Pennsylvania's long-term care sector alone employs more LPNs than most states do in total, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics counting over 38,000 practical nurses working across hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. That demand keeps program enrollment strong, but not every certificate prepares graduates equally , a key reason why getting your LPN/LVN degree can be a smart strategic move. This ranking orders schools by first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, with completion and accreditation serving as tie-breakers, because passing the licensure exam on the first attempt is the clearest indicator of whether a program delivers.
The top performers statewide, including the best LPN programs in Pittsburgh, the five lowest-cost options, accelerated and hybrid formats for working adults, a step-by-step licensure timeline, and current salary data by metro area are all covered.
Pennsylvania's Top 13 LPN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
Pennsylvania trains practical nurses in every corner of the state, from career and technology centers in small towns to community colleges serving the biggest metros. The ten programs below are the ones that consistently get graduates through the NCLEX-PN and into paying work, and each card spells out what the training covers, how long it takes, and what it costs.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and completion rates
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Accreditation status
- In-state tuition and net price
- Retention and student-faculty ratio
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering retention rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Schuylkill Technology Center
Schuylkill Technology Center runs its practical nursing program around schedule flexibility, with a day track that finishes in 18 months and an evening and weekend option that takes about two years. Day classes meet three days a week, and clinical rotations begin in long-term care before moving into acute care settings. A Virtual ATI review adds one-on-one NCLEX-PN preparation before students sit for the exam.
- 18-month day track; evening and weekend option takes about two years
- Day classes meet three days a week at the North Campus
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Clinical rotations begin in long-term care, then move into acute settings
- Virtual ATI review adds one-on-one NCLEX-PN preparation
- Financial aid available
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Clearfield County Career and Technology Center
Clearfield County Career and Technology Center is a career and technical school serving Clearfield and the surrounding central Pennsylvania region, and its practical nursing program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Training is delivered on campus, which keeps the credential within reach for students who do not want to relocate or commute to a metro campus. Cost, cohort start dates and clinical placement sites are set by the school and are worth confirming directly.
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center has run its practical nursing program since 1970 and packs more than 800 clinical hours into a 1,500-hour curriculum. Coursework moves through four levels covering fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, mental health, maternity and pediatrics, with rotations at UPMC Altoona and other regional facilities. Full-time and part-time tracks are offered, medical assistant graduates can transfer credit, and total program tuition runs about $24,226.
- Four levels: fundamentals, medical-surgical, pharmacology, mental health, maternity, pediatrics
- More than 800 clinical hours, with rotations at UPMC Altoona
- 1,500 total program hours; full-time and part-time tracks
- Total program tuition about $24,226
- Transfer credit available for medical assistant graduates
- IV therapy certification included, plus CPR certification
- Running since 1970 with two start dates per year
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Venango County Area Vocational Technical School
Venango Technology Center in Oil City offers a 47-week practical nursing program that runs from August to June, with in-person classes four days a week and Tuesdays delivered virtually. Skills practice happens in a simulation laboratory, with clinical placements at local hospitals, nursing homes and community health sites. The program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- 47-week program that runs August through June
- In-person classes four days a week; Tuesdays are virtual
- ACEN accredited and approved by the PA State Board of Nursing
- Simulation laboratory for hands-on skills practice
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Program reports 100% job placement for graduates
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Northern Tier Career Center
Northern Tier Career Center in Towanda runs a campus-based practical nursing program that fits into one calendar year of no more than 225 days across three semesters. The 1,500-hour curriculum covers fundamentals, life sciences, nursing concepts, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology and IV therapy, with clinical rotations at area hospitals, extended care facilities and local health agencies. The program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
- One calendar year, up to 225 days across three semesters
- 1,500 instructional hours including IV therapy skills
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
- Clinical rotations at area hospitals, extended care facilities and health agencies
- Graduates reported an average of $27.42 per hour one year after finishing
- Roughly 81% to 94% of graduates employed as LPNs over the past five years
- Advanced standing articulation agreement for qualified students
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Reading Area Community College
Reading Area Community College offers a one-year, full-time day practical nursing certificate with clinical rotations at local hospitals and nursing homes. Admission is selective, requiring a minimum 2.5 GPA and a TEAS composite of at least 58.7, and the program holds continuing ACEN accreditation. Graduates have an advanced placement pathway into RACC's Associate Degree Nursing program if they want to keep climbing.
