Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, program length, and outcomes for accredited LPN schools near West Palm Beach.
Licensed practical nurses in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area earned a median $61,990 in 2024, reflecting steady demand across South Florida’s healthcare systems.
Yet no LPN programs operate inside West Palm Beach city limits. The seven programs ranked on this page draw students from Palm Beach County and beyond, with costs, lengths, and NCLEX pass rates varying sharply.
Choosing a practical nursing program here means weighing the affordability of state colleges against private schools’ accelerated timelines, and verifying that NCLEX preparation translates to real employment opportunities.
This ranking highlights five practical nursing programs within commuting distance of West Palm Beach, offering a range of schedules, costs, and clinical training opportunities. The list includes both private career colleges and public technical centers, helping aspiring LPNs find a path that fits their budget and career timeline.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Southeastern College-West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | Time-conscious career changers | |
Southeastern College's West Palm Beach campus offers a 12-month practical nurse diploma that combines classroom study with clinical rotations in area extended care facilities and hospitals. The curriculum covers foundational nursing concepts across six sequential courses, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. Admission requires a high school diploma and a minimum ATI TEAS score.
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| #2 | HCI College | West Palm Beach, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | Students wanting materials included | |
HCI College provides a 16-month practical nursing diploma at its West Palm Beach campus with a curriculum that integrates theory, simulation, and clinical experiences. The program highlights include included uniforms and materials, career placement assistance, and eligibility for federal financial aid. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN exam and entry-level LPN roles in various healthcare settings.
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| #3 | William T McFatter Technical College | Davie, FL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Budget-conscious Florida residents | |
William T McFatter Technical College, located in Davie, offers a full-time 12-month practical nursing certificate with ACEN accreditation and a 97% licensure pass rate. The program includes integrated simulation and clinical experiences, and the total estimated cost for Florida residents is about $6,525, including fees and books.
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| #4 | Sheridan Technical College | Hollywood, FL | $7,000/yr | ||
Sheridan Technical College in Hollywood runs a 12-month practical nursing program accredited by ACEN and the Florida Board of Nursing, with a 92% licensure pass rate. Students gain clinical exposure in acute and long-term care, and the program offers multiple start dates annually. The low net price makes it an affordable option for in-state students.
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| #5 | Atlantic Technical College | Coconut Creek, FL | $10,000/yr | ||
Atlantic Technical College in Coconut Creek offers a 12-month classroom-based practical nursing certificate with ACEN accreditation and a 99% NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate. The program features five start dates per year, a money-back guarantee eligibility, and potential college credit transfer. With a total program tuition around $3,780, it is one of the most affordable pathways in the region.
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Our ranking draws on four publicly available data points that reflect both affordability and student success. We start with net price (the actual cost after grants and scholarships) as a measure of financial burden. Then we incorporate each institution’s overall graduation rate, which serves as a proxy for student support and persistence; note that this rate covers all students, not just LPN candidates. For post-graduation outcomes, we consider earnings and median debt from the College Scorecard, where program-level data is available. Finally, we include the share of undergraduate students receiving Pell Grants, a widely used indicator of economic accessibility.
Unlike many listicles that simply list schools without justification, we believe transparency matters. Every program in this guide earned its place through a consistent, data-driven method. And because West Palm Beach residents often commute for education, our search radius captures accredited LPN programs within a reasonable driving distance (not just those inside city boundaries) so you see options that are truly accessible from the area.
Sticker prices don't tell the full story. Net price, the amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships, varies dramatically across ranked schools. The majority of public programs come in under $6,000 per year, while private options can exceed $35,000. Pell Grant participation and median graduate debt further clarify which programs deliver the most affordable path to licensure.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are the single most reliable indicator of a practical nursing program's quality. They directly measure how well a school prepares students for the exam required to become a licensed practical nurse, and they matter for your future career.
A program's first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate shows whether its curriculum, instruction, and clinical training prepare students for real-world nursing. Low pass rates can signal inadequate teaching or resources, and they may delay your entry into the workforce. The Florida Board of Nursing monitors these rates closely; programs that fall below a certain threshold risk sanctions or closure.
According to the most recent NCSBN data, the national first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for 2024 was 86.59%. In Florida, the average across all LPN programs was notably lower, at 78.56% 1. This gap suggests that students attending in-state programs face a tougher path to licensure, making it even more important to choose a school with above-average results.
