Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and program length at Birmingham-area practical nursing schools.
Alabama employs more than 11,000 licensed practical nurses, and the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area holds one of the highest concentrations of these jobs in the state. UAB Hospital and several regional health systems drive steady demand, making LPN roles a reliable entry point into healthcare.
Within a 75-mile radius of downtown Birmingham, seven accredited practical nursing programs, all at community or technical colleges, enroll students year-round. While every program covers the same state-mandated clinical competencies, tuition, program length, and NCLEX-PN pass rates differ.
For LPN programs in Alabama, a program’s first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate often predicts how quickly a graduate moves into the workforce, and the gap between the strongest and weakest performers can stretch licensure timelines by months.
We evaluated LPN programs within a 75-mile radius of Birmingham, Alabama, focusing on affordability, accreditation, graduation rates, and graduate earnings data. The following schools stood out for their strong track records and student outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | George C Wallace State Community College-Selma | Selma, AL | $5,000 – $9,000/yr | Hands-on clinical training seekers | |
Wallace Community College Selma offers a Practical Nursing certificate that combines classroom, lab, and clinical training at local facilities. Students complete four nursing courses alongside prerequisites in English, math, and anatomy, then sit for the NCLEX-PN. The program is ACEN-accredited and approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing, with a focus on safe patient care and entry-level employment.
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| #2 | Calhoun Community College | Tanner, AL | $5,000 – $9,000/yr | Students needing multi-campus access | |
Calhoun Community College's Practical Nursing Program Certificate spans three semesters and 45 credit hours, with locations in Decatur and Huntsville. The ACEN-accredited program features small class sizes, selective admission, and mandatory clinical rotations. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN and roles in hospitals, long-term care, and clinics. Entrance exam scores (ACT or HESI) and a 2.0 GPA minimum are required.
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| #3 | Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | Students seeking a bridge to RN | |
Bevill State Community College, with a campus in Sumiton near Birmingham, offers a Practical Nursing certificate through a concept-based curriculum adopted in 2016. The three-semester program requires a 2.5 GPA in prerequisites and a minimum ACT score of 18. Clinical rotations and strong faculty support prepare students for the NCLEX-PN and roles in diverse healthcare settings. The certificate also stacks directly into the college's ADN program.
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| #4 | Chattahoochee Valley Community College | Phenix City, AL | $4,000/yr | ||
Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City offers a unique stackable Practical Nursing program. Students earn a CNA credential after the first semester, a Medication Aide certification after the second, and the PN certificate after the third, becoming eligible for the NCLEX-PN. The three-semester program starts annually in January, with applications due by September 30. Financial aid is available, and the net price is among the lowest in the state.
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| #5 | Northeast Alabama Community College | Rainsville, AL | $5,000 – $9,000/yr | ||
Northeast Alabama Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is ACEN-accredited and approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical training and NCLEX-PN preparation, supported by dedicated faculty and modern facilities. With a high graduation rate (56%) and low net price ($2,756), NACC provides an affordable path to LPN licensure. The campus is located in Rainsville, serving northeast Alabama.
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| #6 | Wallace Community College-Dothan | Dothan, AL | $5,000 – $9,000/yr | ||
Wallace Community College-Dothan's Practical Nursing program spans three terms and is offered at both the Dothan and Eufaula campuses. The ACEN-accredited certificate prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN and roles in patient care. Competitive admission, biannual start dates (fall and spring), and a strong emphasis on essential nursing skills define the program. The institution's net price is only $1,170, making it extremely affordable.
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| #7 | Gadsden State Community College | Gadsden, AL | $4,000/yr | ||
Gadsden State Community College offers a three-semester Practical Nursing program with a concept-based curriculum, simulation center, and clinical sites within a 65-70 mile radius. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN, and the credential stacks into the Mobility Nursing Program for those pursuing an ADN. As a historically Black college, Gadsden State emphasizes diversity and inclusive education. Competitive admission requires a 75% minimum in nursing courses.
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Choosing an LPN program in Birmingham often comes down to a tradeoff: you want a program that is affordable and flexible, but you also need one with a strong track record of preparing students for the NCLEX-PN and early career success. Our ranking of Birmingham LPN programs balances these priorities by examining multiple data points that reflect both value and quality.
We focused on four key areas that directly affect your experience and outcomes: - Affordability: We looked at the average net price (total cost after grants and scholarships) for in-district or in-state students at the undergraduate level, since most LPN programs are certificate or diploma tracks. This shows what you might actually pay. - Graduation rates: While IPEDS reports graduation rates for the entire institution, not specifically for the nursing program, higher overall completion rates can signal strong student support services that benefit all students. - Program format: Availability of online, hybrid, or evening/weekend options can be critical if you need to work while studying. Schools offering flexible timetables scored higher. - Earnings outcomes: We used College Scorecard data on median earnings after leaving the school, which gives a sense of the economic payoff.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are a direct measure of program quality, but they come from the Alabama Board of Nursing, not federal data sources. We incorporate first-time pass rates from the most recent year available when evaluating programs, because this tells you how well the curriculum prepares students for licensure.
What are the NCLEX-PN pass rates for practical nursing programs in Birmingham, and how do they stack up against Alabama's state average?
