Four schools. That's the entire pool of LPN-to-RN bridge options in New Hampshire, spanning three community college campuses and one private university. NHTI-Concord reports a 100 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, while Rivier's hybrid ASN track runs closer to 85 percent, a gap wide enough to matter when you're choosing where to spend three to four semesters of tuition and clinical hours.
With so few programs, there's no room for a wrong turn on accreditation or licensure eligibility. Every seat is competitive, entrance exams vary by school, and start dates are limited to once or twice a year.
That scarcity is precisely why pass rates, completion timelines, and cost deserve closer scrutiny before you apply.
Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: Best LPN to RN/BSN Schools in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's in-state LPN-to-RN options post some of the strongest licensure outcomes in the region, with the state's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate sitting near 96 percent in the most recent reporting year. The three schools below are the community college pathways built specifically for licensed practical nurses, and each one publishes results that working LPNs can weigh against cost, start dates, and delivery format.
How we ranked these
- Institution graduation and completion rates
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program accreditation status
- In-state tuition and cost totals
- Retention and student-faculty ratios
- 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
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
River Valley Community College
River Valley Community College in Claremont runs one of the state's most direct practical-nurse-to-RN ladders, with an ACEN-accredited bridge program that opens each summer and finishes after three consecutive semesters. Applicants must hold an active practical nursing license in New Hampshire or elsewhere in New England, and the college also maintains a separate direct-entry route for its own PN graduates who finished within the past two years. Clinical work stays close to home across the Claremont, Keene, and Lebanon areas, which suits LPNs who intend to keep earning while they study.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing
- 81 total credit hours across summer, fall, and spring semesters
- $13,723 total program tuition with financial aid available
- Blends online coursework with campus labs and clinical rotations
- Open to LPNs with an active New Hampshire or New England license
- Preferred application deadline of November 30; review runs to February 15
- Prerequisite and liberal arts courses must be completed with a C or better
- One cohort per year, starting in the summer semester
LPN to RN Bridge Program, Associates — On-Campus
NHTI-Concord's Community College
NHTI-Concord's Community College offers a four-semester LPN to RN completion option that builds on an existing practical nursing license instead of starting over. The program is ACEN accredited, carries 70 credit hours, and leans on Concord Hospital for clinical placements, keeping training inside a major New Hampshire referral network. Articulation agreements let graduates move into RN to BSN study without losing ground, and the college reports full job placement for program completers.
- ACEN accredited associate degree with 70 total credit hours
- Four-semester completion option for licensed practical nurses
- Apply by January 9, 2026 for a summer start each May
- Clinical placements at Concord Hospital
- Requires an active LPN license and a passing NLN NACE exam score
- Articulation agreements lead to RN to BSN study
- Two letters of recommendation required with the application
- Background check and drug testing required for clinicals
Nursing - LPN to RN Completion Option, Associates — On-Campus
Manchester Community College
Manchester Community College's bridge program is built around the schedule of a working LPN, pairing online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical rotations. Admission is competitive and point-based, so applicants need a current LPN license, specific science prerequisites, and a passing NLN NACE I score before seats are assigned. The college also keeps a readmission pathway open for students who need to step away and return later.
- Hybrid delivery mixes online coursework with campus labs and clinicals
- Cohort begins each May and runs through the following spring
- Competitive point-based admissions with a January 15 deadline
- NLN NACE I entrance exam required
- Prerequisites include A&P II, microbiology, and human growth and development
- Science coursework must fall within the past eight years
- Health screenings, BLS certification, background check, and drug testing
- Readmission option for students who step away and return
LPN to RN/Advanced Nursing Bridge Program, Associates — Hybrid
LPN to ADN vs LPN to BSN: Which Path Is Right for You?
Both bridge tracks lead to RN licensure and NCLEX-RN eligibility, but they differ meaningfully in timeline, cost, and long-term career ceiling. A third hybrid strategy, earning the ADN first and then completing an RN-to-BSN program online while working, lets you start earning an RN salary sooner without giving up the advantages a bachelor's degree brings later. The comparison below lays out the key trade-offs so you can choose the route that fits your goals and budget.
