Top LPN Programs Near Centerville, Ohio for 2026

Which LPN program near Centerville best fits your schedule, budget, and career goals? With at least half a dozen accredited LPN programs in Ohio within commuting distance of Montgomery County, finding a program is not the hard part. The real work is comparing tuition, graduation rates, NCLEX-PN performance, and clinical placement logistics. These factors can vary sharply even among public institutions. Ohio's median LPN wage of $52,330 makes the license a reliable return on investment, but not all programs deliver the same outcomes.

Best LPN Programs Near Centerville, OH

Our rankings highlight LPN programs that combine strong outcomes, flexible schedules, and clinical training opportunities accessible to Centerville residents. Each entry includes key details on cost, graduation rates, and what sets the program apart. While program-level earnings data are not yet available for most, institutional graduate earnings and median debt are included where reported.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	Professional Skills Institute	Maumee, OH	$21,000/yr	Multi-state licensure seekers
Professional Skills Institute offers a hybrid Practical Nurse diploma that can be completed in 48 weeks, blending online learning with hands-on labs and 270 clinical hours. In-state tuition is $15,884, with a net price of $20,721 and median graduate debt of $17,813. The institution's overall graduation rate is 43.5%, and its LPN program is fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing, also meeting Michigan licensure requirements. Practical Nurse — On-Campus Visit Website 48-week diploma with hybrid class format Daytime and evening scheduling options 270 hours of supervised clinical training Full approval by Ohio Board of Nursing Meets Michigan LPN licensure requirements Eligible for NCLEX-PN examination Financial aid available for qualified students Computer labs and online learning resources
#2	ATA College-Cincinnati	Cincinnati, OH	$25,000 – $30,000/yr	No-prerequisite, no-waitlist students
ATA College-Cincinnati provides a 15-month hybrid Practical Nursing diploma with no prerequisites and no waiting list, making it a fast-entry option. Tuition is $14,250, but the net price averages $27,055 due to additional costs. Median debt is $21,030, and the school-wide graduation rate is 62.5%. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-PN, and career placement assistance is offered. Practical Nursing Program — Hybrid Visit Website 15-month diploma program, no prerequisites No waiting list for immediate enrollment Hybrid format with online and on-campus labs Clinical experience integrated into curriculum Eligible for NCLEX-PN licensure exam Provisional approval from Ohio Board of Nursing Day class times with laptops available Career placement support services
#3	Ohio Medical Career College	Dayton, OH	$15,000 – $20,000/yr	Centerville-area commuters
Ohio Medical Career College, located in nearby Dayton, offers a 40-week campus-based Practical Nursing diploma with both day and evening tracks. The net price is $16,456, and median graduate debt is $12,403. The institution-wide graduation rate is 79.1%. This program holds provisional approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing and requires applicants to already hold a CNA or MA certification plus CPR training. Practical Nursing — On-Campus Visit Website 40-week diploma program, four 10-week terms Day and evening class schedules available Combines classroom instruction with clinical practice Covers anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nutrition Requires prior CNA or Medical Assistant certification Authorized by Ohio State Board of Career Colleges Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam Provisional approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing
#4	Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati	Cincinnati, OH	$29,000/yr
Galen College of Nursing in Cincinnati provides a Practical/Vocational Nursing diploma that can be completed in as little as 12 months full-time or 21 months part-time, with four start dates per year. Tuition is $17,048, net price is $28,785, and median debt is $24,166. The institution's graduation rate is 57.1%, and ten-year median earnings for graduates are $61,480. The program includes hands-on clinical coursework and requires an entrance exam. Practical/Vocational Nursing — On-Campus Visit Website 12-month full-time or 21-month part-time tracks Four annual start dates for flexibility On-campus format with clinical learning labs Comprehensive NCLEX-PN exam preparation Entrance exam (TEAS) required for admission High school diploma or GED needed to apply Financial aid and scholarships available Academic advisor assigned to each student
#5	Fortis College-Columbus	Westerville, OH	$28,000/yr
Fortis College-Columbus in Westerville offers a hybrid Practical Nursing program that blends online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical rotations. In-state tuition is $14,935, net price is $27,708, and median debt is $12,547. The institution's graduation rate is 40.1%, and the program is especially suited for STNAs seeking advancement through transfer credits. Program-level earnings are not reported. Practical Nursing — Hybrid Visit Website Hybrid learning format for flexibility Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam Financial aid available for those who qualify Hands-on clinical experience in healthcare settings Transfer credits available for STNAs Covers nursing theory, lab skills, and patient care
#6	Southern State Community College	Hillsboro, OH	$5,000 – $10,000/yr
Southern State Community College in Hillsboro provides a three-semester Practical Nursing certificate with a remarkably low net price of $9,674 for in-state students. The institution's graduation rate is 37%, but the nursing program reports a 92% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement. Median debt is $11,457, and classes meet during the day at two campuses. Practical Nursing — On-Campus Visit Website Three-semester certificate program, 35 credit hours 92% NCLEX-PN pass rate for recent cohorts 100% job placement rate for graduates Day classes at two campuses (Central and Brown County) Lecture, lab, and clinical experiences integrated E-books available at reduced cost Financial aid and a Health Sciences Navigator available Minimum C grade required in all nursing courses
#7	Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls	Cuyahoga Falls, OH	$23,000/yr
Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls offers a 16-month Practical Nursing program delivered on campus, though some blended learning elements may be used. Tuition is $14,596, net price is $23,374, and median debt is $13,000. The institution's graduation rate is 46.6%. Preparation for the NCLEX-PN and diverse patient care settings are central to the curriculum. Practical Nursing — On-Campus Visit Website 16-month diploma program, campus-based Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam Focuses on patient care across diverse settings Financial aid options available for eligible students Clinical training included in the curriculum

