Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and program formats at every approved RI practical nursing school.
With net prices ranging from $6,513 at Community College of Rhode Island to $36,483 at New England Institute of Technology, Rhode Island’s three approved LPN programs ask aspiring practical nurses to weigh cost against completion certainty. CCRI delivers the lowest tuition but packs a 55-60 hour weekly commitment; New England Tech reports a perfect NCLEX-PN pass rate and 900 clinical hours. A third option, Lincoln Tech, splits the difference with a net price near $27,578 and offers evening pacing.
Rhode Island’s aging population keeps demand for practical nurses above the national average, so completing any one of these programs puts a license within reach. The tight supply of seats (just three programs statewide) means each application must be strategic, not aspirational.
Rhode Island’s small LPN education market simplifies your decision: only three institutions offer practical nursing programs statewide, all ACEN-accredited. We ranked them using net price, graduate earnings, program completion outcomes, and flexibility factors to help you compare value for your goals.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Community College of Rhode Island | Warwick, RI | $7,000/yr (net price) | Rhode Island residents prioritizing affordability | |
As Rhode Island's only public practical nursing program, Community College of Rhode Island delivers a three-semester diploma on the Warwick campus with day classes. The program boasts a 90% licensure pass rate and 94% job placement, and graduates can seamlessly transition into CCRI's Associate Degree Nursing pathway. Recent Rhode Island high school graduates may qualify for free tuition through the Rhode Island Promise Scholarship, making this the most affordable LPN route in the state.
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| #2 | New England Institute of Technology | East Greenwich, RI | $36,000/yr | Hands-on learners wanting immersive simulation | |
New England Institute of Technology's LPN certificate combines 900 clinical hours with training in a 50,000-square-foot simulation lab that replicates a hospital wing. The 15-month program achieves 100% licensure pass and job placement rates, and it articulates directly to NEIT's ASN degree for RN advancement. Small class sizes and faculty still practicing in the field ensure personalized support, though higher tuition reflects the intensive, technology-rich experience.
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| #3 | Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln | Lincoln, RI | $28,000/yr | Working adults needing flexible evening classes | |
Lincoln Technical Institute's practical nursing diploma in Lincoln, RI, offers both day (52-week) and evening (90-week) tracks, accommodating students who must balance school with employment. The ACEN-accredited program includes five clinical rotations at local healthcare sites, with a curriculum covering mental health, maternal-child care, and cultural competence. At about $27,600 net price, it's a mid-range investment with a strong focus on immediate workforce entry.
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Becoming a licensed practical nurse in Rhode Island follows a clear, state-regulated pathway. The process includes completing prerequisites, graduating from an approved nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and applying for licensure through the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Costs for LPN programs in Rhode Island vary significantly by institution type. The net price shown is an institution-level average, not a promised individual amount. Federal aid, including Pell Grants and GI Bill benefits, is accepted across schools, and all three offer payment plans. Lincoln Tech serves the highest share of Pell-eligible students (85.1%), a strong signal of need-based aid accessibility.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid (Avg.) | Median Graduate Debt | Pell Grant Recipients (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) | $5,550 | $14,834 | $6,513 | $10,920 | 81.6% |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln | N/A | N/A | $27,578 | $10,521 | 85.1% |
| New England Institute of Technology | $37,275 | $37,275 | $36,483 | $16,668 | 65.1% |
The table below lists first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates for each approved practical nursing program in Rhode Island, using the most recent data from 2023. At this time, program-level employment share, median earnings, completions counts, and poverty-threshold measures are not publicly reported, so only licensure performance is displayed.
| Program | NCLEX-PN First-Time Pass Rate (2023) |
|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) | 88.00% |
| Lincoln Technical Institute | 85.00% |
| New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) | 100.00% |
Can I really earn my LPN entirely online? It’s a common question, and the short answer is no. Licensed practical nursing requires hundreds of hours of supervised direct patient care, so every LPN program, whether in Rhode Island or elsewhere, includes in-person clinical rotations. What many schools call “online LPN” is actually a hybrid model: online didactic coursework paired with on-site labs and clinicals. In Rhode Island, however, none of the approved LPN programs offer even that hybrid option. All three are campus-based, with classes held during the day or, in one case, the evening.
If you’re searching for flexibility, you’re not looking for a fully online program, you’re looking for a schedule that fits your life. Here’s what the current Rhode Island LPN landscape looks like:
For parents, career-changers, or anyone who needs to earn a paycheck while in school, the evening program at Lincoln Tech is the only true flexible LPN pathway in the state. Classes meet in the evening and cover the same 50 semester credit hours and 1,425 total instructional hours as the day program. The trade-off is duration: it takes nearly twice as long to complete, but you emerge with the same diploma, ready to sit for the NCLEX-PN. You’ll still need to arrange transportation to clinical sites and possibly take some days off work for rotations, so plan ahead.