| Factor | LPN to ADN | LPN to BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Credential Earned | Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN or ASN) | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) |
| Approximate Time to Completion | 16 to 18 months through a bridge program | 28 to 32 months through a bridge program |
| Typical Tuition Range | $6,000 to $25,000 at community colleges | $30,000 to $60,000 at state universities |
| NCLEX-RN Eligibility | Yes, upon graduation | Yes, upon graduation |
| Median Annual Earnings (RN) | Approximately $80,000 per year for ADN-prepared RNs, based on 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey data | Approximately $85,000 to $99,000 per year for BSN-prepared RNs, depending on the source and experience level |
| Employer Hiring Preference | Eligible for most RN roles, though some hospital systems increasingly expect a BSN | About 25% of hospitals require a BSN for new hires, and nearly 70% strongly prefer BSN graduates |
| Access to Magnet Hospitals and Leadership Roles | Limited: Magnet-designated facilities typically require or strongly favor a baccalaureate degree | Strong: BSN meets the education standard for Magnet hospitals, charge nurse positions, and clinical leadership tracks |
| Pathway to Graduate Study (MSN, NP) | Requires completing an RN-to-BSN bridge before applying to most graduate nursing programs | Directly eligible for MSN and nurse practitioner programs upon graduation |
| Hybrid Strategy Available | Earn the ADN quickly, begin working as an RN, then enroll in an online RN-to-BSN program while employed | Not applicable: the BSN is earned in one continuous program |
How Long Does LPN to RN Take in New Hampshire?
Most New Hampshire LPNs can complete an associate degree bridge in three to four semesters of full-time study, but the true timeline depends on transfer credit and prerequisites. LPN to BSN programs add more time, typically two to three years after transfer credits are applied.
Published Full-Time Timelines
At River Valley Community College, the LPN to RN Bridge runs three semesters starting in summer and continuing through fall and spring. NHTI in Concord lists its LPN to RN Completion Option as four semesters, with prerequisite coursework counted as one of those terms. Neither school publishes a separate part-time or evening track, so the published schedule assumes full-time enrollment.
Transfer Credits and Advanced Standing
Current licensure alone does not shorten the program. Both schools award advanced standing through the NLN NACE I exam, which validates prior nursing knowledge. NHTI requires a minimum score of 74 and may transfer up to 18 credits for five prerequisite college courses completed with a C or higher. River Valley requires a minimum score of 68 percent and allows transfer of core liberal arts courses if they are less than 10 years old and earned at C or better.
How Prerequisites Change the Timeline
Missing prerequisites are usually the fastest way to add a semester. Anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, and English composition are common LPN classes, and an incomplete prerequisite can delay entry into the nursing sequence. If you have not finished these courses, plan for a summer or fall term of general education before the clinical sequence begins.
Summer Starts and Faster Entry
Both schools use summer-start cohorts, which can move graduation earlier by beginning in May rather than waiting for fall. This does not reduce the number of nursing semesters required, but it can shorten the calendar from application to degree completion. River Valley also offers a direct entry pathway for its own LPN graduates within the past two years, which may remove some bridge repetition and speed progression into the RN program.
Explore other New Hampshire related topics
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Tuition and Cost Comparison for NH LPN to RN Programs
The table below compares published tuition and the average net price after financial aid for each ranked LPN to RN program in New Hampshire. Keep in mind that the net price shown is an institution-wide average reflecting all undergraduate students who receive aid. Individual LPN to RN students may pay more or less depending on their specific aid packages, enrollment intensity, and scholarship eligibility. Similarly, the median graduate debt column reflects borrowing across all programs at each institution, not LPN to RN students specifically. These figures offer useful context but should not be treated as exact predictions of your personal cost.
| School | City | Sector | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price After Aid | Median Graduate Debt (Institution-Wide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Valley Community College | Claremont | Public | $6,940 | $15,190 | $14,804 | $16,226 |
| NHTI, Concord's Community College | Concord | Public | $7,200 | $15,450 | $18,011 | $14,650 |
| Rivier University | Nashua | Private | $39,488 | $39,488 | $28,082 | $26,956 |
What LPN-to-RN Graduates Earn vs What They Owe
Program-level earnings and debt figures for New Hampshire's LPN-to-RN bridge programs are not yet available through federal reporting. Because these bridge tracks are relatively small and completions are folded into broader nursing cohorts, the U.S. Department of Education has not released program-specific post-completion salary or borrowing data for any of the three ranked schools. Keep in mind that any institution-wide earnings figures you may encounter describe graduates across all programs at a given school, not nursing students specifically.
Admission Requirements and Entrance Exams for NH LPN to RN Programs
LPN programs in New Hampshire offer two LPN-to-RN bridge pathways that share a common framework, but the entrance exam each school requires and the minimum score you need differ enough to change your test prep timeline. Understanding how to prepare for your LPN/LVN program entrance exam early keeps you from scrambling as deadlines approach.
Entrance Exams: NACE I, Not TEAS
Both NHTI-Concord's Community College and River Valley Community College (RVCC) require the NLN NACE I: Foundations of Nursing for their LPN-to-RN bridge tracks. This is distinct from the ATI TEAS exam, which each school uses for its general ADN or LPN admissions rather than the bridge pathway.
- NHTI: Minimum NACE I score of 74.
- RVCC Bridge: Minimum NACE I score of 68%, with scores valid for 12 months before the application deadline.
If you have already taken the TEAS for another program, you will still need to sit for the NACE I to apply to either bridge option.
