As of 2023, Indiana LPNs in the Indianapolis metro area, home to several Indianapolis LPN programs, earn a median hourly wage of $29.79. LPN to RN Bridge Programs change the math less through base pay alone and more through the patient assignments, IV medication duties, and charge responsibilities that open up once an RN license is active.
Rankings are ordered by first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, using completion rate and accreditation as tie-breakers. The cost gap is immediate: Ivy Tech Community College lists $5,154 in annual in-state tuition, while University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne lists $36,460. That spread pushes working LPNs to separate ADN speed from BSN flexibility before the first semester, not after.
Top Indiana LPN-to-RN/BSN Programs by NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Indiana's LPN-to-RN options range from campus-based associate degrees to fully online BSN completion tracks, and the right fit depends on how far you can travel, how quickly you want to finish, and whether you want a bachelor's degree waiting at the end. The schools below sit in Muncie, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Terre Haute, Vincennes, and Indianapolis, and several are built specifically for nurses who intend to keep working while they study. Each card lists the degree level, the delivery format, and the program features that set it apart.
How we ranked these
- Institutional graduation rates weighted most heavily
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program completion rates
- Accreditation status for tie-breakers
- Long-term earnings given less weight
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Ball State University
Ball State University gives licensed practical nurses two routes toward RN licensure from its Muncie campus: an LPN to BS concentration and a bachelor's-level LPN to BSN track. Both build on existing clinical experience, accept transfer science and general studies credits, and let students complete core coursework on campus or through independent learning. An academic advisor maps an individualized plan of study, and students train in high-fidelity simulation labs with clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics, and long-term care sites across east-central Indiana.
- 4 concentration options
- 94% licensure pass rate
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Transfer science and general studies credits
- Core Curriculum online or by correspondence
- High-fidelity simulation labs
- Clinical sites across east-central Indiana
- 4 concentration options
- 94% licensure pass rate
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN and graduate-level work
- Transfer previously earned science credits
- Core courses by correspondence available
- Individual academic advisor support
- Financial aid and scholarships available
LPN to BS Concentration, Associates — On-Campus
LPN to BSN (LPN Transition) — On-Campus
Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College runs its LPN to ASN Transition program from Indianapolis, built for licensed practical nurses who want an associate degree and RN licensure without starting over. Coursework moves in 8-week terms and covers complex medical-surgical nursing, mental health, childbearing and childrearing family care, and pharmacology alongside hands-on clinicals. Applicants need an active Indiana LPN license and a qualifying ATI TEAS score, and the program is ACEN accredited. Ivy Tech practical nursing graduates from the last two years receive verified credit for one nursing course, shortening the path further.
- ACEN accredited
- ATI TEAS entrance exam required
- Prerequisite courses in English, psychology, anatomy
- 8-week course terms
- Bridge program for LPNs to earn an ASN
- Graduates eligible for NCLEX-RN
- Active unencumbered Indiana LPN license required
- Medical-surgical, mental health, and pharmacology content
Nursing LPN to ASN Transition — On-Campus
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne
The University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne offers a direct-entry LPN to ADN bridge for licensed practical nurses, with ACEN accreditation and a curriculum that pairs nursing theory with practice in a science center built around simulation labs and clinical resource rooms. Students complete rotations through regional health systems that include Franciscan Health and Parkview Health, preparing for the NCLEX-RN and for hospital, clinic, and community health roles. The ADN also positions graduates to continue into a bachelor's degree in nursing if they want to keep advancing.
- ACEN accredited
- Direct-entry LPN to ADN program
- Science center with simulation labs and clinical resource rooms
- Clinical placements with Franciscan Health and Parkview Health
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Option to continue to a BSN after the ADN
Nursing (LPN to ADN) — On-Campus
Indiana State University
Indiana State University's LPN/LVN to BSN track in Terre Haute is fully online for working nurses, with no campus visits required and clinical placements arranged in the student's own community. Credit can be earned through course equivalency exams, and the curriculum covers nursing theory, leadership, research, pharmacology, health assessment, and patient care. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and for beginning leadership roles, and faculty bring expertise in medical-surgical nursing, acute care, emergency nursing, and infection control.
