Four NCLEX-approved practical nursing certificates are offered within 40 miles of downtown Seattle, housed at three public community and technical colleges and one private career college that keep resident tuition between roughly $7,000 and $14,000. Programs at Edmonds College, Pima Medical Institute-Seattle, Clover Park Technical College, and Bates Technical College run 12 to 15 months and produce graduates who enter a regional market where LPNs earn well above the national median.
Most Seattle-area students commute 30 to 60 minutes to reach campus clinical rotations, so location and schedule flexibility matter almost as much as cost. The sections that follow break down program tuition, NCLEX pass rates, the state licensure process, and current salary data for the Puget Sound region.
Why Seattle Is a Smart Place to Start an LPN Career
Demand for licensed practical nurses in Washington State is shifting well beyond hospital floors, with long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and outpatient clinics now driving the bulk of new openings. That pattern is especially visible across the Seattle metro, where hundreds of LPN positions are actively posted on major job boards at any given time.1
A Deep Employer Bench
Seattle-area LPNs can tap into a wide range of healthcare systems that are actively recruiting. MultiCare Health System and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health both maintain steady LPN hiring across clinic and specialty settings. The VA Puget Sound Health Care System and Kaiser Permanente post practical nurse roles in the Tacoma corridor, while Valley Medical Center fills positions in Renton. Overlake Medical Center and Clinics in Bellevue recently listed clinic LPN roles at hourly rates ranging from roughly $32 to $49,2 signaling strong compensation even outside downtown Seattle.
Beyond the big systems, skilled nursing facilities like Life Care Centers of America and behavioral health employers such as Community House Mental Health Agency (which has advertised LPN pay up to $54 per hour3) round out the hiring landscape.
Wages That Offset the Cost of Living
Seattle's cost of living is undeniably high, but LPN wages here rank among the top metros nationally. Posted pay ranges in specialty clinics and behavioral health settings regularly clear $30 an hour, making an LPN/LVN degree a smart strategic move for candidates who need to start earning sooner rather than later.
Growth Across the Region
Washington's LPN workforce is projected to grow more than 10 percent between 2022 and 2032, with an estimated 3,249 annual openings statewide by that point. The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro accounts for the largest share of those jobs, according to the Washington Center for Nursing.4 Employment opportunities extend well beyond city limits into Bellevue, Tacoma, Everett, Renton, and Puyallup, giving graduates of Washington LPN programs geographic flexibility without sacrificing competitive pay.
Can You Complete an LPN Program Online in Washington?
A fully online LPN program does not exist in Washington, and you should treat any school advertising one with extreme skepticism. The Washington Board of Nursing requires supervised clinical hours in approved patient-care settings, and those hours cannot be completed remotely. This is not a Seattle-specific problem: fully online LPN programs are rare nationwide because every state mandates hands-on patient-care experience.
What Online LPN Usually Means
When a program calls itself an online or hybrid LPN program, the lecture and theory portion may be delivered through a learning management system, but labs and clinical rotations still happen in person. Edmonds College is one example of a Washington program that uses a hybrid schedule: some coursework moves online, while skills labs and clinicals are condensed into on-campus blocks. This reduces commuting time for working adults without removing the hands-on training that makes you employable.
Confirm Clinical Sites Before You Enroll
Before choosing a hybrid program, ask where clinicals are held. Some schools place students in hospitals and long-term care facilities across the Puget Sound region, but others may send you as far as Tacoma, Everett, or Puyallup. If you live or work in Seattle, a program with distant clinical sites can erase the convenience of online lectures.
Out-of-State Online Programs Are a Red Flag
Because Washington must approve every clinical site, an online LPN program based in another state often cannot arrange approved rotations near Seattle. You may finish the theory portion only to discover you have no way to complete clinical hours in Washington. Stick with Washington Board of Nursing-approved programs that list their clinical partners up front.
Seattle-Area LPN Program Costs Compared
Tuition can vary dramatically depending on whether you attend a public technical college or a private institution. The table below compares published tuition at four NLN CNEA-accredited LPN programs within roughly 40 miles of Seattle, using 2024 institutional data reported to the U.S. Department of Education. Keep in mind that net price (what you actually pay after financial aid) often differs significantly from the sticker price, especially at public colleges where Pell Grant recipients make up a large share of the student body.
