CHI Memorial, Erlanger Health System, and Parkridge Medical Center anchor a Chattanooga healthcare market that employs roughly 1,560 licensed practical nurses across the metro. That employer base creates reliable entry points for new grads, but the city's small set of LPN programs means prospective students face real tradeoffs between cost, schedule flexibility, and NCLEX outcomes.
Tuition swings by nearly $20,000 depending on whether you choose a public or private school, and seat availability at the lower-cost option is limited. Local job demand, admissions requirements, cost comparisons, evening and hybrid scheduling, NCLEX pass rates, and bridge pathways to the RN all shape the choice.
Why Chattanooga Is a Strong Market for New LPNs
Demand for LPNs in Chattanooga has held steady even as the broader metro job market tightens, and for students comparing Best LPN Programs in Tennessee 2026, that stability matters more to a new grad than a flashy growth headline.2 Roughly 1,560 LPNs work across the Chattanooga TN-GA metro, and the profession's presence here runs about 19% above the national average relative to overall employment, a sign that local employers rely on LPNs more heavily than many other regions do.1
Who's Hiring
Erlanger Health System and CHI Memorial anchor the hospital side, typically placing LPNs in med-surg units, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices rather than high-acuity ICU roles, which usually stay RN-staffed. Parkridge Medical Center hires similarly across its network of campuses. Siskin Hospital, known for rehabilitation care, leans on LPNs for skilled nursing and post-acute recovery support. Beyond the hospital systems, long-term care operators like Life Care Centers of America and home health and hospice providers such as Encompass Health1 round out the bulk of local demand, and nationally these are exactly the settings, nursing care, home health, and physicians' offices, where LPNs concentrate most heavily.
Scope of Practice Advantages
Tennessee's LPN scope of practice is a practical asset for anyone weighing this credential. LPNs here can pursue IV certification, expanding what they're cleared to do at the bedside, and because medication administration falls squarely within the license, the answer to Can LPNs Administer Medication? is straightforward in Tennessee. That combination lets Chattanooga employers deploy LPNs across a wider range of tasks than in more restrictive states.
A Regional, Not Just Local, Job Market
The labor market doesn't stop at city limits. Cleveland, Tennessee, Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe, and Ringgold, Georgia, and Jasper, Tennessee, all sit within reasonable commuting range and host their own hospitals, clinics, and care facilities hiring LPNs.
Cost of Living Stretches Wages Further
Chattanooga's cost of living runs noticeably lower than Nashville or Knoxville, so an LPN wage here, with a local median near $58,580 a year1, tends to cover more ground than the same paycheck would in either of those larger metros.
Tuition and Total Cost at Chattanooga LPN Schools
The cost of LPN programs in the Chattanooga area swings by nearly $20,000 depending on whether you choose a public program or a private career college, and that gap matters more than almost any other factor when you're comparing most affordable LPN/LVN programs.
Comparing the Three Schools
Chattanooga State Community College publishes a total program tuition of $7,105 for its practical nursing diploma, a relatively affordable route in the region. Dalton State College, about 30 miles south in Georgia, lists in-state tuition near $3,336 for its LPN certificate track. Chattanooga College Medical Dental and Technical Careers, a private institution, runs $23,200 for its full 82-credit diploma. Each school also reports an institution-wide net price, an average of what students actually pay after aid across all programs, not a personalized quote for the nursing track specifically. Treat those figures as a ballpark, not a promise, since a career college's overall net price can run well above or below what a nursing student pays once aid is applied.
What Chattanooga College's Diploma Actually Costs
For students researching the chattanooga college lpn program cost directly, the 2025-2026 breakdown is $20,000 in tuition plus roughly $3,200 for texts, supplies, and uniforms, for a total of $23,200. That supplies figure is billed per enrollment agreement and can shift slightly by cohort. Layer on a $25 registration fee, a possible $25 re-entry fee if you have to pause and restart, and a $65 graduation fee, and the fully loaded cost lands a bit above the headline number.