- No on-campus visits required
- Clinicals arranged in the student's community
- Course equivalency exams accepted for credit
- Designed for working LPNs and LVNs
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Prepares for beginning leadership roles
- Admission requires 2.75 cumulative and science GPA
- National criminal background check required
Nursing: LPN/LVN to BSN, Associates — Online
Vincennes University
Vincennes University builds its LPN bridge around a hybrid schedule that keeps working nurses employed: most coursework happens online, with roughly one campus visit per week. The BSN option runs about three years with two start dates each year and is ACEN accredited, while a separate completion concentration adds deeper training in patient assessment, clinical judgment, leadership, community health, and evidence-based care. Graduates are prepared for RN roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and public health settings.
- ACEN accredited
- 3-year program, as little as three years
- Two start dates per year, spring and fall
- One day per week on campus
- Flexible schedule for working students
- Prepares for the Registered Nurse Licensure Examination
- Prepares for leadership roles in schools, clinics, ER
- Careers in case management and recruitment
- Hybrid LPN to BSN degree
- Most coursework completed online
- One campus visit per week
- Growing demand for BSN-prepared nurses
Nursing LPN to BSN Hybrid Degree — Hybrid
Nursing LPN to BSN Completion Concentration, Associates — Hybrid
Chamberlain University-Indiana
Chamberlain University's Indianapolis campus offers an LPN to BSN option for licensed practical and vocational nurses who want a bachelor's degree without repeating material they already know. Students skip proficiency tests and skills validations, earn credit for prior experience, and finish roughly 16 weeks sooner than the standard route. The program blends online coursework with hands-on training in the campus SIMCARE Center and Indiana clinical sites, with small classes averaging about 12 students and a 24-week specialty-focused senior course.
- About three years, 122 total credit hours
- Skip proficiency tests and skills validations
- Earn credit for prior LPN experience
- Finish about 16 weeks sooner than the standard route
- Save up to $7,000 on tuition
- Hybrid: online coursework plus Indianapolis campus labs
- Average class size of 12
- 24-week Practice Ready Specialty Focused course
LPN to BSN Option — Hybrid
Indiana LPN-to-RN Bridge Program Cost Comparison
The table below compares published tuition and estimated net price for Indiana LPN-to-RN and LPN-to-BSN bridge programs. Note that the net price column reflects an institution-wide average after grants and scholarships, not a figure specific to the nursing bridge program itself, so treat it as a ballpark estimate. Public institutions generally cost far less than private schools, though prerequisite courses such as anatomy, microbiology, and general psychology may add one to two semesters of additional tuition that are not captured in the program price alone. Indiana residents should also explore the Frank O'Bannon Grant (with FAFSA filed by April 15) and check with each school about institutional nursing scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement options.
| School | Sector | Degree | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price (Institution-Wide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College | Public | ASN (LPN to RN) | $5,154 | $9,935 | $7,258 |
| Indiana State University | Public | BSN (LPN to BSN) | $10,258 | $22,322 | $10,873 |
| Vincennes University | Public | BSN (LPN to BSN Hybrid) | $7,126 | $16,858 | $11,225 |
| University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne | Private | ADN (LPN to ADN) | $36,460 | $36,460 | $18,196 |
Ivy Tech Community College LPN-to-RN Program: What You Need to Know
Ivy Tech Community College's Nursing LPN to ASN Transition program is a bridge pathway designed specifically for licensed practical nurses who want to complete the LPN Transition to a Registered Nurse, earning their Associate of Science in Nursing and becoming registered nurses.1 As Indiana's largest community college system and one of the Best LPN Programs in Indiana 2026, Ivy Tech offers this transition track at 19 campuses statewide, making it one of the most accessible options for working LPNs across the state.
Campus Availability
The LPN-to-ASN Transition program is available at campuses in Anderson, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, Lawrenceburg, Madison, Marion, Muncie, New Castle, Richmond, Sellersburg, South Bend, Terre Haute, and Valparaiso. Cohort availability can vary by location and semester, so prospective students should check directly with their preferred campus about current openings. The Bloomington campus recently expanded its nursing training space and now offers both day and evening cohorts for the transition program.3
Prerequisite Requirements
Before entering the nursing courses, students must complete several prerequisites with a minimum grade of C:5
- ENGL 111: English Composition
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology
- APHY 101: Anatomy and Physiology
- IVYT 112: Student Success in Health Sciences
Applicants must also pass the ATI TEAS exam at the Proficient, Advanced, or Exemplary level. Specific numeric score requirements and retake policies vary by campus, so check with your local admissions office for details. Active LPN licensure is required for admission.
