Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program length at accredited Albuquerque nursing schools
Albuquerque’s healthcare employers have been hiring LPNs at a pace that outstrips the local pipeline of graduates. The city supports fewer than a dozen accredited practical nursing programs, most running 10 to 16 months. Costs span a $15,000 range depending on the school, and employers are increasingly weighing NCLEX pass rates when hiring. That's one reason why practical nursing students in the area scrutinize program outcomes as closely as tuition.
The Albuquerque area offers several accredited LPN programs designed for students seeking direct entry into nursing. These rankings highlight schools based on cost, completion rates, and practical training quality. Each program listed provides a path to NCLEX-PN eligibility and entry-level nursing careers.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque, NM | $0 – $5,000/yr | In-district students seeking low-cost public option | |
Central New Mexico Community College is the largest public provider of LPN training in New Mexico, located in the heart of Albuquerque. Its practical nursing certificate blends classroom theory with hands-on clinical experience at local healthcare facilities. CNM offers competitive in-state tuition, extensive financial aid options, and a clear pathway to advanced nursing degrees.
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| #2 | Brookline College-Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | Accelerated learners prioritizing job placement | |
Brookline College offers a private, accelerated LPN diploma program at its Albuquerque campus, designed for students who want to enter the workforce quickly. The program integrates virtual reality, high-fidelity simulation, and supervised clinical rotations, emphasizing compassionate care through the Caritas framework. Graduates benefit from strong job placement support and a curriculum aligned with NCLEX-PN preparation.
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| #3 | Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe, NM | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Northern New Mexico students pursuing affordable certificate | |
Santa Fe Community College provides a practical nursing certificate within a concept-based curriculum developed through the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium. While about an hour from central Albuquerque, the program serves northern New Mexico students with affordable public tuition and fall or spring entry points. It also serves as a stepping stone to SFCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program.
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Each program’s position reflects a blend of affordability, student outcomes, and local relevance. We combined three main signals: an institution’s overall graduation rate, the average net price a student pays after grants and scholarships, and program-level data where available from the College Scorecard.
The graduation rate is school-wide, not specific to the LPN track, so it signals institutional strength rather than program selectivity. Net price is an average, and your actual cost depends on your financial situation and any state or federal aid you receive.
Wherever possible, we looked at earnings and employment data for graduates of LPN programs, drawn from the College Scorecard. Because these measures reflect student success after completing a program, they carry significant weight.
NCLEX-PN pass rates come from the New Mexico Board of Nursing, which oversees nursing programs in New Mexico, and follow a different reporting cycle. We address them in their own section rather than folding them into the ranking, ensuring you can compare programs on both licensure readiness and broader value.
Only schools with a campus within roughly 75 miles of downtown Albuquerque were considered. If too few programs fell within that radius, we expanded the search to surface enough options while keeping the focus local.
Net price is what students pay after grants and scholarships are applied, making it a better gauge of affordability than sticker tuition. Across ranked programs, the net price ranges from $4,621 at Central New Mexico Community College to $37,459 at private Brookline College-Albuquerque. Pell Grant eligibility is high at most public schools, over 90% at CNM and Santa Fe Community College, signaling strong aid access.
What are the admission requirements for LPN programs in Albuquerque? Programs differ in their LPN prerequisites, entrance exams, and GPA expectations. Some demand high school biology and math with a B or better, while others only require a diploma and a placement test. Reviewing the specifics for each school will keep your application on track.
All programs will expect a background check and drug screening before clinical placements. Additional schools like Carrington College may have unique requirements, so confirm directly with each institution. Contacting admissions offices early can prevent last-minute surprises.
While national NCLEX-PN pass rates provide a broad benchmark, every program’s own results tell the real story. A school with a consistent record above the national average gives you stronger confidence than one hovering just at the line.
In 2025, first-time test-takers educated in the U.S. passed at a rate of 86.6%.1 The combined rate for all candidates (including repeats and internationally educated examinees) dropped to 77.3%1, underscoring that the first-time pass figure is the more useful yardstick for new students. Over recent years, the first-time pass rate nationally has stayed in the 83-84% range2, providing a stable reference point.
For Albuquerque LPN programs, the New Mexico Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-PN results. When comparing schools, look beyond a single year; a program that dips by a few points one year may rebound, and two- to three-year averages paint a more accurate picture. Programs like Central New Mexico Community College or Pima Medical Institute typically report rates at or above the national first-time average, but confirm the latest figures directly with the board.
Median earnings one year after finishing a program offer a reality check on career readiness. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard provides this data for many schools, but at the time of writing, detailed program-level earnings for small LPN cohorts in Albuquerque were not available in a ready-to-compare format. Before enrolling, ask each program for its most recent employment and salary survey results, or check the nursing board’s workforce reports for New Mexico.
LPN students who need to balance work or family obligations can look for accelerated, evening, or part-time pathways. These formats adjust the pace and scheduling of classroom and clinical work. In Albuquerque, multiple schools offer flexible arrangements, but details shift from year to year, always verify current offerings with each program.
Clinical hours form the practical backbone of LPN education. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that LPN programs commonly require between 300 and 600 supervised hours, yet individual state boards set the binding minimum. Check New Mexico’s board of nursing for exact requirements, and consult organizations like NAPNES for professional guidance. Online student communities such as allnurses.com can reveal how schedules play out in practice.
To become an LPN in New Mexico, you must complete an approved practical nursing program, then register for and pass the NCLEX-PN. After passing, apply for licensure through the online Nurse Portal, including a fingerprint-based background check via Idemia/IdentoGo. The entire process takes about 12 to 18 months, and once licensed, you must renew your license every two years with continuing education requirements tracked through CE Broker.
Get straightforward answers to the most common questions about Practical Nursing programs in Albuquerque. Learn about accelerated options, program details at Carrington College, timelines, costs, and salary expectations.