Hands-on practice is the backbone of LPN education, and Rhode Island programs build in substantial clinical time. Here are the details, where available:
No Rhode Island LPN program names every clinical site ahead of time because placements depend on availability. However, students typically rotate through nursing homes, hospitals, and outpatient clinics across the state. If you need to plan transportation or think about proximity to home, contact the program directly to ask where recent cohorts did their training.
In short: don’t expect an online LPN in Rhode Island, but do know that Lincoln Tech’s evening track is the one legitimate flex option. If you must have daytime classes, CCRI’s public cost advantage or NEIT’s intensive simulation resources might still be worth rearranging your schedule for.
Public community college and private technical school pathways set different bars for admission, and knowing where each one falls helps you target your application.
Each LPN program publishes its own GPA cutoffs, standardized test scores, and lpn prerequisites. At the Community College of Rhode Island, the practical nursing track typically expects a solid high school or college GPA and a TEAS score that meets the program’s benchmark, though exact numbers shift year to year. New England Institute of Technology operates as a private institution with a more streamlined application process, but it still screens for academic readiness. Because these requirements evolve, the only definitive source is the current 2025-2026 admissions section on each school’s official nursing program webpage.
Application windows and waitlist rules change annually, and missing a deadline can delay your start by a full cycle. CCRI often processes applications on a rolling basis or uses a priority deadline, after which qualified applicants wait for the next available cohort. NEIT’s enrollment calendar may follow a different rhythm. Both schools tightly manage seat availability, so submitting a strong application early helps, but flexibility remains important. Confirm the exact cutoff dates and waitlist policies directly on each school’s admissions portal before you apply.
Acceptance goes beyond grades. Before entering any clinical setting, you must pass a criminal background check, drug screening, and a series of health requirements including immunizations and a physical exam. Each school’s clinical compliance office and nursing student handbook detail these steps. The Rhode Island Board of Nursing also establishes minimum character and fitness standards for licensure, so reviewing those early is wise. Start gathering immunization records and identifying a primary care provider for the physical while you complete your application.
For a broader perspective on what LPN programs expect, the Bureau of Labor Statistics website outlines typical prerequisite coursework and academic standards. The National League for Nursing offers standardized guidance on admission practices and candidate readiness. While neither replaces a school’s specific requirements, they can help you gauge your preparedness and understand where Rhode Island programs sit within the wider landscape.
In 2023, licensed practical nurses in Rhode Island earned a mean annual wage of $75,470, with the lowest 10% making at least $62,540 and the highest 10% earning $90,720 or more. This places Rhode Island above the national median of $59,730; wages are also competitive with neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut. Employment in the state stood at 1,110, and job growth is projected to follow the national rate of about 3% through 2034, ensuring steady demand.
Rhode Island's small LPN market demands strategic planning: only a few schools offer the program, so seats are limited. Apply as early as possible, compare total costs and graduate outcomes carefully, and identify a backup plan. Use the cost and success data above to move quickly and make a cost-conscious choice.
What are the concrete steps from LPN to more advanced nursing roles in Rhode Island, and how long does each step take?
The most direct advancement route is an LPN-to-RN bridge program. In Rhode Island, the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) offers the state’s only public LPN-to-RN Option, leading to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This program is designed for working LPNs, granting credit for prior education and licensure, which shortens the time to become a registered nurse. CCRI’s ADN graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and, upon passing, earn a substantial salary increase, often 30–50% more than the typical LPN wage.
For those holding a bachelor’s degree in another field, the University of Rhode Island (URI) runs an Accelerated BSN. However, this is not an LPN-to-BSN bridge; LPNs would need to complete an ADN first or explore direct-entry MSN programs elsewhere. Most LPNs in Rhode Island start with CCRI’s affordable associate pathway.
Once you hold an RN license, online RN-to-BSN programs become accessible. Many nurses complete these while working full-time, often within 12–18 months. A BSN opens doors to leadership, public health, and school nursing roles, as well as graduate study. If you aim to become a nurse practitioner (NP), the next step is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Rhode Island-based universities like URI and Rhode Island College offer graduate nursing tracks, though you may also choose accredited online programs for flexibility.
The majority of LPNs continue working while pursuing further credentials. CCRI’s bridge program structures clinical hours and coursework with working students in mind, often in the evenings or on weekends. Online RN-to-BSN and MSN programs are even more flexible, with asynchronous classes that fit around shift schedules. Because employer tuition reimbursement is common in acute care and long-term care settings, many nurses reduce out-of-pocket costs significantly.
By stacking credentials step by step, an LPN in Rhode Island can become an RN in under two years, earn a BSN while working, and reach the NP level in about six to eight years total, all while maintaining a steady income along the way.
Below are answers to common questions about practical nursing programs in Rhode Island, covering tuition, timelines, online options, and career outcomes. Use these to guide your program selection and licensing process.