Prerequisite Courses
Expect to complete foundational college-level coursework before starting clinical nursing courses. NHTI lists English Composition (ENGL 101C), General Psychology (PSYC 105C), Developmental Psychology (PSYC 220C), Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 195C), and Anatomy and Physiology II (BIOL 196C). All prerequisite courses require a grade of C or higher. At RVCC, core liberal arts courses also require a C or better and must have been completed within the past 10 years. Microbiology may appear among broader prerequisites depending on the pathway.
Licensure and Professional Requirements
Every applicant must hold an active, unrestricted Practical Nursing license. NHTI specifies a New Hampshire LPN license, while RVCC's Bridge program accepts a current, unencumbered license from New Hampshire or another New England state. RVCC's Direct Entry track is limited to recent RVCC LPN graduates (within two years) who hold a current New Hampshire or Vermont PN license.
Across both schools, standard clinical-readiness requirements apply:
- Current BLS/CPR certification
- Criminal background check
- Up-to-date immunization records, including titers
Application Deadlines
NHTI's published deadline for the LPN-to-RN Completion Option is January 9, 2026. RVCC's Bridge program has a preferred deadline of November 30 and reviews applications through February 15, with admission decisions by March 1. Because both programs admit in annual cohorts, missing the preferred deadline usually means waiting a full year; RVCC may still review applications until February 15 if spaces remain. Confirm exact dates directly with each admissions office well in advance.
Online and Hybrid LPN to RN Options in New Hampshire
No LPN-to-RN program in New Hampshire is fully online; that's a licensure requirement, not a marketing gap. The state's Board of Nursing mandates hands-on clinical hours in approved facilities, so simulation and asynchronous coursework can only ever supplement, never replace, in-person patient care.
Hybrid Formats Among NH Schools
Within that constraint, several NH programs do lean hybrid. NHTI's LPN to RN Completion Option and Manchester Community College's LPN to RN Option both structure lecture and theory content online through Canvas, reserving campus time for skills labs and clinical rotations. Rivier University's LPN to ASN program goes further for working nurses, building evening classes and weekend clinical blocks specifically around a full-time work schedule. River Valley Community College's Bridge Program, by contrast, runs closer to a traditional campus model, so confirm current delivery details directly with the school before applying.
Out-of-State Online Brands: Proceed Carefully
National names like SNHU, Excelsior, and Purdue Global market online nursing pathways, and some NH residents ask whether these can substitute for local LPN to RN bridge programs. The honest answer is that it depends, and it's not something to assume. Any out-of-state prelicensure option still needs New Hampshire-approved clinical placements and Board of Nursing recognition, and availability, cost, and clinical arrangements for NH residents can change year to year. If you're considering one, get written confirmation of NH clinical placement and licensure eligibility before enrolling, not after.
SARA and What It Actually Covers
New Hampshire participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, which lets accredited out-of-state schools legally enroll NH students in online coursework. SARA covers the classroom side of accredited LPN and RN programs. It does not waive New Hampshire's clinical hour or licensure requirements, so reciprocity alone doesn't guarantee a workable path to RN licensure in the state.
New Hampshire RN Licensure and NCLEX-RN Requirements
Once you finish an approved LPN to RN or LPN to BSN program, licensure runs through the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), the state's nursing board.1 The process is straightforward but has firm sequencing.
The Licensure Steps
- Graduate and get verified: Your program submits official verification of completion to OPLC.
- Apply for licensure by examination: Submit your OPLC application along with a notarized criminal history release form and fingerprints for a background check.2
- Register for the NCLEX-RN: Once OPLC clears your application, register with Pearson VUE to schedule your exam.3 A temporary license is valid for 120 days while you await results.
- Receive your RN license: Passing candidates are issued a full license, typically trackable through NURSYS.
Nurses already licensed in another state can apply by endorsement, with credentials verified through NURSYS rather than retaking the exam , the RN counterpart to LPN/LVN Reciprocity.1
Compact Status Matters Here
New Hampshire has been a Nurse Licensure Compact state since 2006 and transitioned to the enhanced compact (eNLC) in January 2018.4 That means NH issues multistate licenses, so an RN licensed here can practice in other compact states without applying for separate licensure, a real advantage if you're eyeing travel nursing or living near the Massachusetts or Vermont border.
Renewal and Continuing Education
NH RN licenses renew every two years for a $116 fee. Renewal requires 30 contact hours of LPN Continuing Education Units5 and 400 hours of active practice6 within the renewal period, documented through CE Broker. There's no mandated topic breakdown, so you have flexibility in choosing coursework relevant to your specialty. Missing the practice-hour threshold can trigger additional requirements, so track your hours as you go rather than scrambling at renewal time.
New Hampshire's participation in the Nurse Licensure Compact means your RN credential opens doors across 41 states without additional applications, turning a single investment into multi-state career flexibility.