How Much Do LPN Programs Cost Near Centerville?

The published tuition rate is only part of the picture. Net price after grants and scholarships often looks very different, and the share of students receiving Pell Grants can signal a school's commitment to affordability. Keep in mind that these net price figures are institution-wide averages; your individual cost will depend on your financial aid package.

NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for Ohio LPN Schools

Why NCLEX-PN Pass Rates Matter

Passing the NCLEX-PN is a non-negotiable step to becoming a licensed practical nurse in Ohio. Without that license, you cannot work as an LPN, so a school’s first-time pass rate is one of the most direct quality signals available. A high pass rate indicates that the program prepares students well for the exam, while a consistently low rate suggests gaps in the curriculum or student support.

Ohio Statewide Pass Rate

According to the Ohio Board of Nursing’s 2024 NCLEX-PN pass rate report, the statewide average for first-time test takers was 80.38%¹. This benchmark gives you a quick reference point: a program performing near or above this average is generally doing a solid job.

Comparing Centerville-Area Programs

For LPN programs near Centerville, pass rates can vary substantially. As an example, Academia Medical Institute posted a 47.5% pass rate in 2024¹, well below the state average. That stark difference highlights how important it is to check individual school data rather than assuming all local options are equal. Other schools in the Dayton metro area may have rates closer to or above the statewide figure, so gather this data directly from each program’s admissions office or the Ohio Board of Nursing’s public reports.

What to Look For

• Consistency: Aim for programs that show pass rates consistently above 80% over multiple years.
• Recent data: Ask the admissions office for the most recent year's pass rate. Some schools may have only a single year of data if they are new, but established programs should have a track record.
• Trends: A program whose rates have improved may indicate strong remediation efforts, while declining rates might be a red flag.

Even a school with a lower pass rate might be working hard to improve, but your goal is to choose a program that gives you the best chance at licensure on your first attempt. Investigating NCLEX-PN outcomes now can save you time, money, and stress later.

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What to Look for in a Centerville-Area LPN Program

Today's practical nursing programs increasingly balance rigorous NCLEX-PN preparation with the flexibility working adults need. Selecting the right program near Centerville means looking beyond the basic curriculum and understanding how schedule, clinical placements, admissions, and length align with your life.

Schedule and Flexibility

Not every student can attend a traditional daytime program. Ohio Medical Career College in Dayton runs both day and evening cohorts, and Collins Career Technical Center offers similar scheduling options that let you keep a job while training. Other programs stick to a set daytime block, Vantage Career Center, for example, meets Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. If you need part-time attendance, ask the admissions office directly: some schools can accommodate a slower pace even if it is not advertised, though it will extend the total time to licensure.

Clinical Experience

Hands-on training turns classroom knowledge into bedside competence. Area LPN programs place students with clinical site partners throughout the Dayton metro. While specific facility agreements change each year, students commonly rotate through local hospitals, long-term care centers, and community health agencies. Vantage Career Center explicitly lists local hospitals, community agencies, and long-term care facilities as its clinical sites. These partnerships give you exposure to different patient populations and work environments, which can help you decide which setting you prefer after graduation.

Admission Requirements

Most Centerville-area LPN programs share a core set of prerequisites. You will need a high school diploma or GED, and many schools require a background check and drug screening once you are accepted. Entrance exams vary: some programs use the TEAS or HESI, while Collins Career Technical Center uses the WorkKeys assessment with minimum scores in Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents. A minimum age of 18 is standard. Completing prerequisite courses in basic math and English is often expected, so check each program’s website for the current catalog.

