Compare NCLEX pass rates, costs, program lengths, and outcomes for Miami's accredited practical nursing schools.
With more than 70% of Miami residents speaking a non-English language at home, demand is strong for Spanish- and Creole-speaking LPNs. Healthcare employers, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies, routinely seek bilingual candidates, and LPN employment in the metro area has grown steadily.
Seven accredited programs serve the area, with in-state tuition from $2,370 at public colleges to over $48,000 at private schools. After aid, net costs range from under $1,000 to over $25,000. Only one ranked program, FVI School of Nursing and Technology, has a Miami campus; other programs are hours away in Jacksonville, Marianna, or Pensacola. Local students often trade off between a nearby private option and lower-cost public colleges elsewhere in Florida.
Our ranking of Miami-area LPN programs considers institutional data, program features, and regional relevance. While most schools are located across Florida, one stands out for its local Miami presence and clinical partnerships, helping students prepare for the NCLEX-PN and launch nursing careers in South Florida.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology | Miami, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | Miami residents wanting local clinical training | |
FVI School of Nursing and Technology is the only Miami-based school on this list, offering a 14-month Practical Nursing program with extensive hands-on clinical experience in South Florida healthcare facilities. The program boasts experienced faculty, simulation labs, and partnerships with local employers, with a focus on preparing students for the NCLEX-PN. Financial aid and job placement assistance are available. Program-level earnings data is not yet reported for this credential.
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| #2 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | $1,000/yr (net price) | Students prioritizing exam success and job placement | |
Chipola College, located in Marianna, offers a three-semester Practical Nursing program with a strong track record: 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement within 12 months for recent graduates. The 1,350-clock-hour curriculum includes clinical rotations at local hospitals and long-term care facilities. State-funded tuition assistance is available for Florida residents.
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| #3 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | Panhandle residents seeking accelerated training | |
Gulf Coast State College's 45-week Practical Nurse Certificate is designed for quick entry into the field, with small class sizes and a high graduate recommendation rate. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and offers clinical experiences in the Panama City area. Admission is selective, and the college boasts low tuition rates for in-state students.
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| #4 | North Florida College | Madison, FL | $1,000/yr | ||
North Florida College in Madison offers an ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing program that starts each August, with applications accepted from March to June. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on training for patient care in rural settings. The college's low net price makes it an affordable option for Florida residents.
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| #5 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Florida Gateway College's 12-month Practical Nursing certificate program features high NCLEX-PN pass rates above state and national averages. With a total estimated cost around $7,319, the program includes 1,350 clock hours of clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings. Admission requires TABE and TEAS exams.
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| #6 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | $4,000/yr | ||
Pensacola State College's Practical Nursing program is ACEN-accredited and offers a three-term, 1,350-clock-hour curriculum that blends classroom, simulation, and clinical training. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN and can transition into the college's ADN program. Admission requires HESI A2 scores and background checks.
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| #7 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | ||
Jacksonville University offers a 12-month Practical Nurse program at its Healthcare Simulation Center, though applications are currently not being accepted. The military-friendly program provides intensive campus-based training and is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Despite the private institution's higher tuition, the net price after aid is competitive. Note that program-specific earnings data is not available.
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Sticker-price tuition rarely tells the full story. After federal, state, and institutional grants, the net price students actually pay can drop dramatically, sometimes to under $1,000. Among Miami-area LPN programs, Pell Grant participation is high, signaling that need-based aid is widely available.
Of the five LPN programs surveyed in Miami, four require the TEAS exam, one uses the HESI, and two accept TABE scores for basic skills eligibility. Requirements are current for 2026 and subject to change.
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) assesses readiness in reading, math, science, and English, it is a nursing-focused predictor of success. The Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) measures foundational skills in reading, math, and language, often used to confirm basic academic eligibility. Some schools, like Miami Dade College, may require both: TABE for applicants who completed high school before 2007 or abroad, and the TEAS for program admission.
All Miami LPN programs require a high school diploma or GED. Most do not set a minimum GPA but instead rely on entrance exam scores. Miami Dade College, for example, requires a TEAS composite above 58%. Broward-Miami Health Institute demands a HESI overall score of at least 50%, with individual reading and math scores also at 50% or higher. South Florida State College expects basic competency demonstrated through TABE, PERT, SAT, ACT, or a prior degree. Some programs, like Atlantic Technical College, require attendance at a nursing-specific orientation.
Miami Lakes Educational Center uses an open-entry, open-exit model, allowing flexible start dates throughout the year. All other programs are competitive, with specific application deadlines and limited seats. For instance, South Florida State College’s fall 2026 deadline is May 4, 2026. In competitive programs, a higher exam score improves your chances, so plan to test early and submit all documents by the deadline.
The national first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for 2023 was 86.67%1, reflecting the performance of practical nursing graduates across the United States. In Florida, however, the average first-time pass rate for the same year was significantly lower at 74.87%2. This gap underscores the importance of scrutinizing program-level outcomes within the state, as overall state averages can mask wide variation among individual schools.
At the time of this writing, comprehensive program-level NCLEX-PN pass rates for Miami-area LPN programs are not publicly aggregated in a single report. The most reliable sources for this data are the Florida Center for Nursing’s annual NCLEX reports2 and the NCSBN’s program-level dashboards1. Prospective students should visit the Florida Board of Nursing website or contact admission offices directly to request recent pass-rate histories. When comparing programs, look for at least two to three years of data to identify trends: stable or improving rates signal consistent preparation, while declining numbers may warrant caution.
