Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for Charlotte-area practical nursing programs
Charlotte’s healthcare sector has added more than 1,000 hospital beds over the past three years, and licensed practical nurses remain essential to day-to-day patient care across the metro. We evaluated seven practical nursing programs within commuting distance of the city, weighing net price, graduation outcomes, and first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates.
Because the licensing exam is the gateway to practice, a program’s ability to prepare students for that test directly affects how quickly graduates can start earning in a market where entry-level LPN wages typically fall near $25 an hour.
Our ranking spotlights seven practical nursing programs in the greater Charlotte region, emphasizing affordability, graduate outcomes, and hands-on clinical training. Several schools sit within commuting distance of Charlotte, making them realistic options for metro-area students, while others offer distinct advantages such as hybrid formats or seamless LPN-to-RN bridges.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stanly Community College | Albemarle, NC | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | Students seeking an in-system LPN-to-RN bridge | |
Stanly Community College in Albemarle offers a 12-month practical nursing diploma with a strong track record of regional employment growth. Its PN pathway includes an LPN-to-ADN bridge for advanced standing, and a dedicated success coach supports each student. The program’s total tuition is under $4,000, and it reports robust local demand for LPNs.
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| #2 | Southeastern Community College | Whiteville, NC | $9,000/yr | Learners wanting a supportive, exam-free admissions path | |
Southeastern Community College in Whiteville provides a practical nursing diploma emphasizing evidence-based clinical practice in a student-friendly environment. The program requires no entrance exam and supports lifelong learning, preparing graduates for entry-level roles under RN supervision across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.
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| #3 | Brunswick Community College | Bolivia, NC | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ACEN accreditation for transfer and job readiness | |
Brunswick Community College in Bolivia delivers an ACEN-accredited practical nursing diploma that blends holistic patient care with quality improvement and informatics. The 43-46 credit program requires a TEAS score of 59 or higher and a 2.5 GPA, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN and careers in diverse healthcare facilities.
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| #4 | Mayland Community College | Spruce Pine, NC | $6,000/yr | ||
Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine runs a competitive, one-year practical nursing program starting each spring. Admission uses a point-based ranking system and requires Nurse Aide I certification. Limited enrollment ensures personalized instruction during three intensive semesters of campus-based study.
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| #5 | Richmond Community College | Hamlet, NC | $2,000 – $7,000/yr | ||
Richmond Community College in Hamlet admits a small fall cohort of 20 students to its practical nursing diploma, combining class, lab, and clinical settings for hands-on learning. The program costs $6,278.55 and requires a 2.5 GPA, Accuplacer placement, and prerequisite coursework, with a strong emphasis on evidence-based holistic care.
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| #6 | Montgomery Community College | Troy, NC | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
Montgomery Community College in Troy offers a fast-track, nine-month practical nursing diploma in a hybrid format, with in-person classes three to four days a week and 480 clinical hours. No entrance exam is required, making it an accessible option for Charlotte-area students seeking a quick entry into the field.
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| #7 | Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | $3,000/yr (net price) | ||
Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson previously offered a practical nursing diploma, but the program is being phased out and is no longer accepting new students after Fall 2025. Only continuing students may complete the teach-out; it is not an option for incoming cohorts planning to enroll in 2026 or later.
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Our ranking methodology uses data points that signal value, persistence, and return on investment, not just prestige or name recognition.
We assign each program a composite score using four weighted factors:
These metrics come directly from public federal data, so every program is evaluated on the same scale.
We intentionally omit NCLEX-PN pass rates from this ranking. Those numbers come from the North Carolina Board of Nursing, not the federal datasets we use for scoring. We handle pass rates in a separate section because they are a critical indicator of program quality that deserves its own focus. Also, note that graduation rates are school-wide figures; they don’t break out performance specifically for the LPN program. Keep that in mind when comparing the best LPN programs.
In-state tuition and net price vary considerably among practical nursing programs in the Charlotte region. Net price reflects the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships; it is an institution-wide figure, not a program-specific quote. Program-level median debt data was not available for these programs.
In 2024, four Charlotte-area LPN programs achieved a perfect 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate.1 These first-time pass rates, reported by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, reflect the percentage of graduates who passed the licensing exam on their first attempt, a direct measure of how well a program prepares students for entry-level nursing practice.
Multiple programs share the highest mark, and all listed schools exceed or closely approach the statewide average.
