2024 - Best LPN Programs in South Carolina

Last Updated/Verified: Nov 7, 2023

South Carolina strives to offer the highest quality healthcare while focusing on educational development and continued personal growth of healthcare staff.  With practical nursing programs available in the state, students can be on their way to a nursing career in as little as one year. Licensed practical nurse (LPN) jobs are on the rise and slated to increase by 9% by 2029, per the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. LPNs in South Carolina earn approximately $24.55 per hour, which equates to an average annual salary of $51,060. This is roughly $4,800 per year less than the national average.

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Are you looking to become a licensed practical nurse in South Carolina? The school you choose is important when it comes to getting your license. Approved programs in South Carolina are offered at community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools - we list 16 schools across the state. After careful review of NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years, we have ranked the top 5 programs. For more information on our LPN program rankings, see our Methodology page.

To see all the top ranked LPN programs in South Carolina click here.

Details on South Carolina LPN Schools & Classes

With around 15 schools in the state offering practical nursing programs, prospective students in South Carolina have plenty of educational options. The community colleges and trade schools that offer practical nursing programs typically design them to be completed in around one year of full-time study. Those who choose to attend part-time will take longer to finish the program. In some cases, students may be able to choose whether they attend daytime or evening courses. Throughout the course of the program, students will take a mix of basic nursing courses, labs, and even participate in hands-on clinical experiences. Common course titles include:

  • Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical-Surgical Nursing
  • Medical Calculations
  • Maternal, Infant, and Child Nursing
  • Anatomy & Physiology

Accreditation

Students are strongly advised to choose practical nursing programs that are accredited by national organizations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accredited programs are held to high academic standards, and are continually re-evaluated to ensure that they are up to par. It’s also of great importance to make sure that any potential program is approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements will vary from school to school, but most consist of some version the following:

  • High school graduate or possess a GED
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Official transcripts from all high schools/colleges attended
  • Completion of prerequisite courses
  • Satisfactory score on TEAS exam

Tuition and Costs

Costs and expenses are some of the most important considerations in deciding whether to attend a practical nursing program. While expenses will vary depending on location, type of school, and many other factors, students can expect to pay for tuition, fees, and supplies. For those worried about being able to afford these costs, most schools offer financial aid options, and scholarship opportunities exist as well. As an example on costs, the LPN program at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College costs approximately $3,040 per semester for tuition, plus applicable fees.

For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our South Carolina LPN to RN/BSN programs page.

South Carolina LPN Licensing Requirements

South Carolina requires the intensive study via state-approve nursing course and examination. The applicant must pass the NCLEX-PN to be considered for licensure. To apply for licensure, the applicant must submit an application, criminal background check, and fingerprinting card to the board, as well as the following:

  • Recent headshot (passport-style) photo that is signed and dated.
  • Copy of birth certificate of valid passport.
  • Copy of social security card (or equivalent).
  • Official transcript with completion date of all coursework.

South Carolina LPN licenses expire April 30th every even year and require 30+ contact hours of continued education.

NCLEX Exam Information

Students are required to pass the NCLEX-PN examination once they have completed their practical nursing educational program. This exam tests many aspects of the LPN curriculum and is needed in order to gain licensure. Our comprehensive guide on the examination can be found here. Additionally, this NCLEX-PN practice test can be utilized in order to study for this important examination.

LPN Reciprocity and NLC

As one of the states included in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), South Carolina allows LPNs from other NLC states to work in its hospitals, clinics, etc., without additional licensing. For nurses outside of the NLC area to work within its borders, they must apply for South Carolina licensing by endorsement and provide the following:

  • Proof of current license and official transcripts from their state-approved nursing program.
  • Submitting a passport-style photo.
  • Submit copies of birth certificate and social security card.
  • Proof of residence.
  • Evidence of continued competence.
  • Criminal background check.

South Carolina will issue licenses to foreign-educated and licensed individuals as long as he or she submits approval from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) after they have evaluated the official transcripts and completed a full course-by-course review. They must also prove their English proficiency by taking the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. If the applicant has yet to take the NCLEX-PN exam, it will need to be taken once the application for licensure is submitted.