- One-year, full-time day certificate program
- Selective admission: minimum 2.5 GPA and TEAS composite of 58.7
- Prerequisite general education courses required before entry
- Clinical rotations at local hospitals and nursing homes
- Advanced placement pathway into RACC's Associate Degree Nursing program
- Continuing ACEN accreditation; most recent review completed in 2022
- Program cites graduate salaries in the $40,000 to $50,000 range
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Franklin County Career and Technology Center
Franklin County Career and Technology Center in Chambersburg delivers its practical nursing program in a single year, about 1,500 hours spread over roughly 189 days, with classes Monday through Thursday. Two cohorts start each year, in March and September, and in-state tuition runs $17,350. The program is ACEN accredited, guarantees clinical placements, and staffs its classrooms with master's-prepared faculty.
- One-year program, about 1,500 hours over roughly 189 days
- Classes Monday through Thursday, generally 6:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
- Two start dates each year, in March and September
- In-state tuition of $17,350
- ACEN accredited, a distinction fewer than 20% of US PN programs share
- Master's-prepared faculty and guaranteed clinical placements
- Military benefits accepted
- Has trained more than 3,000 LPNs
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County has trained practical nurses since 1967 and finishes students in 15 months across 52 weeks and 1,500 hours of instruction. Four levels cover life sciences, nursing skills, medical-surgical nursing and pharmacology, with clinical rotations at hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and a daycare for medically fragile children. The program is ACEN accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, and classes meet Monday through Friday.
- Completes in 15 months: 52 weeks and 1,500 hours
- First-time NCLEX-PN pass rate of 96.61% in 2024-2025, with 59 test takers
- Four levels covering life sciences, nursing skills, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology
- Clinical sites include hospitals, nursing homes, home health and a medically fragile child daycare
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
- Full-time Monday through Friday schedule
- Established in 1967
- Program reports 100% job placement for surveyed graduates
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lansdale School of Business
Lansdale School of Business in North Wales offers a 1,500-clock-hour practical nursing diploma that blends classroom theory, lab work and clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, but the Board has placed it on provisional status following a prior-year pass rate of 77.27%, and a proposed evening and weekend expansion has been tabled until that status ends. Prospective students should ask about current Board standing before enrolling.
- 1,500-clock-hour diploma: 900 hours in year one and 600 in year two
- Combines classroom theory, lab studies and clinical rotations at local facilities
- Approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
- Program is on provisional Board status after a prior-year pass rate of 77.27%
- Career settings include long-term care, birthing centers, surgical centers and adult day care
- VA benefits supported
- Evening and weekend expansion tabled by the Board until provisional status ends
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Fortis Institute-Scranton
Fortis Institute-Scranton delivers its practical nursing program as an Associate in Specialized Technology totaling 1,500 clock hours, 99 quarter credits and 72 instructional weeks. Classes run in the morning or the evening Monday through Thursday, with online coursework during the week and clinical hours that may fall outside normal class times. The program is approved for licensure in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and CNAs or STNAs can transfer prior credit.
- Associate in Specialized Technology: 1,500 clock hours and 99 quarter credits
- 72 instructional weeks from start to finish
- Morning (9:00 to 2:30) or evening (5:30 to 10:30) classes Monday through Thursday
- Courses cover anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and medical-surgical nursing
- Approved for licensure in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey
- CNA and STNA transfer credit available
- Small class sizes with hospital and healthcare facility clinicals
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nursing (LPN or LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
The 5 Lowest-Cost LPN Programs in Pennsylvania
Cost is one of the biggest factors prospective LPN students weigh, and Pennsylvania's community colleges and smaller technical institutes can deliver significant savings. The net prices below are institution-wide averages after financial aid, drawn from federal data; your actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on your individual aid package. Notably, Pell Grant eligibility rates at these schools range from roughly 74% to 87%, meaning a large share of enrolled students qualify for substantial federal grant aid. Beyond Pell Grants, students should explore federal student loans and Pennsylvania workforce development grants, which many career and technical programs in the state accept.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Average Net Price (After Aid) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler County Community College | Butler | $9,000 | $6,233 | On Campus |
| Bucks County Community College | Newtown | $9,966 | $6,389 | On Campus |
| Laurel Technical Institute | Hermitage | $13,431 | $6,778 | On Campus |
| Laurel Business Institute | Uniontown | $13,713 | $7,825 | On Campus |
| Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville | $9,300 | $9,203 | On Campus |
Accelerated, Online, and Flexible LPN Programs in Pennsylvania
Compressed schedule or evening cohort: the two most common ways working adults and career changers fit LPN training into real life, and Pennsylvania has both. Neither shortens the clinical hours the state requires. It just rearranges how you get there.