Application Timeline
Application deadlines differ by campus and cohort. At the Bloomington campus, the May 15 deadline applies for fall starts, with cohorts beginning in late August. For the 2026 academic year, the Bloomington application deadline is May 15, 2026, for an August 2026 start.6 Other campuses set their own timelines, so contact your campus nursing department early to confirm dates. Admission is competitive, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Program Length and Cost
The transition program has a maximum completion window of six semesters.7 Most students complete faster depending on how many prerequisites they have finished beforehand. Tuition for the 2025-2027 academic years is frozen at $178.38 per credit hour for Indiana residents or $2,577.11 per semester for full-time enrollment of 12 or more credits.89 Out-of-state students pay $348.97 per credit hour for on-campus courses, though online courses are charged at the in-state rate.8
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LPN-to-ADN vs LPN-to-BSN: Choosing the Right Indiana Pathway
Indiana LPNs weighing a bridge program face a fundamental fork: earn an ADN quickly and affordably, or invest more time and tuition in a BSN that unlocks broader career options. Both paths lead to the NCLEX-RN, but they differ in cost, timeline, and long-term earning power. Many Indiana community colleges hold articulation agreements with BSN-granting universities, so an ADN does not have to be a dead end. Ivy Tech's ASN, for example, is a Transfer Single Articulation Pathway (TSAP) degree that grants automatic junior standing at Indiana public universities, letting graduates ladder into a BSN with roughly 36 additional upper-division credits.
How Long Are Indiana LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs?
Indiana LPN to RN Bridge Programs vary in length depending on whether the destination is an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. BSN-focused LPN Bridge Programs generally take about two to four years, because they combine upper-division nursing courses with general education requirements. ASN and ADN transition pathways are typically shorter, especially for LPNs who receive credit for prior nursing education. That puts the realistic range from under 12 months to four years, with several Indiana-based options falling between those endpoints.
Ivy Tech Community College’s Nursing LPN to ASN Transition, AS can be completed in fewer than 12 months. The program awards 19 credits toward the 71-credit associate degree and is offered at the Bloomington location. Ivy Tech also launched an evening Transition to ASN cohort in August 2026, which can make the shorter timeline easier to fit around work.
Indiana State University’s LPN/LVN to BSN Track is delivered online from Terre Haute, with a February 1 application deadline for Fall 2025 entry. Galen College of Nursing’s LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge is 18 months and is available across its 17 campuses. Because prior nursing coursework may transfer differently by school, Choosing the Right LPN/LVN Bridge Program means comparing how many credits are applied to the degree and whether the schedule can accommodate your work hours.
Your actual finish date also depends on whether you enroll full time or part time and on any general education courses still needed before the nursing sequence begins.
Admissions Requirements and How to Get Accepted
Indiana LPN-to-RN and LPN-to-BSN bridge programs are competitive, with cohort sizes often limited to 20–40 seats. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a spot, so applying to multiple programs is one of the smartest moves you can make. Below is a consolidated checklist drawn from common Indiana program criteria.
- Active, Unencumbered Indiana LPN LicenseEvery bridge program requires proof of current LPN licensure in good standing. Your license must be unrestricted, no disciplinary actions, pending investigations, or practice limitations.
- Minimum Cumulative GPAGPA thresholds vary by school. Indiana State University's LPN-to-BSN program sets a 2.25 overall minimum, while other programs may require a 2.5 or higher. Admission is competitive above the stated floor, so a stronger GPA improves your chances. Expect prerequisite science courses to be weighted heavily in the review.
- TEAS Exam ScoreMost programs require the ATI TEAS entrance exam. Minimum cutoff scores differ, Ivy Tech, Indiana State, and private institutions each set their own benchmarks. Check each school's current threshold and consider retaking the test if your score is borderline.
- Prerequisite CourseworkCommonly required courses include Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, English Composition, and College Math. Indiana State University's LPN-to-BSN also lists Chemistry and Introduction to Psychology. A grade of C or better is typically the minimum, with ISU requiring at least a 2.50 GPA across its five prerequisite support courses.
- Minimum Clinical Work Experience as an LPNSome programs require documented LPN work hours before you can apply, often 1,000 hours or more of direct patient care. Keep detailed employment records and obtain verification letters from supervisors early in the process.
- Current CPR/BLS CertificationA valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or an equivalent provider is required at admission and must remain current throughout the program.
- Background Check and Drug ScreeningAll Indiana nursing programs mandate a criminal background check and drug screening prior to enrollment. Clearance is also required for clinical placement at partner facilities, so any issues should be addressed well before you apply.