| School | City | Sector | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Estimated Net Price | Program Length | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma | Public | $6,027 | $12,165 | $6,292 | 3 quarters (full time) | On campus |
| Clover Park Technical College | Lakewood | Public | $6,634 | $6,634 | $9,864 | 3 quarters (full time) | On campus |
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood | Public | $4,810 | $10,875 | $11,010 | 21 months (part time available) | Hybrid |
| Pima Medical Institute, Seattle | Seattle | Private | N/A | N/A | $31,016 | 12 months | On campus |
LPN Salaries and Job Outlook in the Seattle Metro
LPNs in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area earn significantly more than the national average, reflecting both the region's higher cost of living and strong demand for bedside nursing care. Based on the most recent federal wage data, the local annual mean for LPNs sits at roughly $87,360, well above the national median of about $55,000. Skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers typically offer the highest LPN wages locally, followed by outpatient clinics and physician offices, while home health agencies tend to pay somewhat less. Washington's Employment Security Department projects continued steady demand for LPNs statewide, driven by an aging population and expanded post-acute care services across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
| Wage Percentile | Seattle Metro (Annual) | National (Annual, 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,380 | $40,490 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,560 | N/A |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $85,690 | N/A |
| 75th Percentile | $96,620 | N/A |
| 90th Percentile | $103,310 | $72,650 |
What It Takes to Earn Your LPN License in Washington State
From your first day of class to holding your license, the path to becoming an LPN in Washington typically spans 13 to 18 months. Here is the step-by-step process overseen by the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Admission Requirements and Application Tips for Seattle-Area LPN Programs
Washington community college LPN programs are selective, and most use a points-based or holistic scoring system rather than simple first-come, first-served enrollment. Understanding how admissions work gives you a real edge when you apply.
- High school diploma or GEDEvery accredited LPN program in the Seattle metro requires proof of a high school diploma or equivalent before you can begin prerequisite coursework or apply to the nursing cohort.
- Prerequisite courseworkExpect to complete college-level anatomy and physiology (usually a two-quarter sequence), English composition, introductory psychology, statistics or college-level math, and often microbiology, nutrition, or introductory chemistry. Total prerequisite loads range from about 35 credits at Edmonds College to a longer sequence at Clover Park Technical College, which also lists developmental psychology and a college success course. Minimum per-course grades range from 2.0 to 2.5, depending on the school.
- Cumulative prerequisite GPAGPA minimums vary: Edmonds College requires a 2.5 across its seven prerequisite courses, Green River College sets a 3.0 cumulative prerequisite GPA with individual courses at 2.5 or above, and Clover Park Technical College lists a 2.7 cumulative threshold. Competitive applicants at Green River typically hold a 3.2 or higher. These figures apply to prerequisite GPA specifically, not necessarily your overall college GPA.
- Entrance exam scoresMost programs require a standardized nursing entrance exam. Edmonds College requires the TEAS, with a recommended score around the 58th percentile, and also accepts the NLN-NEX, PAX, or HESI as substitutes. Clover Park requires the NLN PAX with a minimum combined score of 102. Green River College does not list a required entrance exam at this time, so confirm directly with their admissions office.
- CPR/BLS certification and background checkCurrent American Heart Association BLS certification is universally required before clinical rotations begin. Background checks are standard at Green River and Clover Park, and you should expect the same at other area programs. Some schools also require immunization records, liability insurance, and drug screening.
- Clinical or patient-care experienceSome programs award application points for prior healthcare experience. Edmonds College requires six months of recent direct patient care. Clover Park awards up to ten admission points for 1,000 hours of documented customer-service or patient-care work. Even when not mandatory, logged CNA or medical assistant hours can strengthen your application under a points-based rubric.
- How the points-based system worksRather than rolling admissions, most Washington community college LPN programs score applicants on a combination of prerequisite GPA, entrance exam results, relevant work experience, and sometimes residency or completion of prerequisites at that institution. Points are totaled and seats are offered to the highest scorers each cycle. Completing your prerequisites at the same college where you plan to apply can sometimes earn additional points or priority consideration.
- Application windows and wait timesTiming varies by school. Green River College accepts LPN applications from April 15 through June 1 for its selective cycle. Clover Park Technical College operates without a formal waitlist, accepting applications until its 40-seat cohort fills. Edmonds College has not published specific 2025–2026 deadlines, so check directly. In general, plan to apply in fall or early spring for a start the following quarter. At popular programs across the region, the gap between application and enrollment can run six to eighteen months, so start prerequisites early and apply as soon as you are eligible.
Top-Ranked LPN Schools Near Seattle
Below are the top LPN programs serving Seattle students, ranked by net price, graduation rates, and graduate outcomes. Each entry covers how the school is set up for practical nursing, what its graduates can expect, and how far students travel to reach campus or clinical sites.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt
- Institutional graduation rates
- Net price after aid
- Program format and completion
- Proximity to Seattle employers
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College runs its Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate out of Lakewood, roughly a 45-minute run south of Seattle on I-5. The full-time program spans three quarters with simulation lab work and clinical rotations, and it holds NLN CNEA accreditation plus approval from the Washington State Board of Nursing. The school's overall graduation rate is 42.7%, and the LPN program admits about 60 students each fall and spring. Program materials report an 86% licensure pass rate and an 86% job placement rate, and a school-wide LPN to RN bridge lets graduates keep advancing without leaving the Puget Sound area.
