Wyoming's four board-approved LPN programs enroll small cohorts each year, which means a missed application deadline or an overlooked prerequisite can delay your start by a full semester. With so few schools training practical nurses, program selection carries real weight: tuition at Laramie County Community College starts around $4,600 for residents, while Northwest College and Sheridan College each run under $5,000, making cost differences modest but timelines and clinical placement logistics more variable.
Because Wyoming belongs to the Nurse Licensure Compact, graduates who earn a multistate license here can work across more than 40 states without applying for endorsement, a significant advantage for anyone considering travel assignments or relocation, and a useful credential if you later apply to one of the best LPN to RN programs in Wyoming.
Top LPN Programs in Wyoming for 2027
Wyoming trains practical nurses at a small group of community colleges, and the three programs below pair low net prices with a clear route to NCLEX-PN eligibility and Wyoming licensure. Each one sits close to the hospitals, clinics, and long-term care employers that hire locally, and each lets you keep building toward an RN credential without leaving the state. Graduation figures cited for these schools describe the whole institution, not the nursing program alone.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt
- Net price after grant aid
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Program completion and licensing outcomes
- State cost-of-living adjustments
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
- Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living index by state — bea.gov
Northwest College
Northwest College in Powell folds the LPN credential into the first two semesters of its Associate Degree Nursing track, so students who clear those terms with a C or better can sit for the NCLEX-PN and request an LPN certificate from the registrar before continuing toward the RN. Approved by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing, the 45-credit sequence starts twice a year and includes a separate LPN IV certification course built to state board content requirements. Reported first-time NCLEX pass rates sat near 89.8% in 2026. It suits students who want a license early without abandoning the degree path.
- 45 total credit hours
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- Completes the first two semesters of the ADN program
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam
- Integrated into the Associate Degree Nursing pathway
- Personal advising from the nursing director
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- On-campus format in Powell, Wyoming
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), C.S.C., Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Sheridan College-Northern Wyoming Community College District
Sheridan College runs both a practical nursing certificate and an associate degree in nursing out of the Perkins Health Science Center, giving students one campus to move from LPN to RN. Instruction leans on simulation labs and virtual reality, with clinical rotations at regional facilities and coursework covering medical-surgical, maternal child, and emergency care. The certificate is approved by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing and starts once a year in the fall, with a March 1 application deadline. A partnership with the University of Wyoming supports students who later want to pursue a BSN.
- Blends classroom theory with hands-on clinical training
- Simulation labs and virtual reality at the Perkins Health Science Center
- Clinical rotations at regional healthcare facilities
- Curriculum covers medical-surgical, maternal child, and emergency care
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam
- Fall start with a March 1 application deadline
- Partnership with the University of Wyoming for a BSN pathway
- Financial aid and scholarships available
Certificate in Practical Nursing — On-Campus
Laramie County Community College
Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne offers a three-semester, 48-credit Practical Nursing Certificate of Completion that requires CNA certification for admission and opens with prerequisites in English, algebra, and human anatomy. Coursework moves through health promotion, chronic illness management, and a capstone practical nursing course, with simulation and clinical placements rounding out the hands-on training. The state board approves the program, and the nursing program holds candidate status with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing through spring 2028. Reported first-time NCLEX pass rates were about 91.2% in 2026.
- Three-semester, 48-credit campus-based certificate
- CNA certification required for admission
- Prerequisite courses in English, algebra, and human anatomy
- Covers health promotion and chronic illness management
- Includes a capstone practical nursing course
- Hands-on simulation and clinical placements
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN and Wyoming LPN licensure
Practical Nursing Certificate of Completion — On-Campus
Wyoming LPN Program Costs Compared
Tuition at Wyoming's community colleges remains among the most affordable in the region, but the sticker price is only part of the picture. The table below compares published in-state and out-of-state tuition alongside the institution-wide average net price after financial aid. Keep in mind that the net price figure reflects an average across all programs and student profiles at each college, not a guaranteed per-student cost for the LPN track specifically. Additional expenses for books, uniforms, clinical supplies, liability insurance, background checks, and certification exam fees can add roughly $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the school. All three colleges report that more than 70 percent of their students receive Pell Grants, which signals strong financial aid availability for qualifying applicants. Data is drawn from federal sources published by the U.S. Department of Education.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price (Institution-Wide) | Pell Grant Recipient Share | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laramie County Community College | Cheyenne | $4,613 | $10,913 | $7,287 | 71% | 48 |
| Northwest College | Powell | $4,962 | $11,262 | $7,463 | 74% | 45 |
| Sheridan College | Sheridan | $4,830 | $11,130 | $9,346 | 71% | N/A |
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Quickest Paths to an LPN Certificate in Wyoming
How fast can you actually finish an LPN program in Wyoming? For most applicants, the honest answer is about a year of full-time study, a common timeline among the Fastest LPN/LVN Programs, though the exact timeline depends on which of the state's four Board-approved programs you enter and how your prerequisites line up.