Financial Aid and Payment Options
Tennessee Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees at eligible public schools for recent high school and GED graduates, while Tennessee Reconnect does the same for adults 23 and older without a prior degree. Both are last-dollar programs, meaning they don't touch books, supplies, or room and board. Public options like Chattanooga State are the more likely fit for these programs; whether a private diploma school qualifies is not something either school documents clearly, so confirm directly before assuming. Pell Grants and federal loans remain the backbone of aid at most schools, and Chattanooga College notes financial aid availability without publishing a fixed payment-plan structure.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Beyond tuition, plan for a background check, a drug screen, malpractice insurance, and eventually an NCLEX-PN exam fee of roughly $200, plus Tennessee's state licensure application fee. None of these show up in the sticker price, but skipping them isn't optional.
What It Takes to Get in: Admissions Requirements
Admissions to Chattanooga-area LPN programs are competitive, not open-enrollment. Both major local options use objective scoring systems, so understanding exactly what each school expects lets you front-load the work and submit the strongest application possible.
- High school diploma or GEDEvery program requires proof of secondary education. You must also be fully admitted to the college itself, not just the nursing program, and be in good academic standing before the application deadline.
- Minimum ageChattanooga State requires applicants to be at least 18 years old before summer clinical rotations begin, a rule tied to clinical-site agreements.
- Prerequisite coursesChattanooga State's Practical Nursing certificate requires BIOL 2010 (Anatomy & Physiology I) and BIOL 2020 (Anatomy & Physiology II), plus Microbiology. These science courses must have been completed within five years of your first nursing course unless you receive an approved waiver. You also need proof of college-level reading and math, demonstrated through Accuplacer scores of 250 or above in both areas, a C or better in learning-support courses, or a transcript showing completed college-level English and math.
- Minimum GPAA cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 is required at Chattanooga State. Because admission is competitive, a higher GPA earns more points in the ranking system, so aim well above the floor.
- TEAS entrance examChattanooga State uses the ATI TEAS-VII, not the HESI A2. You need a composite score of at least 50 percent to qualify, but scoring 55 percent or higher in each of the four subject areas earns additional points in the competitive ranking. Scores must be from within the last two years.
- Competitive point systemAdmission is not first-come, first-served. Chattanooga State ranks applicants using an objective point system based on TEAS performance, prerequisite grades, and other documented qualifications. There is no published formal waitlist; if you are not selected, you reapply for a future cohort with an improved application.
- Application deadlinesChattanooga State accepts applications for three entry points: July 1 for fall, December 1 for spring, and April 1 for summer. Incomplete packets are not reviewed, so confirm every document has been received, submissions go through email, before the cutoff.
- Background check and drug screeningAfter acceptance, every student must pass a criminal background check and a 12-panel drug screen, both at the student's own expense. Clinical partners require clear results, and a flagged screen can result in dismissal from the program.
- CPR certification and immunizationsCurrent CPR certification (BLS for Healthcare Providers) is standard across Chattanooga-area programs. Chattanooga State also requires documented immunizations including Hepatitis B, Influenza, and Covid vaccinations before you begin clinical rotations.
- Chattanooga College comparisonChattanooga College, a private institution, also offers an LPN track with its own entrance requirements. Private programs sometimes have more flexible start dates and rolling admissions, but tuition is typically higher. Prospective students should request a current admissions checklist directly from the school and compare total cost, schedule, and pass-rate outcomes before committing.
Evening, Weekend, and Hybrid Schedule Options
Working adults looking for LPN training that fits around a job or family obligations have limited but real options in the Chattanooga area. The two local nursing schools take different approaches to scheduling, and understanding those differences can save months of planning.
Chattanooga State: Daytime Only
Chattanooga State Community College runs its Practical Nursing diploma as a full-time, three-semester program with classes Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.1 There is no evening, weekend, or hybrid track available.1 Students who cannot commit to a weekday schedule will need to look elsewhere.
Chattanooga College: Hybrid Format with a Night Track
Chattanooga College offers Hybrid LPN Programs that blend online coursework with hands-on training.2 The school publishes two completion timelines: 12 months for the day track and 18 months for the night track.3 The extended timeline on the night track reflects fewer weekly contact hours, which is typical for programs designed around working students. The program requires 82 quarter credit hours and 1,366 clock hours total.3 Exact weekly meeting patterns are not published in detail, so prospective students should contact admissions directly for current schedules.4
Regional Alternatives
For students who need a fully hybrid format with documented evening or weekend options, Dalton State College in north Georgia offers a 12-month hybrid LPN certificate.1 However, whether Chattanooga-area students can complete clinical rotations locally has not been confirmed.1 Anyone considering this route should verify clinical site placements before enrolling.