Program Length

Full-time LPN programs in Ohio typically run 11 to 14 months. Vantage Career Center’s program spans 11 months and 1,318 clock hours, while Collins Career Technical Center finishes in about 12 months with 1,300 hours. Part-time or evening tracks will take longer, sometimes stretching to 18 or 24 months. When comparing programs, look at total credit or clock hours, not just calendar length, because the number of instructional and clinical hours directly affects how thoroughly you are prepared for the NCLEX-PN and your first nursing role.

How Do LPN Salaries Stack Up? National Percentiles vs. Ohio’s Median

Wages for LPNs vary widely by experience, employer, and location. The chart below shows the nationwide wage distribution for licensed practical nurses in 2022. Ohio’s median annual wage of $52,330 sits between the 25th and 50th percentiles nationally. For more precise Dayton-area figures, visit the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics query tool and filter by metropolitan area.

LPN-to-RN Bridge Pathways in the Dayton Area

Most LPN-to-RN bridge programs in the Dayton area can be completed in 11 to 24 months, letting you build on your existing practical nursing license without starting from scratch.

Why Bridge to an RN License

An LPN-to-RN bridge recognizes your clinical experience and prior coursework, condensing the path to registered nursing. Instead of a full two-year ADN, you advance through an abbreviated sequence that fills in assessment, pharmacology, and leadership competencies. For many LPNs, that means a shorter route to higher pay, registered nurses earn a significantly higher median salary than LPNs nationally, and greater autonomy in patient care. An RN also unlocks long-term career mobility: it’s the prerequisite for most BSN completion programs and for specialty certifications that can increase your earning potential even further.

Bridge Programs Within Reach

Several accredited institutions near Centerville offer dedicated LPN-to-RN tracks, each with its own format and admission requirements: - Clark State College: LPN to RN Associate of Applied Science, campus-based, 18-24 months, 65 credits. - Butler Tech: LPN to RN Bridge Program, hybrid delivery, about 12 months, estimated $15,249 cost including fees, TEAS exam required. - Upper Valley Career Center: LPN to RN Diploma, campus-based, 12 months. - Collins Career Technical Center: LPN to RN Diploma, 11 months, $15,795 total program cost, requires TEAS (minimum 65), WorkKeys, and at least one year of LPN work experience. - Ohio Business College: LPN to RN Program, 11 months, minimum 2.0 GPA required. - Fortis College – Centerville: Associate Degree in Nursing, campus program that may offer advanced placement for LPNs.

From RN to BSN and Beyond

Earning an RN is just the beginning. Many bridge programs are designed to meet general education requirements for a BSN, so you can continue seamlessly. Once licensed, RNs can pursue specialty certifications in areas like critical care, pediatrics, or gerontology, which often correlate with higher pay and leadership roles in the Dayton healthcare market.

Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Programs in Centerville

Selecting an LPN program is a big decision. Prospective students often have questions about expenses, program length, prerequisites, and what to expect after graduation. Here are clear, research-backed answers to the most frequently asked questions about practical nursing training in the Centerville area.

How much does LPN school cost in Ohio?

LPN program costs in Ohio vary widely. Community colleges and technical schools typically charge between $5,000 and $20,000 for a full diploma or certificate program, depending on residency and program length. Additional expenses include books, uniforms, and exam fees. Financial aid is often available to eligible students.

How long are LPN programs near Centerville, OH?

Most full-time LPN programs near Centerville take 12 to 18 months to complete. Part-time options may extend the timeline. Programs include classroom instruction, lab skills training, and supervised clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities. Accelerated tracks, if offered, can finish in under a year.

What are the admission requirements for LPN programs in Ohio?

Ohio LPN programs generally require a high school diploma or GED, minimum GPA (often 2.5), completion of prerequisite courses like biology and math, a passing score on the TEAS entrance exam, a background check, drug screening, and current immunizations. Some programs also require CPR certification.

Can you work while attending an LPN program in Centerville?

Many LPN students in Centerville work part time, but the rigorous schedule of lectures, labs, and clinicals can be demanding. Evening or hybrid programs offer more flexibility. Good time management and employer support are key to balancing work with the accelerated pace of practical nursing training.

What is the average LPN salary in the Dayton, Ohio area?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for LPNs in the Dayton, OH metropolitan area is approximately $52,000. Entry-level positions pay less, while those with experience or in specialized settings can earn more. Overtime and shift differentials often increase take-home pay.