Laramie County Community College's Practical Nursing option runs three semesters, which is the clearest published timeline among Wyoming's programs. Casper College, Northwest College, and Sheridan College also operate LPN tracks approved by the Wyoming Board of Nursing, but their published materials don't break out exact credit totals or semester counts the way LCCC's do, so treat any month-by-month estimate for those three as a starting point to confirm directly with the school rather than a fixed number.
Full-Time vs. Flexible Scheduling
Wyoming's LPN programs lean heavily full-time. LCCC's Wyoming Innovation Partnership version of its practical nursing curriculum is the standout exception: it's built as a hybrid, largely asynchronous program with online didactic coursework paired with required in-person residencies each semester. That structure can help students who need to keep working or living outside Cheyenne, though it doesn't necessarily shorten total program length.
Clinical Hours Still Set the Pace
Regardless of delivery format, clinical rotations remain the real bottleneck. Every LPN track requires substantial supervised clinical time in hospitals, long-term care, or clinic settings, and how quickly a program can place students often depends on its partnerships with local facilities. Cohort size and clinical site availability, not classroom scheduling, are usually what determine whether you finish on time.
How to Pick the Right Wyoming LPN Program
With a handful of accredited LPN programs spread across the state, choosing the right fit takes a structured approach. Walk through these five decision points before you commit, and you will save time, money, and stress on the way to your license.
What You Need to Get Into a Wyoming LPN Program
Wyoming LPN programs share a common admissions framework, but each school weighs prerequisites, exams, and deadlines a little differently. Here is what to expect across the state's programs for the 2026–2027 admission cycle.
- High School Diploma or GEDEvery Wyoming Board-approved LPN program requires proof of a high school diploma or equivalent before you can apply.
- Prerequisite CourseworkCore prerequisites typically include Anatomy & Physiology I and II, English Composition, and a college-level math course. Laramie County Community College also requires General Psychology, Medical Microbiology, and a student-success course (STRT 1000). Some schools add nutrition, communications, or a government/history elective, so check each program's checklist early.
- Minimum GPAMost Wyoming LPN programs set a cumulative GPA floor between 2.5 and 3.0 calculated on required nursing-curriculum courses. Both Laramie County Community College and Central Wyoming College require at least a 2.5.
- Entrance ExamAn admissions exam is standard. Central Wyoming College and Western Wyoming Community College use the ATI TEAS, with TEAS scores factored into a competitive ranking along with prerequisite GPA. Laramie County Community College administers its own PN Readiness Test instead.
- Application Window and Cohort StartCentral Wyoming College accepts online applications from November 1 through March 1 for fall-start cohorts, with ATI TEAS scores due to the Nursing Director before that March 1 deadline. Complete 2026–2027 deadlines for Laramie County Community College and Western Wyoming Community College have not yet been published; contact those schools directly for the most current dates.
- Background Check and Drug ScreeningCriminal background checks and drug screens are required across Wyoming programs because clinical-site partners mandate them. A disqualifying result can prevent progression, so address any concerns before you apply.
- Immunizations and CertificationsPrograms require up-to-date immunizations, commonly TB testing, MMR, Tdap, Hepatitis B, Varicella, and seasonal influenza. Current BLS/CPR certification is also standard. Central Wyoming College lists these explicitly in its admissions packet; other schools publish similar lists in their nursing handbooks.
- Board-Approved Program RequirementThe Wyoming State Board of Nursing will only grant LPN licensure to graduates of a Board-approved practical nursing program, so confirm your chosen school's approval status before enrolling.
Wyoming LPN Licensure: NCLEX-PN, Board Application, and the Nurse Licensure Compact
Earning your LPN license in Wyoming means completing three concrete steps: graduating from an approved program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and submitting a board application with a clean background check. Here is how each piece works in 2026.