Bottom line: Chattanooga College is currently the only local school offering a night or hybrid LPN track. Students needing maximum flexibility may need to expand their search into surrounding Tennessee or Georgia communities.
Related Articles
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates: How Chattanooga Schools Compare
A program's NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate is one of the clearest signals of instructional quality. The Tennessee Board of Nursing monitors these rates closely and can place programs on conditional approval when they fall below 80% for consecutive years. If a school you are considering dips below that threshold, treat it as a serious red flag: graduates may be entering a program that struggles to prepare them for licensure. The chart below compares the most recent available first-time pass rate for Chattanooga State Community College against statewide and national benchmarks.
LPN Pay and Job Outlook in the Chattanooga Metro
LPN wages in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area are notably competitive when measured against both state and national benchmarks. According to the most recent Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 1,560 LPNs work across the metro, and the local median salary outpaces the national median of approximately $55,860. Tennessee's statewide median for LPNs sits near $49,000, which means Chattanooga-area employers pay roughly $9,500 more at the midpoint, a gap driven largely by demand from the region's hospital systems and skilled nursing facilities.
| Wage Percentile | Chattanooga Metro (Annual) | Tennessee Statewide (Annual, approx.) | National (Annual, approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | Data not published for this metro | $36,400 | $37,150 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,960 | $41,700 | $44,900 |
| Median (50th) | $58,580 | $49,000 | $55,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $63,230 | $55,600 | $62,500 |
| 90th Percentile | Data not published for this metro | $63,200 | $69,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $56,700 | $49,800 | $56,490 |
| Total Employment in Area | 1,560 | N/A | N/A |
Advancing From LPN to RN in Chattanooga
Starting fresh as an RN student versus entering through an LPN Bridge Program creates dramatically different timelines and costs. For working LPNs in Chattanooga, the bridge route typically shaves a full year off the path to an associate degree in nursing, translating to faster earnings growth and lower total tuition.
Chattanooga State's LPN-to-RN Transition
Chattanooga State Community College offers an RN A.A.S. Transition program specifically designed for licensed practical nurses pursuing LPN to RN in Tennessee. After completing a summer transition course, LPNs receive credit for the first year of the nursing curriculum and enter directly into second-year coursework. The result: three semesters to complete what would otherwise take four or more semesters for traditional students.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Active LPN license: Must hold current Tennessee licensure
- Work experience: Minimum 400 hours of clinical employment within the past two years
- Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Psychology, Lifespan Development, English Composition, and Statistics
- GPA: Minimum 2.0 overall, with some cohorts requiring 2.5 in program courses
- Entrance exam: ATI TEAS score required for competitive admission
- Application deadline: January 15 for summer entry
The program operates from the main campus and the Kimball site, with cohorts limited to approximately 24 seats.
Regional Options Worth Considering
Chattahoochee Technical College in northwest Georgia offers an LPN-to-ASN Bridge at its Paulding Campus, accessible to Chattanooga residents willing to commute. The program requires an active LPN license and ATI TEAS scores, with applications typically due in early September for spring entry.
The Financial Case for Advancement
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs earn roughly $20,000 to $25,000 more annually than LPNs in the Chattanooga metro, a gap consistent with the broader LPN to RN Salary Comparison & Job Outlook. Over a 20-year career, even accounting for tuition and lost wages during the bridge program, the return on that additional year of education compounds substantially.
Chattanooga LPN Programs Ranked by Outcomes and Value
Below are the top LPN programs serving Chattanooga students, ranked by median graduate debt, net price, and institution-wide completion rates. Each entry opens with the details that shape your daily schedule and commute, then moves to what the numbers say about cost and outcomes. Net price figures are school-wide averages after grant and scholarship aid, and graduation rates describe the whole institution rather than the nursing program alone.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Net price after aid
- Program format and completion length
- Internal program database
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Independent editorial research
Chattanooga State Community College
Chattanooga State Community College is the region's public two-year option, and its practical nursing diploma runs through the Tennessee College of Applied Technology on the same campus. The program is a full-time, three-semester cohort capped at 24 students, with three start dates a year and day classes that run Monday through Friday. Students pay about $5,283 on average after aid, and the college's institution-wide graduation rate sits near 26 percent. A LPN to RN transition pathway on campus means graduates can keep building credentials without leaving Chattanooga.
