Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, clinicals, and admissions for every Kenosha-area practical nursing program.
Kenosha splits the distance between Milwaukee and Chicago, anchoring a practical nursing corridor where graduates compete in a market that straddles two state licensing boards. Seven accredited LPN programs serve the area, from a nearby private college in Wauwatosa to hybrid diplomas that reach well into central Wisconsin.
Public technical programs keep tuition under $10,000, but prerequisites like a certified nursing assistant credential can slow enrollment. Private schools sidestep those hurdles with year-round starts but at roughly double the cost. The state's full directory of LPN programs opens up even more choices.
With employers recruiting across Illinois and Wisconsin, where you train can determine whether your first job is a short commute or the first step in a mobile nursing career.
To identify the top practical nursing programs near Kenosha, we surveyed accredited institutions within a 75-mile radius and ranked them using metrics like affordability, completion rates, and licensure exam performance. All graduation rates shown are institution-wide figures from IPEDS and are not specific to nursing programs. The following five schools represent the best options for aspiring LPNs in the Kenosha-Racine-Milwaukee corridor.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Gateway Technical College | Kenosha, WI | $13,000/yr | Kenosha students seeking local, affordable training | |
Gateway Technical College, located in Kenosha, offers a 30-credit Practical Nursing diploma with three starts per year. The program boasts a 95% NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate and reports strong median earnings of $73,195 for graduates. With a low total tuition of $5,646 and an option to articulate into an associate degree, it is a practical choice for area residents.
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| #2 | William Rainey Harper College | Palatine, IL | $12,000/yr | Achievement-focused learners near Illinois border | |
William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, stands out with a 100% licensure pass rate and a 71% job placement rate among its LPN graduates. The 38-credit certificate requires CNA completion for admission and stacks directly into Harper's Nursing AAS degree. Recognized as a top-ranked program in Illinois, it combines affordable in-district tuition with hands-on clinical training.
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| #3 | Oakton College | Des Plaines, IL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | ADN students pursuing an additional LPN credential | |
Oakton College's 39-credit Practical Nursing Certificate is exclusively available to students already enrolled in the college's ADN program. The curriculum covers maternal-child, chronic illness, and pharmacology topics, emphasizing therapeutic communication and patient advocacy. With an affordable net price and a focus on preparing for the NCLEX-PN, it serves as a stepping stone for ADN students seeking LPN licensure.
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| #4 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | $9,000/yr | ||
Milwaukee Area Technical College's 32-credit Practical Nursing diploma prepares students for the NCLEX-PN with a curriculum that ladders into the RN associate degree. Admission is competitive, with 60 seats per semester and a waiting list, requiring a TEAS exam score of 58.7% and a B-minus or higher in anatomy. The ACEN-accredited program blends classroom theory with clinical experiences in nursing homes and hospitals.
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| #5 | Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa | Wauwatosa, WI | $15,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa offers a 12-month, 41-credit Practical Nursing diploma with clinical internships at HCA Hospitals and Sentara Healthcare. The program is approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing and has no application fee. Credits can be transferred into the college's associate nursing degree, providing an efficient path to a nursing career.
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Below is a cost breakdown of the ranked LPN programs near Kenosha. In-state tuition represents the published rate for Wisconsin residents, while net price, an institution-wide average after grants and scholarships, provides a more realistic picture of actual out-of-pocket costs, though individual awards may vary. Public technical colleges typically offer lower sticker prices, but private schools like Bryant & Stratton may have significantly higher tuition even before aid; net price helps level the comparison but is not a guaranteed quote.
A minimum GPA of 2.6 and a state-approved nursing assistant course are the first hurdles at Gateway Technical College, while Herzing University sets its own entry benchmarks. Both programs prepare you for the NCLEX-PN, but their admission processes differ in testing, deadlines, and format.
Gateway’s practical nursing program does not require a TEAS or HESI entrance exam. Instead, the program expects applicants to complete a 20-hour job shadowing experience and hold a current Wisconsin CNA certification (course 543-300). You submit your application by the second Friday of February for the following academic year; there is a nonrefundable $30 application fee. Gateway’s courses are delivered entirely in person on campus, and a background check is required upon acceptance.
