Compare costs, program length, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for every Aurora LPN program in one place.
LPNs in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro earned a median $58,260 in 2023, reflecting ongoing demand for skilled nursing staff in the region’s hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and extended-care facilities.
Aurora sits at the eastern edge of that healthcare job market, putting nursing students (and the Colorado nursing schools that train them) close to clinical placements and employers from central Denver to the I-225 corridor.
Accredited LPN programs here vary sharply in tuition, NCLEX-PN pass rates, and completion times, factors that shape both licensure odds and starting salaries.
Prospective students weigh program cost against NCLEX pass rates and employer hiring patterns, since graduates of high-performing programs often secure positions before licensure.
Colorado projects LPN openings to grow faster than the state average through the next decade, making program choice a career-determining step.
The schools listed on this page were identified using a search radius of 75 miles from Aurora, Colorado. Rankings consider net price, graduation rates, program format, and where available, earnings outcomes. While institutional graduation rates are school-wide and not specific to the nursing program, they provide context for overall student success.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arapahoe Community College | Littleton, CO | $12,000/yr | Denver metro commuters wanting RN ladder | |
Arapahoe Community College in Littleton provides a Practical Nursing Certificate designed as an alternative pathway within its RN program. With a net price of $11,571 and a school-wide graduation rate of 29%, the certificate can be completed after acceptance to the associate degree nursing track. Its south Denver metro location makes it one of the most accessible options for Aurora students, with clinical rotations in local hospitals and long-term care facilities. Median earnings for all ACC graduates are $48,341 ten years after entry, though program-specific earnings data are not yet available.
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| #2 | Front Range Community College | Westminster, CO | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | North metro commuters seeking hands-on labs | |
Front Range Community College offers a Practical Nursing Certificate at its Larimer Campus in Westminster, just north of Denver. The three-semester program has a strong track record of high NCLEX-PN pass rates and on-time completion. With an institutional graduation rate of 35.5% and a net price of $13,031, its location along the US-36 corridor makes it a practical choice for Aurora students willing to commute. Graduates from FRCC earn a median of $45,910 ten years after starting, though program-level earnings are not reported.
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| #3 | Trinidad State College | Trinidad, CO | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Flexible schedule seekers open to relocation | |
Trinidad State College's Practical Nurse Certificate prepares students for LPN licensure through a one-year program at its Trinidad and Alamosa campuses. With a net price of $10,772 and a school-wide graduation rate of 54.5%, the college stands out for its flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend classes. Graduates have median earnings of $36,475 a decade after enrollment, and the program is stackable toward an associate degree in nursing. While the campuses are over 150 miles from Aurora, the option to complete a summer fast-track and the availability of nursing-specific scholarships may appeal to students willing to relocate.
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| #4 | Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | ~$15,000/yr (est.) | ||
Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction offers a Practical Nursing Technical Certificate with a high NCLEX pass rate and strong job placement. The program runs from August to May, requiring college-level reading and writing skills, with a March 1 application deadline. Despite its Western Slope location, far from Aurora, the net price of $15,103 and median graduate earnings of $45,823 may attract students considering relocation. The school-wide graduation rate is 40.6%.
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| #5 | Lamar Community College | Lamar, CO | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Lamar Community College's Practical Nursing Option is a state board-approved program in southeast Colorado. With a net price of $9,161 and a school-wide graduation rate of 54.7%, it offers an affordable entry into nursing. Median graduate earnings are $38,719, and the curriculum includes hands-on clinical experiences in rural healthcare settings. While the college serves a primarily rural area, its competitive admission process and low cost may interest Aurora students seeking value.
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| #6 | Otero College | La Junta, CO | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Otero College in La Junta provides a Practical Nursing LPN certificate that can be completed in two semesters and stacked into advanced programs. The net price is $11,103, and the school has a graduation rate of 38.1%. Median earnings for Otero graduates are $39,018, though program-specific outcomes are not available. Clinical placements occur in Arkansas Valley healthcare facilities. While not within daily commuting distance for most Aurora residents, the certificate's stackable design and low cost may appeal to those willing to relocate to rural Colorado.
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| #7 | Pueblo Community College | Pueblo, CO | ~$12,000/yr (est.) | ||
Pueblo Community College offers an LPN certificate only at its Mancos campus in southwest Colorado, not in Pueblo. The program includes 53 credits with simulation labs and clinical rotations across diverse settings. With a net price of $12,045 and a school-wide graduation rate of 30.7%, it also enforces a THC drug screening requirement despite Colorado's legalization. Median graduate earnings are $37,434. For Aurora students, the Mancos location is distant, but the program's comprehensive curriculum and ACEN accreditation are notable.
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How do you separate strong LPN programs in Aurora from ones that might not deliver the results you need? We built this list around four data points that directly affect your career: licensure exam success, affordability, graduate earnings, and completion rates.
We start by screening all accredited practical nursing programs within 75 miles of Aurora. Both campus-based and hybrid formats (with in-person clinicals) are included, because fully online LPN training isn't possible given the required hands-on hours.
Unlike lists that rank schools without explaining why one gets the top spot, we share the criteria openly. You can weigh the factors that matter most to you, whether that’s a sky-high pass rate, a lower price tag, or strong early-career earnings. Our goal is to give you the facts, not just a number.