- NLN CNEA accredited and approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing
- Three quarters of full-time study, about 30 to 35 hours per week
- Fall and spring start dates, with 60 seats admitted per cohort
- Simulation lab training plus hands-on clinical rotations
- 86% licensure pass rate and 86% job placement rate
- Minimum 2.7 GPA plus 1,000 hours of customer service experience
- Application deadline of October 12, 2026, and a $0 application fee
- School-wide LPN to RN bridge keeps graduates in the Puget Sound area
Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate — On-Campus
Pima Medical Institute-Seattle
Pima Medical Institute's Seattle campus sits inside the city, the shortest commute on this list for students living in or near North Seattle. The Practical Nursing Certificate runs 12 months on campus and covers medication administration, IV therapy, vital signs, and electronic health records alongside elder care and maternal child nursing theory. The school's overall graduation rate is 67.5% with a 91% retention rate, and program materials cite median earnings of $62,340 for graduates. Pima also offers an on-campus associate degree in nursing and an online RN to BSN track, so LPNs can ladder up without switching schools.
- NLN CNEA accredited 12-month, on-campus certificate
- Prepares for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam
- IV therapy and medication administration training
- Elder care, maternal child nursing, and med math coursework
- Four clinical foundation courses with hands-on rotations
- Sequenced curriculum: Sequence I courses required before Sequence II
- Dedicated career services team, financial aid and scholarships available
- Stepping stone to the campus ADN and online RN to BSN
Practical Nursing Certificate Program — On-Campus
Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College, about 35 miles south of Seattle in Tacoma, awards either an 80-credit certificate or a 90-credit associate degree in practical nursing. The full-time fall cohort admits 40 students, and students should expect to travel up to 50 miles each way to clinical sites across the Puget Sound region. The school's overall graduation rate is 43.4%, and program materials cite average pay of $30.42 per hour for graduates. Bates participates in statewide transfer frameworks, including Washington 45, giving LPNs a structured route into RN and BSN programs later on.
- NLN CNEA accredited and approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing
- 80-credit certificate or 90-credit associate degree option
- Three full-time quarters, 80 total credit hours
- Fall 2026 cohort of 40 students, graduating summer 2027
- Students may travel up to 50 miles each way to clinical sites
- Minimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA across seven courses
- $50 application fee, plus childcare and transportation assistance
- Washington 45 transfer credits and Practical Nursing to BSN agreements
Practical Nurse, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Edmonds College
Edmonds College in Lynnwood, roughly 25 minutes north of Seattle, is built for people already working in healthcare. Its part-time hybrid Practical Nursing Program runs 21 months across six quarters, with online theory, on-campus labs, and clinical placements that include Virginia Mason sites in Seattle, Bellevue, and Lynnwood. The school's overall graduation rate is 29.0%, and admission requires an entrance exam plus prior direct patient care experience. The college also runs a part-time LPN to RN bridge tied to a statewide transfer agreement, so graduates can keep moving toward a BSN in Washington.
- NLN CNEA accredited with initial accreditation status
- 21-month part-time program across six quarters
- Hybrid delivery: online theory with on-campus labs
- Clinical rotations at Virginia Mason sites in Seattle, Bellevue, and Lynnwood
- Designed for current healthcare workers, such as CNAs
- Entrance exam required: TEAS or HESI
- Minimum 2.5 GPA plus six months of direct patient care experience
- Aligned with the LPN Direct Transfer Agreement to RN or BSN
Practical Nursing Program, Certificate or Diploma — Hybrid
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Programs in Seattle
Below are answers to the questions prospective students ask most often about LPN training in the Seattle metro. Where possible, figures are drawn from the cost, salary, and program details discussed earlier in this article.
How long does it take to complete an LPN program in the Seattle area?
Most full-time LPN programs near Seattle can be completed in about 12 months. Part-time, evening, or weekend tracks typically run 18 to 24 months. For example, one area program structured around 7 to 8 credits per quarter takes roughly 21 months to finish. Check each school's catalog for the most current schedule options.
How much do LPN programs near Seattle cost after financial aid?
Published Cost of LPN Programs & Schools varies widely by school and residency status. Prerequisite coursework alone at one area college runs roughly $4,600 to $11,900 before aid. Because net price depends on individual Pell Grant eligibility, Washington College Grant awards, and institutional scholarships, there is no single reliable "after aid" figure. Use each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the earning potential for LPNs in Seattle compared to the state average?
According to federal wage data, the Seattle metro median for LPNs is approximately $85,690, while the statewide median sits near $83,150. That puts Seattle LPNs roughly 3 percent above the state figure. Washington itself ranks first nationally for LPN median pay, so both benchmarks are well above the national norm. Keep in mind that Seattle's higher cost of living offsets some of that advantage.