A consistently high NCLEX-PN pass rate, generally above 80%, suggests that a program effectively prepares its students for licensure and entry-level practice. While a single year’s dip may occur, repeated low performance or wide fluctuations can indicate issues with curriculum, instruction, or student support. Because Florida’s average trails the national figure, Miami applicants should prioritize programs that exceed the state benchmark and approach or surpass the national average. This yardstick helps ensure that time and tuition investment translates into timely licensure and employability.
Most Miami LPN programs require 1,350 hours of instruction, typically completed in 12 to 15 months. The exact timeline varies by school and whether you attend full-time or part-time.
- 12-Month Programs: Atlantic Technical College and Broward-Miami Health Institute both offer 1,350-hour programs completed in 12 months of full-time study. - 15-Month Program: Miami Lakes Educational Center & Technical College covers 1,350 hours over 15 months, including 675 hours of clinicals, with Monday through Friday classes. - Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology’s program lasts 45 weeks (just over 10 months) for 1,370 total hours, slightly longer hourly but shorter calendar time due to scheduling. Miami Dade College and Florida National University do not list a precise number of months but generally describe their LPN training as a one-year certificate.
Several schools accommodate students with daytime jobs or family obligations: - Day and Evening Tracks: Miami Lakes Educational Center runs parallel day (8:00 a.m.–1:40 p.m.) and evening (4:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m.) cohorts, Monday through Friday. Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology also offers both day and evening sessions. - Day Only: Atlantic Technical College’s program meets Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–1:45 p.m., with no evening option. Broward-Miami Health Institute and Florida National University ask prospective students to contact them directly for the latest schedule details, as they are not publicly listed.
No Miami-area program currently advertises part-time or weekend-only tracks. If you need that level of flexibility, reach out to admissions offices, plans can shift between academic years.
Every program includes hands-on clinical experience, but hours and settings differ: - Miami Lakes Educational Center dedicates 675 of its 1,350 hours to clinical rotations, nearly half the curriculum. - Atlantic Technical College’s clinical placements are arranged at local healthcare facilities during daytime hours. - Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology and Broward-Miami Health Institute both describe their training as in-person with clinical rotations, though specific partner names are not published. Clinical sites commonly include hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and community health clinics, giving you exposure to a variety of patient populations.
As of 2025–2026, none of the accredited Miami LPN programs offer a fully online or hybrid format (online didactic plus in-person clinicals). All are strictly on-campus. Similarly, accelerated options that compress the curriculum into fewer than 10 months are not available. The fastest paths remain the 12-month, full-time day schedules at Atlantic Technical College and Broward-Miami Health Institute.
Check individual school websites for the most current scheduling and format details, as offerings can change.
According to May 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Licensed Practical Nurses in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach metro area earn a mean annual wage of $55,060.1 This is slightly below Florida’s statewide mean of $57,140 and the national median of $59,730. While BLS does not publish a metro-level median for this occupation, the figures indicate that Miami wages are competitive, though local cost of living should be factored into any comparison.
Program-level graduate earnings for Miami LPN programs are not yet available from U.S. Department of Education scorecard data, so prospective students should inquire directly with schools about job placement rates and alumni salary surveys.
National employment of LPNs is projected to grow 3%2 from 2024 to 2034, with demand driven by an aging population and the need for long-term care. Florida’s large retiree population and Miami’s dense healthcare sector suggest steady demand for LPNs, particularly in skilled nursing facilities, home health, and outpatient clinics. BLS reports 8,670 LPNs employed in the Miami metro area as of 2023.1
Miami’s bilingual (Spanish-English) LPNs may command a wage premium in settings that require frequent patient communication, such as home health and community clinics. Employers often value language skills, and some offer differential pay, though premiums vary by facility and role.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earned a national median annual wage of $86,070 in 2025, while licensed practical nurses earned $59,730, a difference of over $26,000. Bridging from LPN to RN is one of the most direct ways for Miami practical nurses to increase their earning power and expand their scope of practice.
Several local colleges offer accelerated pathways that let working LPNs earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN or ASN) and become eligible for the NCLEX-RN.
These bridge programs are designed for working nurses, compressing the typical two-year ADN into roughly 12 to 18 months of full-time study. Tuition varies by institution, but many Miami LPNs find that the salary increase after earning an RN license quickly offsets the educational investment. Because all three programs culminate in an associate degree, graduates can later enroll in RN-to-BSN completion programs at four-year universities like Florida International University, which does not offer a direct LPN-to-BSN pathway.
Moving from LPN to RN is not just about a title change, it fundamentally shifts your career trajectory. Beyond the national median wage gap noted above, RNs in Florida often command salaries above $75,000, and the greater demand for registered nurses opens doors to leadership, specialty, and hospital-based roles that are typically unavailable to LPNs. For Miami LPNs weighing their next step, a bridge program represents a concentrated effort with a clear and measurable return.
Choosing the right LPN program in Miami impacts your training experience, exam preparation, and career readiness. Below are answers to common questions about accreditation, schedules, program length, and more to help you make an informed decision.
