Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for Greenville-area practical nursing schools
South Carolina’s Upstate healthcare market continues to stretch capacity, ensuring steady demand for newly licensed practical nurses. Major Greenville employers absorb graduates from local and regional LPN diploma programs, often before they sit for the NCLEX-PN.
Several accredited practical nursing programs serve the Greenville area directly, and a broader search reveals strong options across the Upstate and Midlands with specialized clinical rotations and flexible completion schedules. Most programs issue a diploma in three semesters of full-time study.
Entry-level LPNs in the Greenville metro typically start between $21 and $26 per hour, a wage floor that makes the 12- to 18-month training investment practical for career changers and recent high school graduates alike.
While several strong LPN programs sit within Greenville's immediate metropolitan area, an expanded search radius reveals high-quality options across South Carolina offering distinctive clinical experiences, flexible scheduling, and strong NCLEX-PN preparation. These schools provide practical nursing diplomas from Sumter to Myrtle Beach, each with unique advantages for students willing to commute or relocate within the state.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | $6,000/yr | Military-friendly learners in central South Carolina | |
Central Carolina Technical College's Practical Nursing diploma carries recognition as a top-20% eastern region nursing program, blending a rigorous 48-credit curriculum with hands-on clinicals. With a low net price under $5,600 and no entrance exam, it offers an accessible path to NCLEX-PN eligibility. Graduates benefit from the college's strong employer ties across central South Carolina and a military-friendly campus.
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| #2 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | Grand Strand employment seekers | |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College's Nursing-PN Diploma places students in the heart of the Grand Strand's high-demand healthcare market, with clinical rotations across hospitals and clinics along the coast. The ACEN-accredited program requires a TEAS exam and a 2.5 GPA for admission, ensuring a competitive cohort. Graduates benefit from a net price around $4,160 and median earnings exceeding $35,500, making it a cost-effective entry into coastal nursing.
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| #3 | Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree, SC | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | Small-cohort learners in rural South Carolina | |
Williamsburg Technical College's 40-week Practical Nursing diploma thrives on a low 9:1 student-faculty ratio, offering personalized instruction in a small rural setting. The program requires a TEAS score of 60 or higher and a 2.0 GPA, making it accessible yet selective. While the institution's overall graduation rate is low, nursing students benefit from intensive hands-on clinical experiences and a tight-knit cohort.
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| #4 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
York Technical College's Practical Nursing diploma, based at the Chester campus, sits within the Charlotte metropolitan area, giving graduates access to two-state job markets. The ACEN-accredited program admits via a first-qualified, first-served process with TEAS testing, and boasts a low median graduate debt of $7,000. Alumni see median earnings approaching $37,300, supported by clinical rotations across York, Chester, and Lancaster counties.
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| #5 | Northeastern Technical College | Cheraw, SC | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Northeastern Technical College's Practical Nursing program offers a clear LPN-to-ADN transition pathway within the same institution, ideal for students planning to advance to registered nursing. The 48-credit curriculum spans two semesters plus a summer term, with competitive admission requiring TEAS testing. Note that the college enforces a two-attempt limit for nursing program entry, making preparation essential.
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| #6 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | ||
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's Practical Nursing diploma stands out with a 94% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement, backed by ACEN accreditation. Students can choose between a Traditional track and a FLEX model with alternative scheduling, with enrollment in both fall and spring. Graduates earn median wages around $35,800 and carry manageable debt levels.
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| #7 | Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach | Myrtle Beach, SC | $26,000/yr (net price) | ||
Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach offers a fast-track Practical/Vocational Nursing program that can be completed in just 12 months full-time, with four start dates each year. No entrance exam is required, and the private institution serves students uniformly regardless of county. While net price is higher at roughly $25,700, graduates report median earnings above $61,000, reflecting Galen's strong employer reputation and clinical focus.
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When planning to become a licensed practical nurse in Greenville, you have access to LPN programs in South Carolina that offer both accelerated full-time schedules and part-time options to fit work and family obligations.
Most LPN programs in the Greenville area run 12 to 18 months for full-time day students. Tri-County Technical College’s diploma in practical nursing, delivered face-to-face at its Easley campus, offers both day and evening sections.1 Full-time day students can finish in three to four semesters, while evening attendees spread the same curriculum over more terms, often taking 18 to 24 months to complete. This part-time flexibility lets you work or manage family duties, though it requires careful planning around prerequisites.
If you want to finish even faster, ECPI University’s Greenville campus provides a practical nursing program on an accelerated, year-round calendar.2 Students can typically earn the diploma in as few as 12 months by attending classes continuously without long summer breaks. The schedule is intensive, demanding full-time focus, but it shortens the time before you can sit for the NCLEX-PN. Always confirm current start dates and scheduling options directly with the admissions office, as program structures can change.