- Apply Broadly and EarlyWith cohort sizes frequently capped between 20 and 40 students, seats fill fast. Submitting applications to several accredited programs, both community college ADN tracks and university BSN pathways, gives you the best chance of starting on schedule. Watch for program-specific deadlines, which are not always aligned across schools.
Online and Hybrid LPN-to-RN Options in Indiana
Online and hybrid LPN-to-RN formats let you complete coursework remotely while still meeting the same in-person clinical and skills requirements as a campus program. Among the ranked Indiana schools, Indiana State University runs a fully online LPN to BSN track, and Vincennes University offers a hybrid LPN program leading to a BSN that requires one day per week on campus. Ivy Tech's LPN to ASN transition and University of Saint Francis's LPN to ADN program remain campus-based, so students who need flexibility should look first at Indiana State or Vincennes.
How Clinical Placements Actually Work
Don't assume "online" means you're on your own. Indiana State arranges clinicals in your home community rather than requiring travel to campus, which is a real advantage for working LPNs. Vincennes builds clinical days directly into its weekly campus schedule. Regardless of format, expect to lock in placement details, immunizations, background checks, and site paperwork well before the term starts, often a full semester ahead, since hospitals and clinics only accept a limited number of student slots per rotation.
What Percentage Is Truly Remote
No LPN-to-RN program in Indiana is 100 percent virtual. Lecture content, care planning, and pharmacology modules move online, but lab skills checkoffs (vital signs, medication administration, sterile technique) and supervised patient-care hours still happen in person. Treat "online" as shorthand for reduced campus time, not zero campus time.
Out-of-State Options and Waitlists
If local seats are full, Indiana LPNs can look at online bridge programs based in other Nurse Licensure Compact states, since Indiana participates in the compact and many of these programs accept out-of-state enrollees with in-state clinical partnerships. This can shorten your wait considerably.
Does Format Affect Hiring
Indiana hospitals and long-term care employers care far more about accreditation than delivery format. A CCNE- or ACEN-accredited online degree carries the same weight on a resume as a campus one. What matters is that the program name, NCLEX pass rate, and status as an accredited LPN and RN program hold up under scrutiny, not whether you sat in a lecture hall.
RN Licensure Requirements in Indiana
A $50 application fee, one Pearson VUE exam registration, and a fingerprint background check (service code RN-24YF1V through IdentoGO) stand between an Indiana LPN-to-RN graduate and an active RN license.
Applying Through the Indiana State Board of Nursing
Once you finish an ADN or one of the LPN to BSN Programs in Indiana, you apply online through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, which oversees the Indiana State Board of Nursing. You'll need to be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, and submit proof of your nursing education. If your school can't verify your coursework directly with the Board, expect to request an official transcript yourself. After the Board confirms eligibility, you register separately with Pearson VUE to schedule the NCLEX-RN. Most graduates who stay on top of paperwork move from program completion to licensed practice within a matter of weeks, though processing times shift with application volume.
Practicing Across State Lines
Indiana recognizes the Nurse Licensure Compact, meaning RNs holding a multistate license from another compact state, with their primary residence there, can practice in Indiana without applying for a separate Indiana license, as long as that home-state license stays in good standing. Nurses relocating to Indiana permanently, or those without a compact multistate license, will still need to go through Indiana's own application or endorsement process.
Renewal and Continuing Education
Indiana RN licenses run on a two-year cycle, expiring October 31 of odd-numbered years, with a $50 renewal fee. Notably, Indiana does not currently require continuing education hours for standard on-time renewal. The exception is lapsed licenses: nurses returning after three to ten years of inactivity may be required to complete six contact hours each in assessment, documentation, pharmacology, and ethics or legal issues before reinstatement, at the Board's discretion.
Endorsement From Another State
RNs licensed elsewhere who want an Indiana-specific license apply by endorsement, submitting verification from every state where they've ever held a license, a background check, and the standard fee. Compact license holders relocating temporarily generally skip this step altogether.
Salary and Career Outlook for Indiana RN Bridge Graduates
Completing an LPN-to-RN bridge program in Indiana delivers a meaningful salary increase. Based on the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, LPN median hourly wages in the Indianapolis metro area sit around $29.79, while Fort Wayne LPNs earn roughly $27.96 per hour. Although statewide RN median wages are not fully published in the latest release, national context and Indiana employment data (nearly 68,850 RNs employed statewide) confirm that the LPN-to-RN transition typically adds $15,000 to $25,000 or more in annual earnings. With many ranked Indiana bridge programs costing between roughly $5,200 and $36,500 in tuition, graduates can often recoup their investment within one to two years of working as an RN.