Board Application Through the WSBN Nurse Portal
The Wyoming State Board of Nursing handles all LPN applications through its online Nurse Portal. After finishing a WSBN-approved practical nursing program, you create a portal account, complete the application form, and pay the associated fees. You will also need to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check; fingerprint cards are mailed to 130 Hobbs Ave, Suite B, Cheyenne, WY. If everything except your background results is in order, you may request a provisional license on the application so you can begin working as a licensed practical nurse while results are processed.
NCLEX-PN Registration and Retakes
Registration for the NCLEX-PN is a separate process handled through Pearson VUE. Once the board confirms your eligibility, Pearson VUE issues an Authorization to Test, and you schedule your exam at an available testing center. The NCLEX-PN uses a pass/fail model, so there is no numerical score to hit. If you do not pass on your first attempt, national retake policies apply, and you can retest after a waiting period set by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Multistate License Under the Nurse Licensure Compact
Wyoming is a Nurse Licensure Compact member in 2026. If Wyoming is your primary state of residence, your LPN license automatically functions as a multistate license, letting you practice in any other compact state without obtaining a separate license. This is especially useful for nurses near the Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Idaho, or Utah borders, and it simplifies LPN/LVN Reciprocity.
Renewal and Continuing Competency
Wyoming LPN licenses renew every two years, with a deadline of December 31 in even-numbered years. To renew, you must meet one of three continuing competency options: 400 hours of active nursing practice, 200 hours of practice plus 15 hours of continuing education, or 30 hours of continuing education alone. Continuing competency requirements are waived for your first renewal period after initial licensure by exam, giving new graduates time to settle into practice.
What LPNs Earn Across Wyoming
Wyoming LPNs earn a solid wage relative to the state's cost of living, though pay here runs slightly below the national LPN median. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 480 LPNs were employed across the state in the most recent detailed survey. The table below compares LPN wages with related nursing roles in Wyoming to help you gauge earning potential at different career stages.
| Occupation | Total Employment in Wyoming | 25th Percentile Annual Wage | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse | 480 | $58,810 | $63,460 | $70,840 | $63,300 |
| Registered Nurse | 5,330 | $77,890 | $83,760 | $101,100 | $88,600 |
| Nursing Instructor (Postsecondary) | 150 | $55,030 | $72,590 | $78,220 | $71,940 |
LPN Pay by Metro Area in Wyoming
Wyoming's LPN workforce is spread across a small number of metro and nonmetropolitan areas, which makes granular metro-level wage breakdowns limited. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a statewide median salary of $63,460 for LPNs, with wages ranging from roughly $58,810 at the 25th percentile to $70,840 at the 75th percentile. Cheyenne and Casper account for the largest shares of LPN employment in the state, though detailed metro-specific medians are not published separately. Keep in mind that Wyoming's overall cost of living tends to run below the national average, which stretches these earnings further than comparable figures in higher-cost states.
LPN vs. CNA, Medical Assistant, and Other Entry-Level Healthcare Careers in Wyoming
Choosing the right entry point into healthcare depends on how much time and money you can invest upfront and where you want to be in five years. In Wyoming, the Licensed Practical Nurse role stands out for its higher median salary, broader clinical scope, and direct bridge to a Registered Nurse degree. Many students stack credentials along a CNA to LPN to RN career ladder, building experience and income at each stage.
| Role | Typical Training Time | Approximate Training Cost | Wyoming Median Salary | Scope of Practice Highlights | Bridge to RN? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | 4 to 12 weeks | $500 to $2,000 | About $39,160 per year | Basic patient care: bathing, feeding, grooming, recording vital signs under nursing staff direction | Yes, CNA experience can count toward LPN and some RN program prerequisites |
| Medical Assistant | 9 to 12 months | $5,000 to $15,000 | About $12.77 per hour (roughly $26,600 annually) | Administrative and limited clinical duties: scheduling, billing, vital signs, drawing blood, administering medications under physician direction | Not a direct bridge; separate nursing program required |
| Phlebotomist | 8 to 24 weeks | $1,000 to $5,000 | About $17.30 per hour (roughly $36,000 annually) | Drawing blood for tests, transfusions, and research; preparing specimens and maintaining collection equipment | Not a direct bridge; separate nursing program required |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | About 12 months | $8,000 to $20,000 at Wyoming community colleges | About $52,620 per year | Administering medications, monitoring patients, collecting samples, contributing to care plans under RN or physician supervision; broader clinical decision making than CNAs or MAs | Yes, LPN to RN bridge programs are widely available and shorten the path to a BSN or ADN |