2024 SC NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and Statistics

  • Total Number of State Approved LPN Schools: 16
  • Total Number of Test Takers in 2022: 539
  • 2022 Average Statewide South Carolina NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 87.9%

Top Ranked South Carolina LPN Programs

1

Technical College of the Lowcountry

921 Ribaut Rd., Beaufort, SC 29902 - (843) 525-8211 - Visit Homepage

Beaufort's Technical College of the Lowcountry provides students with a practical nursing diploma program to help them reach their career goals. This full-time, daytime program consists of 42 credit hours and is designed to be completed in just three semesters (one year).

Overall Score: 100.00 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
2

Midlands Technical College

316 S Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205 - (803) 738-8324 - Visit Homepage

Midlands Technical College (MTC) is located in Columbia, South Carolina, with additional campuses in Batesburg-Leesville, Winnsboro, Irmo, and Fort Jackson. MTC prepares students to move into satisfying healthcare careers by providing high-quality practical nursing instruction via classroom lectures and clinical experiences.

Overall Score: 99.83 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
3

Trident Technical College

7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston, SC 29406 - (843) 574-6111 - Visit Homepage

Trident Technical College (TTC), located in North Charleston, South Carolina, serves as a catalyst for development by empowering students through education and training. TTC is a public two-year community college that provides a quality, 43-credit hour LPN diploma program for aspiring nurses.

Overall Score: 97.84 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
4

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

3250 St Matthews Rd, Orangeburg, SC 29118 - (803) 536-0311 - Visit Homepage

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College’s practical nursing program trains tomorrow’s LPNs to become leaders in nursing care. This ACEN-accredited program consists of in-person courses and a variety of clinical experiences that span over 3 semesters. They also offer a PN Flex program for those who have experience as a CNA or other healthcare provider.

Overall Score: 94.81 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools
5

Aiken Technical College

2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829 - (803) 593-9231 - Visit Homepage

The practical nursing program at Graniteville’s Aiken Technical College trains students to provide safe and efficient healthcare to patients in an array of settings. Both theory presentation and supervised clinical practice at off-site locations are provided through the curriculum so that students are given a full and robust educational experience.

Overall Score: 93.82 - Compare Program to Nearby Schools

Continued List of All Programs in South Carolina

RankedProgramScore
#6 York Technical College
452 S Anderson Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 327-8000
92.32
#7 Academy for Careers and Technology
2697 East Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571
(843) 423-1941
91.53
#8 ECPI University - Greenville
1001 Keys Drive #100, Greenville, SC 29615
(864) 288-2828
90.74
#9 ECPI University - Columbia
250 Berryhill Rd. #300, Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 610-4111
90.21
#10 Williamsburg Technical College
601 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-4165
89.04
#11 Piedmont Technical College
620 Emerald Road North, Greenwood, SC 29648
(800) 868-5528
87.21
#12 Tri-County Technical College
7900 Highway 76, Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 646-1500
86.89
#13 ECPI University - Charleston
7410 Northside Dr, Charleston, SC 29420
(866) 708-6166
84.61
#14 Northeastern Technical College
1201 Chesterfield Hwy, Cheraw, SC 29520
(843) 921-6900
84.45
#15 Horry Georgetown Technical College
2050 U.S. 501, Conway, SC 29526
(843) 347-3186
80.65
#16 Denmark Technical College
1126 Soloman Blatt Blvd, Denmark, SC 29042
(803) 793-5176
61.19

Are we missing your school's program or need to make changes to the information listed? Please contact us.

Additional SC Nursing Resources

LPN Salary in South Carolina

The table below lists career information organized by the BLS for licensed practical nurses in South Carolina. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

AreaTotal EmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Columbia1,620$25.20$52,410
Greenville, Anderson, Mauldin1,620$24.80$51,580
Charleston, North Charleston1,110$25.74$53,550
Myrtle Beach, Conway, North Myrtle Beach720$22.99$47,820
Florence680$22.78$47,370
Spartanburg520$25.17$52,340
Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Beaufort330$23.60$49,100
Sumter180$23.83$49,570

Table data sourced from 2022 BLS (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm)