Compare costs, NCLEX outcomes, and schedules for nearby practical nursing programs ranked for 2026.
Cranberry Township sits at the intersection of Interstate 79 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, roughly 25 minutes north of Pittsburgh and 20 minutes south of Butler, making it a practical hub for LPN training across western Pennsylvania. The region’s nursing homes, hospitals, and outpatient services depend on a steady flow of licensed practical nurses, and programs within a 75-mile radius supply much of that workforce. Cost, schedule, and clinical placements vary widely, even among accredited options. What separates stronger programs is a combination of transparent net-price data, consistent NCLEX-PN pass rates, and a clear pipeline from classroom to clinical floor.
The LPN programs below are ranked with special attention to commuting distance from Cranberry Township, total cost, and how well they feed into the Pittsburgh healthcare job market. While some options require a longer drive, each offers accredited training and a clear path to NCLEX-PN licensure.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Butler County Community College | Butler, PA | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Butler County local commuter pathway | |
Butler County Community College sits just 20 minutes northeast of Cranberry Township in Butler, making it the most convenient public option for local residents. The three-semester Practical Nursing Certificate includes an Anatomy and Physiology track, blending 48 credits of nursing, pharmacology, and hands-on clinical training. BC3 reports an average net price of $6,233, and its overall graduation rate across all programs is 37%. Graduates of BC3 across all majors see median annual earnings of $38,891 about a decade after starting school.
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| #2 | Carlow University | Pittsburgh, PA | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | Pittsburgh healthcare system pipeline | |
Carlow University offers a 16-month Practical Nurse Certificate on its campus in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, roughly a 30-minute drive from Cranberry Township. Funded in part by Allegheny Health Network, the program is explicitly designed to address nursing shortages across the Pittsburgh metro area, the primary job market for Cranberry residents. The university reports an average net price of $20,786 and a school-wide graduation rate of 60%. Graduates earn a median of $51,051 ten years after entry, among the strongest earnings on this list.
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| #3 | Laurel Business Institute | Uniontown, PA | $8,000/yr (net price) | Affordable, accelerated entry into nursing | |
Laurel Business Institute in Uniontown, about 75 miles south of Cranberry Township, delivers a fast-paced 12-month Practical Nursing diploma. The program packs 300 hours of skills lab and 670 clinical hours into a quick turnaround, ideal for students who want to enter the workforce rapidly. With a net price of $7,825 and a school-wide graduation rate of 69%, LBI offers strong affordability. Median earnings for its graduates reach $30,819 ten years after entry.
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| #4 | Mercyhurst University | Erie, PA | $19,000/yr (net price) | ||
Mercyhurst University's one-year Practical Nursing certificate in Erie, PA, about a two-hour drive north of Cranberry Township, holds NLN CNEA accreditation and a near 100% job placement rate. The 30-credit program uses high-fidelity simulation mannequins in state-of-the-art labs, and graduates can seamlessly transition into an RN associate degree. The net price averages $19,444, and the school-wide graduation rate is 60%. Median earnings for Mercyhurst students stand at $47,452 ten years after entry.
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| #5 | Pennsylvania College of Technology | Williamsport, PA | $25,000/yr | ||
Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport offers a 1,536-hour Practical Nursing certificate with full- and part-time options, though its campus sits over three hours east of Cranberry Township. The program is geared toward north-central Pennsylvania's healthcare workforce needs. The net price is $25,110, and the college's overall graduation rate is 53%. Graduates earn a median of $52,567 ten years after enrollment.
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| #6 | Reading Area Community College | Reading, PA | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Reading Area Community College, roughly four hours east of Cranberry Township, reports a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement rate for its one-year Practical Nursing certificate. The program offers clinical rotations at local hospitals and nursing homes, and graduates can move into the college's associate degree nursing program. Net price is $9,228, and the school-wide graduation rate is 34%. Median earnings for RACC graduates are $39,082 a decade after entry.
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| #7 | Harrisburg Area Community College | Harrisburg, PA | $14,000/yr | ||
Harrisburg Area Community College's four-semester Practical Nursing certificate is available in hybrid format with campuses in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York, all more than three hours from Cranberry Township. The program carries ACEN accreditation and features a 96.8% NCLEX pass rate and 97.6% job placement. Net price is $14,471, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 21%. Graduates see median earnings of $42,007 ten years after beginning their studies.
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Our ranking identifies LPN programs within 75 miles of Cranberry Township by balancing affordability, student success, and earnings potential. Each school is evaluated on four weighted factors drawn from the most recent federal data: net price, institution-wide graduation rate, program-level median earnings, and number of completions.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are not factored into our ranking model because the internal dataset lacks this metric. Instead, we highlight recent Pennsylvania Board of Nursing pass-rate data in a dedicated section so you can assess licensure readiness separately. Only programs with sufficient data points are included; if a key metric is missing, that school may still appear but receives a provisional score. The 75-mile radius ensures options are geographically feasible, but we expand it when fewer than three schools appear.
The table below compares the sticker price and net cost for LPN programs near Cranberry Township. Public institutions often offer lower tuition for Pennsylvania residents, while private schools typically charge a single rate and may provide more institutional aid. Keep in mind that the net price reflects institution-wide averages for all undergraduates; actual costs for LPN students may differ depending on program-specific fees and individual financial aid eligibility.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | School Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler County Community College | $9,000 | $12,000 | $6,233 | Public |
| Laurel Business Institute | $13,713 | $13,713 | $7,825 | Private |
| Reading Area Community College | $11,310 | $12,510 | $9,228 | Public |
| Harrisburg Area Community College | $9,495 | $12,472 | $14,471 | Public |
| Mercyhurst University | $45,770 | $45,770 | $19,444 | Private |
| Carlow University | $35,874 | $35,874 | $20,786 | Private |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology | $17,940 | $25,680 | $25,110 | Public |
In 2024, All-State Career School in Essington reported an NCLEX-PN pass rate of 81.58% among 38 test-takers1, a result that edges just past Pennsylvania’s statewide minimum pass rate of 80%2. Pass rates like these are a practical indicator for anyone comparing LPN programs near Cranberry Township, but the most current and comprehensive numbers are spread across a few essential sources.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing compiles annual NCLEX-PN pass rates for every approved program in the state. The latest published dataset covers fiscal year 20241, and it is the single most authoritative place to see how schools stack up. Visiting the Board’s website lets you pull program-level results directly, giving you an apples-to-apples view without relying on third-party summaries.
Many LPN programs post their own pass rates on their official websites, often alongside accreditation details and graduate placement statistics. When numbers are not immediately visible, call the admissions office and ask for the most recent cohort’s performance. Staff are usually prepared to share that data, and a quick conversation can also clarify how the school supports students who need to retake the exam.
For broader context, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) publishes national NCLEX-PN pass rate averages that serve as a benchmark. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website also tracks nursing employment trends that can inform how pass rates relate to workforce demand in western Pennsylvania. Checking both can help you understand whether a program’s performance is competitive on a larger scale.
Practical nursing programs in western Pennsylvania have standardized many of their admission requirements in recent years, making the pathway clearer for students who prepare ahead. While each school sets its own criteria, a core set of prerequisites, exams, and clearances now applies across most institutions near Cranberry Township.
Every program expects a high school diploma or GED. A minimum GPA between 2.0 and 2.5 is common, Manor College, for instance, requires a 2.5. Prerequisite coursework usually includes anatomy and physiology with a lab component. Pennsylvania Institute of Technology wants a C or higher in those courses, while Butler County Community College (BC3) requires chemistry with lab completed within the last five years. Some schools allow you to take certain prerequisites concurrently with LPN coursework, but it is essential to verify this with each program.
Testing policies vary. Lancaster County Career & Technology Center uses the TEAS 7 exam, and Greater Johnstown CTC enforces a 30-day waiting period before retakes. Other programs, like Pennsylvania Institute of Technology, do not require an entrance exam. Background clearances are universal: all programs mandate Pennsylvania State Police, FBI, and child abuse clearances, as well as a drug screening. Many also require a physical exam and a mandatory orientation session. Manor College adds an interview and essay to the application process, and Pennsylvania Institute of Technology cautions that a past misdemeanor or felony could affect your eligibility for NCLEX-PN licensure down the road.
Most practical nursing programs in the region admit students on a rolling basis or through fixed annual cohorts. You should plan to apply 3–6 months before your intended start date. Some schools, like HACC, accept students into an Allied Health associate degree first and then allow an internal application to the practical nursing component. Since requirements and timelines differ from one institution to the next, always review the current admissions page on the school’s website before you submit materials.
After finishing any required prerequisites, full-time LPN programs near Cranberry Township take 11-12 months, while evening and weekend tracks last 18-24 months. Graduates then take the NCLEX-PN exam for state licensure.
Healthcare hiring in western Pennsylvania continues its steady expansion, fueled by an aging population and a growing network of outpatient and long-term care services. For Licensed Practical Nurses in the Pittsburgh metro area, which includes Cranberry Township, the most recent BLS data shows a median annual wage of $48,040.1 Earnings typically range from about $38,150 at the 10th percentile to $60,220 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the difference between entry-level and experienced roles.
These figures put Pittsburgh-area LPNs slightly above the national median for the occupation, as reflected in LPN salary by state data, and pay can vary by setting and shift differentials.
Nationally, the BLS projects LPN employment to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. In western Pennsylvania, an older population and increased need for home health and skilled nursing services underpin steady hiring. Top employers include UPMC and Allegheny Health Network (AHN), which operate multiple hospitals and outpatient clinics. Long-term care facilities and home health agencies throughout Butler and Allegheny counties remain active recruiters, offering full- and part-time options.
Getting into an LPN program near Cranberry Township means navigating timelines, costs, and state rules. These answers cover the most common questions prospective students ask, from program length to PA scope-of-practice limits.