Herzing University’s Kenosha campus typically admits students on a rolling basis with multiple start dates each year. Admission requirements generally include a high school diploma or GED, completion of prerequisite coursework (often in sciences such as anatomy and physiology), and a qualifying score on an entrance exam like the TEAS or HESI. Specific cutoff scores and GPA thresholds can vary by intake, so contacting an admissions advisor or attending an information session is the best way to confirm current criteria. Because program details evolve, always verify the latest requirements on Herzing’s website.
A common question is whether you can do an LPN program online in Kenosha. The short answer: no fully online LPN program exists in Wisconsin. Clinical training requires hands-on practice at healthcare facilities, which cannot be replicated virtually. Gateway’s program is fully in-person. Herzing may offer some theoretical coursework online, but core nursing skills labs and clinical rotations still demand on-site attendance. Hybrid formats that blend online learning with in-person clinicals are the most flexible option available.
Both programs enforce standard health and safety prerequisites to comply with clinical site regulations. Expect to document: - Immunizations: Up-to-date records for MMR, varicella, Tdap, hepatitis B, and a recent TB test. - Background check: A criminal history screening, often through a state-approved vendor. - CPR certification: Current Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers from the American Heart Association or equivalent. - Additional items: Drug screening, proof of health insurance, and a physical exam may also be required.
Plan to complete these steps well before your intended start date, as processing times can delay enrollment.
For aspiring practical nurses, a program's NCLEX-PN pass rate is one of the most reliable indicators of how well it prepares students for the licensing exam and the clinical demands that follow.
Gateway Technical College's practical nursing program posted a 99% pass rate (86 of 87 candidates) on the 2025 NCLEX-PN, per the Wisconsin DSPS. The school-reported internal rate was 100%, reflecting near-perfect preparation. In contrast, Herzing University Kenosha's most recently available pass rate is 79.76% from 2022. While this is a snapshot, it underscores the importance of verifying the latest rates directly with the program and on the Board of Nursing website.
A technical diploma in practical nursing at Gateway takes 2–4 semesters, or roughly 12–24 months depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. Many Kenosha-area LPN programs, including private diploma options like Herzing, are structured to be completed in about 12 months of full-time study. This compressed timeline appeals to career changers eager to enter the workforce quickly.
Federal earnings data for specific LPN programs is not yet published. However, comparable Wisconsin technical college programs show encouraging debt-to-return metrics. Median federal loan debt for LPN graduates at state technical colleges generally ranges from $7,000 to $11,500, and the ROI ratio, comparing post-enrollment earnings to net price, often exceeds 4.0. This suggests that even modest LPN wages quickly offset the educational cost for most graduates. Prospective students should weigh these broad indicators alongside the net price and licensure pass rates of each program.
LPNs in the Kenosha-Racine area earn solid wages that climb with experience and specialty, and commuting to larger nearby metros can significantly boost earnings.
In Kenosha County, the median annual wage for licensed practical nurses is $55,489, or about $27 per hour, based on 2026 estimates.1 The Racine metropolitan area, which includes Kenosha, reported a median of $56,000 in 2023.2 Entry-level LPNs often start closer to $45,000, while the top 10% earn above $65,000.
Wisconsin’s statewide median for LPNs is roughly $56,000, $58,000 annually ($27, $28 per hour)3, so Kenosha sits near the state average. For LPNs willing to commute, the Chicago metro area offers medians of $60,000, $62,000 per year2, a clear upside. The Milwaukee market similarly trends higher than Kenosha, driven by larger hospital systems and greater patient volumes.
Major local employers include Froedtert South, Brookside Care Center (a county-run skilled nursing facility), and Aurora Health Care. Beyond hospitals, 36% of LPNs nationally work in nursing and residential care facilities4, a pattern visible in Kenosha County’s long-term care sector. Home health agencies and assisted living centers also provide steady openings, supported by an aging population. The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates continued demand for LPN roles nationwide4, reinforcing Kenosha as a practical launchpad for a nursing career, with LPN programs in Wisconsin preparing graduates to meet local needs.
Gateway Technical College offers a streamlined LPN-to-ADN bridge that lets current LPNs advance toward RN licensure. The pathway begins with a Practical Nursing diploma and moves through a short bridge certificate before completing the associate degree. Below is the typical progression.
Prospective LPN students in Kenosha often have questions about program costs, admission steps, and career prospects. Here are clear answers to the most common inquiries.
