Best LPN Programs in Cincinnati 2026

Find Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs in Cincinnati, Ohio with information on schools, classes, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the Cincinnati 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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Cincinnati Ohio LPN programs offering practical nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing careers

2027 Best LPN Programs in Cincinnati, OH

Practicalnursing.org is the source for this ranking of the best LPN programs in Cincinnati, OH. We built this list to give future nurses a reliable starting point. Our team rated schools based on tuition costs, NCLEX-PN pass rates, faculty qualifications, and clinical training options. We also looked at how each program supports students and prepares them for licensing. The programs featured here stand out for affordability and quality. Whether you're starting a new career or moving up in healthcare, these LPN programs offer a solid path forward. To see exactly how we score each school, check out our methodology: https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati, OH - Public 4-Year - cincinnatistate.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College offers a Practical Nursing Certificate designed to launch your career as an LPN. This Ohio Board of Nursing-accredited, three-semester program comprises 39 credit hours and requires a minimum 2.5 GPA for admission. Students gain hands-on clinical experience in basic nursing skills, with coursework covering maternal, adult, child, and geriatric care, as well as mental health concepts. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN and can expect median earnings of $53,472, reflecting strong job demand. The program features a selective admission process and a State Tested Nurse Aide prerequisite, while transfer pathways to RN programs support further advancement.

  • Ohio Board of Nursing accredited
  • 3-Semester program
  • 39 total credit hours
  • 2.5 GPA minimum
  • $53,472 median earnings
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Clinical practice in basic nursing skills
  • Covers maternal, adult, child, geriatric care
  • Selective admission process
  • Transfer options to RN programs
#2

ATA College-Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH - Private 2-year - ata.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

ATA College-Cincinnati’s Practical Nursing diploma program is an accelerated 15-month pathway combining online instruction, on-campus labs, and off-site clinical rotations at area healthcare facilities. Coursework includes practical nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, and maternal/newborn care, with built-in NCLEX-PN preparation assessments. No prerequisites or waiting lists are required, and students receive laptops plus career placement assistance from the Career Services team. Graduates earn eligibility for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Employment settings span hospitals, skilled care, assisted living, clinics, and home health. While the program offers experienced faculty and hands-on training, its reported 26% licensure pass rate is a significant consideration for prospective LPN students.

  • 15-Month program
  • 26% licensure pass rate
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • No waiting list
  • Laptops available to students
  • Online portion of classes
  • NCLEX preparation assessments included
  • Career placement assistance
  • Off-site clinical experience
  • Experienced nursing faculty
*U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS 2025.

Cincinnati LPN Program Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses play a hands-on role in Cincinnati’s healthcare system by providing bedside care, medication administration within Ohio’s scope of practice, wound care, patient education, and support to registered nurses and physicians. In Ohio, LPNs practice under the direction of an RN, physician, or other authorized provider, and their education is designed to prepare them for direct patient care in both acute and long-term settings.

Cincinnati serves as a regional medical hub for Southwest Ohio, with a mix of academic and community hospitals, primary care and specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. These settings employ large numbers of practical nurses for inpatient units, outpatient clinics, extended care, and home-based services. State labor market information and national employment data consistently indicate steady demand for LPNs in Ohio, particularly in long-term care, rehabilitation, and home health, reflecting the needs of an aging population and ongoing access to outpatient services.

Local LPN programs in Cincinnati are typically offered through public career centers and community colleges. While curricula vary by institution, common timelines include:

  • Full-time day programs that can be completed in about 12 months, designed for continuous, immersive study.
  • Part-time or evening/weekend options that span approximately 18 to 24 months, accommodating working adults.

Programs combine classroom instruction with skills lab and supervised clinical rotations at area hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. This structure is intended to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN and safe entry-level practice.

The Ohio Board of Nursing approves practical nursing programs and oversees licensure for LPNs in the state. Graduates of approved programs must pass the NCLEX-PN to obtain licensure in Ohio. For current rules, scope of practice information, and program approval status, consult the Ohio Board of Nursing.

Employment Opportunities for LPNs in Cincinnati

The healthcare landscape in Cincinnati, Ohio, presents a robust and varied array of employment opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses. LPNs are consistently in demand across the region, reflecting a crucial need for their skilled care in diverse settings.

LPNs in Cincinnati can find roles across a broad spectrum of healthcare facilities, where they provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor patient progress, and ensure safe environments. These settings commonly include:

  • Hospitals and Healthcare Systems:Major employers such as UC Health, which operates UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital, frequently offer LPN positions. TriHealth also actively seeks LPNs for various roles, including within their extensive network of physician offices. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center employs LPNs, particularly for private duty pediatric home care.
  • Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities:These facilities are significant employers of LPNs, with examples including Bridgetown Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, Delhi Post Acute, Mount Washington Care Center, Sanctuary Pointe Nursing & Rehab, Garden Park Care Center, Triple Creek Retirement Community, and The Mariemont Care Center.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:LPNs assist patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery at centers like Madeira Health Care Center and Encompass Health.
  • Senior Living Facilities:This category encompasses assisted living, independent living, and continuing care retirement communities. Employers such as Brookdale Senior Living, Maple Knoll Communities (Maple Knoll Village), Wallick Senior Living (The Ashford of Mt. Washington), Evergreen Retirement Community, Senior Lifestyle, and Episcopal Retirement Services frequently seek LPNs for resident care.
  • Home Health Agencies:LPNs provide quality patient care and technical skilled care in patients’ homes. Prominent agencies include LHC Group (Caretenders Home Health), Professional Case Management, American-Mercy Home Care, Interim HealthCare, and BrightStar Care of Cincinnati.
  • Private Practices, Physician Offices, and Outpatient Clinics:LPNs support physicians and registered nurses in providing clinical care, administering medications, and assisting with procedures in settings like TriHealth’s physician offices and facilities under The HealthCare Connection Inc.
  • Correctional Centers:Hamilton County, Ohio, employs LPNs for roles such as Nurse – LPN at facilities like the River City Correctional Center.
  • Managed Care Organizations:Organizations such as Molina Healthcare hire LPNs for Field Care Manager roles, which often involve working with members with disabilities or chronic conditions.

In addition to these primary employers, smaller facilities and networks also contribute significantly to LPN employment in Cincinnati. Staffing agencies like IntelyCare, Arcadia Home Care and Staffing, and Veracity Resourcing & Services actively place LPNs in various facilities and home health settings, offering flexible schedules and competitive pay.

List of LPN Programs in Cincinnati, OH

In Cincinnati, OH, there are many paths to becoming a licensed practical nurse. We have gathered a list of LPN programs in the area to help with the search. The table below includes each school's city and state, program highlights, and a link to the program page for more details. Take a look and see which program fits your goals. You can also use the highlights to narrow down your choices quickly.

Cincinnati, OH

ATA College-Cincinnati

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 15-Month program
    • 26% licensure pass rate
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • No waiting list
    • Laptops available to students
    • Online portion of classes
    • NCLEX preparation assessments included
    • Career placement assistance

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing Certificate

    Campus Based - Website

    • Ohio Board of Nursing accredited
    • 3-Semester program
    • 39 total credit hours
    • 2.5 GPA minimum
    • $53,472 median earnings
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Clinical practice in basic nursing skills
    • Covers maternal, adult, child, geriatric care
*NCES IPEDS database, 2025 release. Available at: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/