The sticker price of an LPN program isn’t always what you pay. Financial aid can significantly reduce net cost, and the difference varies by school. The chart below compares in-state tuition to the average net price after grants and scholarships for each program in the Greenville area.
Choosing an LPN program means weighing cost, location, and scheduling flexibility, but the NCLEX-PN pass rate often signals how effectively a curriculum prepares you for the licensing exam. A high pass rate suggests strong instruction and student support, while a low one may raise questions even if other factors seem attractive.
Start by checking each school's website. Most programs publish recent NCLEX-PN outcomes under sections like Admissions, Accreditation, or Consumer Information. For a broader comparison, download the South Carolina Board of Nursing's annual nursing education report, which lists pass rates by school, number of candidates, and passing percentages. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) also offers state-level and national pass rate summaries, along with an interactive tool for deeper analysis.
Look at first-time pass rates for the most recent cohort, these best reflect initial preparation and curriculum effectiveness. Compare a program's rate to the South Carolina state average and the national benchmark. In recent years, national NCLEX-PN pass rates have stayed above 85%, and many South Carolina schools consistently top that figure. Pay attention to trends over multiple years rather than a single blip.
Greenville Technical College, ECPI University Greenville, and Tri-County Technical College all train LPN candidates and report their NCLEX-PN results. The SC Board of Nursing report lets you see how each school's pass rate stacks up against state and national norms. For added context, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows steady demand for LPNs in the Greenville metro area, making a strong exam performance that much more critical for landing a job right after graduation.
What will you need when you're ready to apply? Admissions criteria vary by school, but many Greenville-area LPN programs share a common foundation built on standard LPN prerequisites.
Most programs require a high school diploma or GED and completion of specific college courses. Greenville Technical College’s nursing program, for example, lists ENG 101, MAT 120, BIO 210, and PSY 201 as prerequisites. A cumulative GPA of 2.50 is the minimum to apply, and the biophysical science courses must have been taken within five years.1
The ATI TEAS is widely used. Greenville Tech requires a minimum score of 65, and results stay valid for five years.1 Check each school's website, as other programs may accept the HESI or have different thresholds.
Once accepted, you’ll need to clear a background check, drug screening, and a physical exam. Immunization documentation (MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, TB screening, flu shot) is mandatory. CPR certification from the American Heart Association (BLS) is required before clinicals begin.2
Always verify details on the program’s official admissions page or by calling the nursing department directly. The state board of nursing and professional groups like the National League for Nursing also publish guidance on general LPN admissions criteria.
Potential earnings are a key factor when choosing LPN programs. This section breaks down what LPNs can expect to earn in the Greenville metropolitan area.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2024, the national median annual wage for licensed practical nurses reached $62,340.1 In South Carolina, LPN salaries typically fall slightly below the national median, though the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson metro area often sees wages that align closely with or exceed the statewide average due to demand from major healthcare employers like Prisma Health and Bon Secours St. Francis.
While BLS does not publish a dedicated median for every metro area, national percentile ranges provide a useful reference. Across the U.S., LPNs at the 10th percentile earned around $47,000, while those at the 25th percentile made roughly $54,000. The upper end was strong, with 75th-percentile wages near $72,000 and 90th-percentile wages exceeding $83,000.1 These figures suggest that experience, specialty certifications, and shift differentials can significantly boost take-home pay.
For prospective students weighing program expenses, the math is encouraging. Even entry-level LPN positions in the Greenville area tend to start above $40,000, which means the cost of many local LPN programs could be recovered within the first 18 to 24 months of full-time work. This quick return on investment makes practical nursing an attractive path for career changers and those seeking a faster entry into healthcare.
An LPN-to-RN bridge can lead to either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The choice shapes curriculum depth, time commitment, and career mobility. ADN pathways are shorter and often more affordable, while BSN bridges open doors to leadership roles and graduate study.
Greenville Technical College and Tri-County Technical College are the primary providers near Greenville, each offering an LPN-to-ADN option. Program lengths vary but commonly range from 12 to 18 months for full-time students, depending on prerequisite completion and clinical placement availability.
Admission requirements differ but generally include a current South Carolina LPN license, a minimum number of practice hours, and passing scores on entrance exams like the TEAS. Some programs offer hybrid formats with online theory courses and in-person clinicals, but fully online bridge programs are rare due to hands-on training requirements.
Always verify that a program is approved by the South Carolina Board of Nursing and accredited by either NLN or ACEN; this ensures eligibility for the NCLEX-RN and future transferability. For the most current details, contact admissions offices directly, as program websites may not always reflect recent changes to admission criteria or delivery formats.
Below are answers to commonly asked questions about LPN programs in Greenville, South Carolina. Whether you are comparing costs, NCLEX-PN rates, or scheduling options, these FAQs will help guide your decision.