Tuition at private and technical schools in the Aurora area is typically not published upfront and must be confirmed directly with each program. The table below compiles publicly reported details so you can compare program length and format side by side.
| School | Program | Length | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concorde Career College (Aurora) | Practical Nursing (PN) diploma | 10-13 months | Evening and weekend classes available |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Practical Nursing | 12 months (full-time), 18 months (part-time) | Day (Mon-Thu 8am-4pm) or Evening |
| Pickens Technical College | Practical Nursing (LPN) | 12 months | Not specified; contact program director |
| Pima Medical Institute (Aurora) | Licensed Practical Nursing | 12 months | Not published; contact admissions |
| Community College of Denver | Practical Nursing Certificate | 3 semesters (full-time), 5 semesters (part-time) | Full-time day or part-time evening/weekend, hybrid |
Application procedures for LPN programs around Aurora fall into two camps: schools that require a specific entrance exam like the TEAS, and those that use the HESI or no published exam. On top of that, one program mandates a current CNA license, while others accept a broader range of healthcare experience or none at all. Knowing which path a school follows saves you from last-minute scrambles and ensures you meet every threshold before the deadline.
Emily Griffith Technical College requires applicants to take the ATI TEAS exam. Results help the admissions committee assess readiness for the nursing curriculum. Concorde Career College Aurora, Pickens Technical College, and Pima Medical Institute Denver do not publish a specific entrance exam on their websites for the 2025–2026 cycle. In many practical nursing programs, the HESI A2 serves a similar purpose, so a candidate applying to multiple schools should confirm which test, if any, each campus demands.
Course prerequisites differ markedly. Emily Griffith expects completion of HPR 1040 Comprehensive Medical Terminology (within the past two years) and BIO 1006 Basic Anatomy and Physiology (within seven years). Applicants must also hold an active Colorado CNA license or have finished a medical assisting program. Other Aurora-area schools typically list fewer instructional prerequisites but still require a high school diploma or GED. Concorde, for instance, emphasizes foundational readiness but does not impose extensive college coursework prior to enrollment.
Admissions timing varies by institution. Emily Griffith uses a cohort-based model with fixed cutoffs and start dates; missing the deadline means waiting for the next cycle. Career-oriented campuses like Concorde and Pima often operate on rolling admissions with multiple start windows throughout the year, allowing more flexibility. Prospective students should contact each school directly to learn the latest deadlines, as dates shift from one cohort to the next.
Regardless of the school, every LPN applicant in Aurora should prepare a standard set of documents and clearances: official high school transcripts or GED scores, a completed application form, proof of immunizations (including hepatitis B and Tdap), a negative TB test, current CPR certification from an approved provider (usually the American Heart Association), and a background check. Many programs also require a drug screening. Gathering these items early helps you meet enrollment deadlines without delay.
What do LPNs earn in Aurora, and what does the local job market look like?
According to 2023 BLS data, LPNs in the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood metropolitan area earned a median annual wage of $58,260, roughly $28.00 per hour. The middle 80% of earners fell between $47,640 and $73,560, so experienced nurses and those in specialized settings often reach well above the median.
That median substantially exceeds the national LPN median (which hovered near $55,000 in recent years) and reflects the metro’s higher cost of living and strong healthcare demand. For reference, the statewide median hourly wage for LPNs in Colorado stood at $29.36 in 2023, though the metro-area figure is best compared on an annual basis. The takeaway: practicing in Aurora pays a noticeable premium over most other markets.
Nationally, the BLS projects just 3% employment growth for LPNs from 2024 to 2034, slower than the average for all occupations. However, Colorado’s rapidly expanding healthcare sector, driven by population growth and an aging resident base, suggests stronger local demand. With over 9,300 LPNs already employed across the metro, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies remain the primary employers. Major systems such as UCHealth, HealthONE, and Centura Health regularly recruit from Aurora’s programs, and graduates who earn their Colorado license typically find opportunities quickly.
LPN-to-RN bridge pathways in the Denver metro have expanded to include both ADN and direct BSN options, reflecting the growing need for nurses with varied educational backgrounds. Aurora-area licensed practical nurses have several accredited routes to become registered nurses without starting over.
Two community colleges offer LPN-to-ADN bridges that award an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. Arapahoe Community College’s LPN to ADN Nursing AAS requires 75.5 credits and admits a small cohort of 12 students each cycle, delivered on campus.1 Front Range Community College’s Nursing Advanced Placement , Bridge Program LPN to ADN (AAS in Nursing) is a 54.5-credit pathway, also campus-based.2 Galen College of Nursing’s Aurora campus runs an LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge that can be completed in 15 to 18 months of full-time study.4
The Community College of Denver hosts an LPN‑BSN Bridge Program that leads directly to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.3 This on-campus offering lets LPNs earn a baccalaureate degree without first completing an ADN, shortening the total time to a BSN.
While Galen’s 15- to 18-month timeframe is the most explicit,4 ADN bridge lengths generally align with completing nursing coursework and clinicals over three to four semesters after prerequisites. Part-time options may be available at some schools, but structured cohort sequences are the norm; prospective students should confirm pacing directly with each program. For a broader search across Colorado, including programs outside the immediate metro, the LPN programs in Colorado directory can help identify additional bridge opportunities.
Here are quick answers to the questions prospective LPN students ask most often about Aurora, Colorado programs. We've gathered the essential details in one place, with links to deeper information throughout this page.