The Florida Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-PN pass rates for every approved LPN program. Before enrolling, look up each West Palm Beach school's specific performance. A rate consistently above the state average is a green flag, while a declining trend or numbers below 70% should raise concerns. Since no single school’s data was available in our dataset, we encourage you to verify these figures directly as part of your research.
Practical nursing programs in West Palm Beach balance required clock hours with clinical rotations to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN. Because program structures vary, it's essential to review official school materials before applying.
Most LPN programs require a high school diploma or GED, a minimum GPA (often 2.0, 2.5), and passing scores on entrance exams like the TEAS or HESI A2. Additional prerequisites may include background checks, drug screenings, CPR certification, and up-to-date immunizations. Always confirm the latest requirements on each school's website, as they can change between application cycles.
Florida approved practical nursing programs typically range from 1,200 to 1,400 clock hours. Full-time tracks often take 12, 18 months, while part-time or evening options extend the timeline to 24 months or longer. Palm Beach State College, for instance, structures its program across three semesters, blending classroom instruction with supervised clinical experiences. For a detailed hourly breakdown, consult the program's current student handbook.
Daytime classes remain the standard, but some area schools offer evening or weekend cohorts for working students. South Tech Academy and other district-sponsored programs may offer flexible scheduling options, though availability varies each year. Contact the nursing department directly for the most current information on evening or weekend schedules.
Hands-on training in local hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics is a core component. Clinical placement details, including site locations, required hours, and partnership agreements, are typically finalized after admission. During interviews or information sessions, ask about past clinical sites to gauge the types of facilities you might experience.
For licensed practical nurses ready to advance, Palm Beach County offers several bridge pathways to an RN license. The most established is the Transition to RN (AS Nursing) program at Palm Beach State College, with an additional accelerated bachelor's option at HCI College.
This 72-credit associate program takes approximately 24 months to complete and combines online theory with in-person clinical rotations. Students must hold an active, unrestricted Florida LPN license and meet a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants also submit HESI or TEAS exam scores. Admission cohorts begin in January and August each year, and classes are held at the Lake Worth and Belle Glade campuses. Palm Beach State uses an ACE exam to award advanced standing credit for LPN-level knowledge, streamlining the pathway.
For those seeking a bachelor's degree, HCI College offers an LPN-to-RN BSN track. The program runs 24–36 months in an accelerated format, with advanced standing based on a transcript evaluation. An active LPN license is required. HCI's curriculum is designed to move working LPNs toward a BSN efficiently, though it represents a private-college tuition rate.
In both programs, prior LPN coursework may reduce total required credits, but the process differs. Palm Beach State relies on a challenge exam (ACE), while HCI evaluates transcripts individually. Students from accredited practical nursing programs, including those ranked on this page, generally meet the baseline requirements, though formal articulation agreements may vary. A strong GPA and entrance exam scores improve admission prospects.
Earning an RN through a bridge takes roughly two to three years beyond the LPN, depending on full- or part-time study. Tuition and fees reflect the institution type: public ASN programs like Palm Beach State's tend to be more affordable than private BSN options. Financial aid and employer tuition assistance can offset costs, making the transition practical for many local LPNs.
Licensed practical nurses in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area earned a median annual wage of $61,990 in 2024, with the middle half of earners falling between $57,350 and $65,350. This metro median sits notably above Florida’s statewide median of $60,080, as reported in LPN salary by state data, and reflects higher cost-of-living adjustments and demand in South Florida’s healthcare market.1
Wages for experienced LPNs in the top decile reach $74,4201, showing strong earning potential for those who gain specialization or move into supervisory roles.
Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects LPN employment to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 17,100 new positions added and an average of 54,400 annual openings when accounting for replacements.2 Florida’s large retiree population and expanding outpatient services are expected to sustain a similarly steady demand for practical nurses in Palm Beach County.
Top employers in the West Palm Beach area include acute-care hospitals, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. These settings often compete for newly licensed LPNs, supporting a solid job outlook for graduates entering the field.
Curious about starting a practical nursing career in West Palm Beach? Below are answers to the most common questions about LPN programs in the area, covering costs, timelines, and career prospects.