According to the Alabama Board of Nursing's approved annual programs report1, several local programs reported strong outcomes for the 2023 exam cycle. These figures reflect the most recent year for which comprehensive pass-rate data has been published at the school level.
Not all programs are listed here; data is drawn from publicly available board reports, and schools with fewer than ten first-time test-takers in a given year may not have separate pass rates published. Students should verify current NCLEX-PN performance directly with each school, as annual figures can shift.
For context, Alabama nursing schools produced 532 first-time NCLEX-PN test-takers in 2023, with 453 passes, yielding a statewide pass rate of 85.2%.2 Every Birmingham-area program mentioned above exceeded that average, often by a wide margin. While a single year's numbers do not capture long-term trends, they provide a snapshot of how each program's recent graduates performed relative to peers across the state.
Pass rates are a practical indicator of how well a program prepares students for licensure. Because passing the NCLEX-PN is required to become a licensed practical nurse in Alabama, consistently high pass rates suggest that a school's curriculum, clinical training, and test-preparation resources align with national exam standards. When comparing programs, prospective students often look at multi-year averages if available, but the 2023 data offers a reliable starting point for evaluating Birmingham-area LPN options.
LPN program admission in Birmingham is built around a common set of requirements that most schools enforce: a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum GPA, a qualifying entrance exam score, and a cleared background check with up-to-date immunizations. The specifics differ between community colleges and private institutions, so treat this as a starting checklist rather than a universal policy.
Every program asks for proof of readiness through standardized testing. Herzing University – Birmingham looks for a TEAS composite score of at least 48, while Bevill State Community College uses the ACT with a composite cutoff of 18. Both accept a high school diploma or GED as the base credential. Minimum GPA thresholds also apply; Herzing maintains a 2.00 floor, and similar programs expect at least a “C” average in any completed college coursework.
Clinical rotations require a clean criminal background check and a negative drug screen. Schools order these after conditional admission, and results must be clear of disqualifying offenses. Immunization records are equally firm: you need proof of MMR, varicella, tetanus, hepatitis B series (or a signed waiver), and a recent TB test. A physical exam form signed by a healthcare provider is often part of the packet.
Deadlines vary by school type. Community colleges like Bevill State operate on fixed annual cycles – its most recent window ran from early March to mid-May for a fall start. Private programs often admit students multiple times a year; Herzing’s next LPN cohort begins September 8, 2026, with applications accepted on a rolling basis until slots fill. Always confirm current dates on the program’s website, as they can shift slightly year to year.
Public community college programs tend to follow more rigid prerequisite sequences and demand that general education credits be completed before or alongside nursing courses. Private institutions frequently embed those requirements into the curriculum, shortening the path from application to enrollment. Both models lead to the same NCLEX-PN eligibility, but the upfront prerequisites and flexibility differ noticeably.
Prior healthcare experience is not a standard requirement for Birmingham LPN programs. A few schools may view a CNA license or patient-care hours as a competitive edge, but none lock out applicants who lack it. If you are starting from scratch, you can enter a program directly after meeting the academic and testing benchmarks described above.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse in Birmingham typically takes about 12 months of full-time study, though the exact timeline depends on program structure and individual pace. Most area schools offer a streamlined three-semester certificate or diploma that blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical rotations.
Paying for practical nursing school means balancing the immediate expense against the steady paycheck that follows licensing. The total cost of an LPN program in the Birmingham area typically falls between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on whether you attend a public community college or a private school. Tuition is only part of the picture: factor in uniforms, textbooks, immunizations, and the NCLEX-PN exam fee.
Public LPN programs at institutions like Jefferson State Community College and Lawson State Community College charge in-state tuition set by the Alabama Community College System. Rates adjust each academic year, so check the system’s website directly for the most current figures. Some colleges also offer in-district discounts or payment plans that spread the cost across semesters.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) can cover tuition, books, and even gas cards for eligible career-changers and displaced workers. Birmingham-area residents should contact the local WIOA office or the Alabama Department of Labor to confirm current eligibility. Because healthcare is a high-demand field, practical nursing often qualifies as an approved training program.
Beyond federal Pell Grants and student loans, many Birmingham LPN schools administer their own workforce development grants. Visit the financial aid page for each program you are considering; Jefferson State and Lawson State both post LPN scholarships and grants and application deadlines. Employer tuition reimbursement may also be available if you already work in a healthcare setting.
The Alabama Board of Nursing and the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES) occasionally list scholarship opportunities for practical nursing students. These awards are often smaller but can close gaps left by other aid. Bookmark the association websites and review eligibility requirements early in your application cycle.
Balancing a full-time LPN role with school is the central challenge for many Birmingham nurses considering the leap to RN. The good news is that several area colleges offer bridge programs designed specifically for working LPNs, blending flexible scheduling with accelerated tracks that recognize your existing experience.
Earning an RN credential significantly expands your scope of practice and earning potential. While exact salary bumps vary by employer and specialty, RNs consistently earn more than LPNs and qualify for a wider range of roles in hospitals and specialty clinics. Each program listed above requires a valid Alabama LPN license and may have prerequisite courses, so contact the school directly for current admission details and to confirm whether they have articulation agreements with regional four-year nursing programs if a BSN is your eventual goal.
Prospective LPN students in Birmingham often have questions about program availability, costs, and career outcomes. Below we answer common queries to help you navigate your options.