North Carolina’s 2024 statewide average for LPN programs was 95%, significantly above the national average of 88%.1 Every Charlotte-area program on this list met or beat the state average, and most far surpassed the national figure. That consistency reflects a strong network of nursing schools in North Carolina.nursing schools in North Carolina
A program’s NCLEX-PN pass rate is one of the most reliable indicators of curriculum quality and student support. Consistently high rates, especially 100%, suggest rigorous instruction, effective clinical placements, and dedicated exam preparation. When comparing schools, look at multi-year trends if available, but even a single year of perfect performance signals a program that takes licensure success seriously.
Most LPN certificate programs in Charlotte are designed to be completed in 12 to 15 months. Central Piedmont Community College offers an accelerated three-semester track that finishes in 12 months, with some general education coursework available online. ECPI University structures its practical nursing diploma as a year-round program spanning 15 months. South Piedmont Community College also reports a 12-month length. While most instruction is in-person, some schools provide flexibility: Charlotte Technical College, for example, runs both day and evening cohorts. Part-time and fully online LPN programs are uncommon at the certificate level, as clinical rotations require hands-on attendance.
Admission to Charlotte-area LPN programs is competitive and typically requires: - Entrance exam: Most schools require the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). South Piedmont Community College explicitly lists the TEAS, and other programs often set minimum score thresholds. - Prerequisite coursework: Colleges generally expect completion of Anatomy and Physiology, college-level math, and sometimes English or psychology with a grade of C or higher. - GPA minimums: While cutoffs vary, many practical nursing programs look for a GPA of 2.5 or above. - Additional requirements: Clinical sites mandate a background check, drug screening, and up-to-date immunizations. South Piedmont also requires applicants to hold a Nurse Aide I certification, a unique filter that underscores the selective nature of its cohort.
Charlotte programs typically admit once or twice per year with fixed cohort start dates. For instance, South Piedmont's 2026 application window ran from February 2 to April 2, a narrow window that rewards early preparation. Charlotte Technical College's next cohort begins July 8, 2026. Because seats are limited and demand is high, aspiring LPNs should treat these deadlines as firm and apply early. Many programs fill quickly and maintain waitlists.
Given the competitive landscape, apply to multiple programs to maximize your chances. Align your prerequisite courses with the toughest requirements among your target schools, and retake the TEAS if your initial score falls below the typical threshold. Reaching out to each program’s nursing advisor can clarify unwritten expectations and help you submit a stronger application.
LPNs in the Charlotte area earn wages that sit comfortably above the national median, making the metro a strong market for new graduates of top LPN programs.
According to O*NET data, licensed practical nurses in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia metropolitan area earned a median annual wage of $63,450 in 2024, equivalent to $30.51 per hour.1 This median is about $1,110 higher than the national median of $62,340,2 confirming that Charlotte offers a modest pay premium. The metro wage distribution is wide: the lowest-earning 10% took home roughly $50,970, while the top 10% reached $75,770. The middle half, between the 25th and 75th percentiles, fell between $58,580 and $70,390, meaning many LPNs earn above $28 per hour even early in their careers. Program-level earnings data for Charlotte LPN graduates is not yet available, so these metro-wide figures provide the most reliable benchmark.
Nationally, the BLS projects 3% employment growth for LPNs from 2024 to 2034, resulting in roughly 54,400 job openings each year when including replacements.2 While the growth rate is about average, the high number of openings signals steady demand. In Charlotte, a fast-growing metro with major health systems and an aging population, demand often outpaces the national trend. The expansion of outpatient clinics and long-term care facilities fuels local hiring, making it a reasonable market for newly licensed LPNs.
Most LPN-to-RN bridge programs in the Charlotte area can be finished in 12 months, and South Piedmont Community College welcomed its first cohort of that length in May 2026. Several institutions serve the metro, including Central Piedmont Community College (12-month hybrid), South Piedmont (in-person), Gaston College (AAS pathway), Catawba Valley Community College (32-credit bridge), and Stanly Community College (12-month ADN).
Admission is competitive and typically requires a current LPN license, a minimum GPA (often 2.0), and completion of anatomy, English, psychology, and nursing fundamentals prerequisites. Some, like Catawba Valley, also mandate one year of LPN work experience and an ATI NCLEX-PN Comprehensive Exam. For nurses aiming higher, Queens University of Charlotte offers a bachelor’s LPN-to-BSN. Other North Carolina bridges can be found on the statewide LPN programs directory.
Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about LPN programs in the Charlotte area. The information is based on data and school profiles detailed throughout this article.
