploma provides a solid foundation for a resilient profession, equipping students with life-changing skills and confidence.

• Accreditation Commission of Education in Nursing, Inc (ACEN) accredited
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN
• NCLEX-PN licensure exam preparation
• Careers in hospitals, clinics, long-term care
• Average salary $47,080 in NC
• Led by Dr. Emily Fink
• Alumni praise supportive instructors
• Projected 5% job growth in NC

Southeastern College-Charlotte’s campus-based Practical Nurse Diploma prepares students for entry-level LPN roles in hospitals, long-term care, home health, and outpatient settings. The curriculum unfolds through six sequential courses—Practical Nursing I through VI—building proficiency in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nursing process. Clinical training combines hands-on lab practice with supervised rotations at local extended care facilities and hospitals. The program emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based care, and cultural competence. This full-time 12-month pathway leads to NCLEX-PN licensure eligibility. Admission requirements include a high school diploma, an ATI TEAS score of 45 or higher, and a Wonderlic score of 17 or above, ensuring students are prepared for rigorous study.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 12-Month program
• 6 total courses
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN
• On-campus delivery
• Clinical experience at facilities