- Three-semester, full-time diploma cohort limited to 24 students
- $7,105 total program tuition
- Day classes Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.
- Three start dates per year: spring, summer and fall
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN
- Credit for life experience available; entrance exam (ACT) required
- LPN to RN transition program available for graduates
- Program reports 95% job placement and $41,920 median earnings
Practical Nursing (LPN Diploma) — On-Campus
Dalton State College
Dalton State College sits just across the Georgia line, within easy commuting distance of downtown Chattanooga, and Tennessee residents are explicitly eligible to enroll. Its LPN certificate is a 12-month hybrid that mixes online coursework with clinical rotations, which may fall on weekends or require travel. The college's average net price after aid is about $5,012, and its institution-wide graduation rate is roughly 25 percent. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA, and students must earn a C or better in every nursing, science, and math course to stay in the nursing sequence.
- 12-month hybrid certificate combining online coursework with clinicals
- Two start dates per year: spring and summer
- Approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing; meets licensure requirements in Georgia and Tennessee
- Open to Tennessee residents commuting from the Chattanooga area
- Clinical rotations may require travel or weekend hours
- Minimum 2.5 GPA to enter the LPN program
- Must earn a C or better in all nursing, science and math courses
- Background check, drug screen and Tdap documentation required before clinicals
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate — Hybrid
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers
Chattanooga College Medical, Dental and Technical Careers is a private institution in Chattanooga whose practical nursing diploma is built around speed and schedule flexibility. Students can finish in 12 months on a day schedule or 18 months attending nights, with clinical rotations placed in local hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community health settings. The average net price after aid runs about $33,625, and the college's institution-wide graduation rate is roughly 12 percent. Simulation labs and faculty with bedside experience are the program's stated emphasis.
- Diploma completes in 12 months with day classes or 18 months at night
- 82 total credit hours
- Hybrid format blends classroom instruction with clinical rotations
- Clinical placements in Chattanooga hospitals, long-term care and community sites
- Training in state-of-the-art simulation labs
- Two letters of recommendation and an entrance exam required
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN
- Financial aid available for qualifying students
Practical Nursing (LPN Diploma) — On-Campus
Picking the Right LPN Program for Your Situation
Cost and convenience pull in opposite directions when choosing an LPN program, and the right balance depends on your work schedule, family obligations, and how quickly you need to start earning.
Verify Accreditation First
Before committing tuition dollars, confirm the program's status with the Tennessee Board of Nursing. State-approved programs allow you to sit for the NCLEX-PN and obtain licensure, but ACEN accreditation offers an additional layer of quality assurance and can matter if you later pursue LPN to ADN Programs or LPN to BSN Programs. Enrolling in an unaccredited program can block your path to licensure entirely, wasting both time and money.
Weigh the Numbers That Matter
Look beyond sticker price to total cost after financial aid, and compare that figure against each program's NCLEX pass rate. A cheaper program with a 70% pass rate may cost more in the long run if you need to retake the exam or spend extra months preparing. Ask admissions offices for their most recent pass rate data, then cross-reference with state board reports.
Evaluate Clinical Quality
Clinical rotations shape how prepared you feel on day one of your first job. Ask where students complete their hours. Programs with placements at Erlanger, CHI Memorial, or established skilled nursing facilities signal strong community partnerships. If possible, visit a clinical site or speak with current students about their experiences before enrolling.
Match the Schedule to Your Life
Working adults should map out commute times, childcare logistics, and employer flexibility before signing up. Evening and hybrid options exist in Chattanooga, but a program that looks manageable on paper can become unsustainable if clinical hours conflict with your work shifts or school pickup times. Confirm exact class and clinical schedules with admissions, not just general descriptions.
Chattanooga-area LPNs earn a competitive wage that edges above the Tennessee statewide median by roughly $4,000, reflecting strong local demand from the region's expanding healthcare employers.