What Actually Makes a Program "Fast-Track"
A true accelerated LPN track isn't magic, it's math, and the Fastest LPN/LVN Programs rely on that same math. Schools compress the calendar by running longer weekly hours, cutting the gap between terms, and starting cohorts in summer instead of waiting for a fall intake. Bucks County Community College's 12-month program, for example, runs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a single summer start each year, which is what gets students licensed in a year instead of two. Rapha School offers a similar full-time 12-month path, with an 18-month part-time option for students who need to keep working. Lincoln College of Technology's 11-month program is among the shortest timelines documented for the state.
Hybrid, Not Fully Online
No Pennsylvania LPN program is fully online, and none legally can be: the state board requires supervised clinical hours in a real care setting, which means in-person attendance no matter how the lecture portion is delivered. What does exist is hybrid delivery, where theory and didactic coursework move online while labs and clinicals stay on campus or at partner sites.
United Career Institute runs a 12-month practical nursing diploma in this hybrid format. Greene County Career and Technology Center's 12-month certificate is partially online, with certain courses delivered at set times alongside on-site instruction. Fortis Institute's LPN-track associate degree splits roughly half online and half on campus.
Evening and Weekend Alternatives
Northampton Community College's three-semester certificate builds in evening and weekend class options for students who can't commit to daytime hours, a model worth asking about during the LPN/LVN Program Admissions process at other schools even when it isn't advertised outright.
Explore other Pennsylvania related topics
Related Articles
Pennsylvania LPN Licensure: Steps, Costs, and Timeline
From your first day of classes to holding a Pennsylvania LPN license, the entire process typically takes 12 to 18 months. Most approved practical nursing programs run 10 to 14 months, and graduates who move quickly through the post-program steps can be licensed within a few additional weeks. Here is the sequence every Pennsylvania candidate follows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming an LPN in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's LPN landscape can raise plenty of questions, from admission prerequisites to licensure logistics. Below are the answers prospective students ask most often, drawn from Pennsylvania Board of Nursing regulations and program-level requirements across the state.
What are the admission requirements for LPN programs in Pennsylvania?
Most Pennsylvania LPN programs require a high school diploma or GED, a minimum GPA between 2.5 and 3.0, and an acceptable score on the TEAS or TABE entrance exam (typically 50 to 60 percent on the TEAS). You will also need a criminal background check, drug screening, CPR certification, child abuse clearance, and, at many schools, character references.
How much does it cost to complete an LPN program in Pennsylvania?
Tuition varies widely depending on whether you attend a career and technology center, community college, or private institution. Public programs tend to be the most affordable. For specific figures, see the five lowest-cost programs ranked in the cost section. Financial aid, grants, and employer-sponsored tuition programs can reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly.
What is a good NCLEX-PN pass rate to look for when choosing a program?
Look for programs with a first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate at or above 80 percent. Top-performing Pennsylvania programs regularly exceed 90 percent. A consistently high pass rate signals strong curriculum alignment with the exam blueprint, quality clinical instruction, and solid student support. The main ranking lists programs by pass rate, making comparison straightforward.
Which Pennsylvania LPN programs offer LPN-to-RN bridge pathways?
Several community colleges maintain formal LPN-to-RN advanced-placement tracks; before choosing, review Choosing the Right LPN/LVN Bridge Program. Bucks County Community College, the Community College of Allegheny County, and Pennsylvania College of Technology all offer LPN to RN bridge programs in PA leading to an associate degree in nursing. Eligibility typically requires a valid Pennsylvania LPN license, prerequisite coursework, and minimum GPA thresholds that vary by institution.
How long is the NCLEX-PN exam and what score do you need to pass?
The NCLEX-PN is a computerized adaptive test with a maximum of 150 items and a five-hour time limit; NCLEX-PN Practice Test Questions model that adaptive format. There is no traditional "percentage" passing score. Instead, the testing algorithm continuously estimates your ability level; you pass once it determines with 95 percent confidence that your competence is above the established standard.
Is there a temporary practice permit for LPN graduates in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Board of Nursing issues a Graduate Nurse Temporary Practice Permit once it receives your completed application and the $70 permit fee. The permit is valid for up to one year from the date of issuance but expires immediately if you fail the NCLEX-PN. You must work under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse while practicing on a temporary permit.
LPN Pay Across Pennsylvania: Statewide and Metro-Area Wages
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024), Pennsylvania employs roughly 38,260 LPNs, making it one of the largest LPN workforces in the country. The statewide median annual wage for LPNs sits at $63,940, with experienced nurses at the 75th percentile earning approximately $72,810. Metro-area breakdowns for Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, and Lancaster are published in the BLS OEWS metro tables and Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry wage spreadsheets, but specific figures by metro area are not yet confirmed in our current data set. We will update this table as soon as the May 2025 OEWS metro release becomes available. For now, the statewide benchmarks below give you a reliable baseline, along with comparable roles for context.
| Role | Total Employment (PA) | 25th Percentile Annual Wage | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 38,260 | $60,350 | $63,940 | $72,810 | $65,930 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 146,520 | $80,610 | $96,430 | $104,730 | $94,020 |
| Nursing Instructor (Postsecondary) | 4,290 | $60,360 | $78,460 | $99,300 | $80,100 |
LPN vs CNA, Medical Assistant, and Other Entry-Level Healthcare Roles in PA
If you are weighing your options in Pennsylvania's healthcare workforce, the table below puts four common entry-level roles side by side. The LPN sits in a strategic middle tier: it requires more training and investment than a CNA or Medical Assistant certificate, but it rewards you with a notably higher salary, a broader clinical scope, and, critically, a direct bridge pathway into RN and BSN programs that no other role on this list offers.
| Factor | CNA | Medical Assistant | Phlebotomist | LPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Training Length | 4 to 8 weeks | 9 to 12 months | 4 to 8 months | 12 to 18 months |
| Credential Required | State nurse aide certification | CMA, RMA, or similar certification (voluntary but expected) | CPT certification (voluntary but expected) | State LPN license (must pass NCLEX-PN) |
| Typical PA Annual Salary | Roughly $37,000 to $40,000 (BLS, nursing assistants) | Roughly $38,000 to $42,000 (BLS, medical assistants) | Roughly $37,000 to $41,000 (BLS, phlebotomists) | $63,940 median ($60,350 at the 25th percentile, $72,810 at the 75th), per 2025 BLS data |
| Scope of Practice | Basic personal care, vital signs, mobility assistance under RN or LPN supervision | Clinical intake, vital signs, phlebotomy, EKGs, and administrative tasks under physician supervision | Blood draws, specimen processing, and basic lab tasks under physician or lab supervisor oversight | Medication administration, wound care, IV therapy (with additional training), patient assessments, and care plan execution under RN or physician supervision |
| Advancement Pathway | Limited: may ladder into LPN or MA programs, but no direct RN bridge | Limited: can pursue additional specialty certifications, but no standardized RN bridge | Limited: can move into lab tech roles, but no direct nursing pathway | Clear bridge to RN through LPN-to-RN or LPN-to-BSN programs, the most direct clinical ladder in entry-level healthcare |
Every Approved LPN Program in Pennsylvania
The programs below round out our Pennsylvania coverage. They are not ranked here; they are grouped by region so you can start with the option closest to home. Each entry lists the city, the instructional format, and a few details taken from the school's own program materials.
Southeast Pennsylvania
- Practical Nursing Program
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing Program
Lehigh Valley
- Practical Nursing Certificate
Northeast Pennsylvania
- Practical Nursing Program
South Central Pennsylvania
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Practical Nursing
- Licensed Practical Nursing Program
Central Pennsylvania
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing Program
Western Pennsylvania
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing Program
- Practical Nursing
- Practical Nursing (LPN)
