Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and program length at accredited Albuquerque nursing schools
Albuquerque’s healthcare employers have been hiring LPNs at a pace that outstrips the local pipeline of graduates. The city supports fewer than a dozen accredited practical nursing programs, most running 10 to 16 months. Costs span a $15,000 range depending on the school, and employers are increasingly weighing NCLEX pass rates when hiring. That's one reason why practical nursing students in the area scrutinize program outcomes as closely as tuition.
New Mexico practical nursing programs that are realistic options for Albuquerque-area students range from local public community colleges to private career colleges. The strongest local choices combine in-state public tuition, campus-based clinical training, and direct preparation for the NCLEX-PN. Each entry below notes whether the school is public or private and whether the program is delivered on campus or with hybrid components.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Central New Mexico Community College | Albuquerque, NM | under $5,000/yr (est.) | Albuquerque learners seeking affordable public option | |
Central New Mexico Community College is the largest public community college LPN option located in Albuquerque. The program is campus-based, with classroom theory, hands-on labs, and supervised clinical rotations in local healthcare settings. Its in-state community college tuition and financial aid supports make it a practical starting point for Albuquerque residents who want to stay in the metro. ACEN accredited
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| #2 | Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM | $21,000/yr (est. net price) | Career-focused students needing hands-on clinical hours | |
Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque is a private career college located in Albuquerque. Its practical nursing certificate is campus-based with hybrid components, and students complete about 405 hours of supervised clinical rotations. The 12-month format and career services support are aimed at students who want to enter patient care quickly.
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| #3 | Carrington College-Albuquerque | Albuquerque, NM | $45,000 – $50,000/yr (est.) | Working adults wanting accelerated campus-based training | |
Carrington College-Albuquerque is a private career college whose practical nursing certificate runs about 12 months. The campus-based program uses simulation labs and supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long-term care, and physician offices. ACEN accreditation and full New Mexico Board of Nursing approval support students preparing for the NCLEX-PN.
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| #4 | New Mexico Junior College | Hobbs, NM | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | ||
New Mexico Junior College is a public community college in Hobbs whose LPN certificate is offered on campus. The program blends classroom instruction, lab practice, and supervised clinical experiences, and it carries approval from the New Mexico Board of Nursing and accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. A built-in LPN to RN transition pathway gives graduates an option to continue into registered nursing.
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| #5 | Clovis Community College | Clovis, NM | under $5,000/yr (est.) | ||
Clovis Community College is a public community college offering a two-semester practical nursing certificate on its Clovis campus. The cohort-based program starts in fall and spring and requires about 17 credits of prerequisite coursework before beginning nursing courses. Clinical rotations span geriatric, adult, pediatric, obstetrics, mental health, and emergency settings.
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| #6 | Northern New Mexico College | Espanola, NM | $7,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Northern New Mexico College is a public college in Espanola offering a three-semester practical nursing certificate. Students complete general education and support courses before petitioning for the certificate, with an option to continue into the fourth nursing semester if they choose. The program is campus-based and structured within the college's nursing sequence.
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| #7 | Santa Fe Community College | Santa Fe, NM | $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) | ||
Santa Fe Community College is a public community college offering a practical nursing certificate on its Santa Fe campus. The program uses a concept-based curriculum through the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium and includes classroom instruction with clinical experiences. Fall and spring application periods and a pathway into the associate degree nursing program make it a flexible option for northern New Mexico learners.
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Each program’s position reflects a blend of affordability, student outcomes, and local relevance. We combined three main signals: an institution’s overall graduation rate, the average net price a student pays after grants and scholarships, and program-level data where available from the College Scorecard.
The graduation rate is school-wide, not specific to the LPN track, so it signals institutional strength rather than program selectivity. Net price is an average, and your actual cost depends on your financial situation and any state or federal aid you receive.
Wherever possible, we looked at earnings and employment data for graduates of LPN programs, drawn from the College Scorecard. Because these measures reflect student success after completing a program, they carry significant weight.
NCLEX-PN pass rates come from the New Mexico Board of Nursing, which oversees nursing programs in New Mexico, and follow a different reporting cycle. We address them in their own section rather than folding them into the ranking, ensuring you can compare programs on both licensure readiness and broader value.
Only schools with a campus within roughly 75 miles of downtown Albuquerque were considered. If too few programs fell within that radius, we expanded the search to surface enough options while keeping the focus local.
Net price is what students pay after grants and scholarships are applied, making it a better gauge of affordability than sticker tuition. Across ranked programs, the net price ranges from $4,621 at Central New Mexico Community College to $37,459 at private Brookline College-Albuquerque. Pell Grant eligibility is high at most public schools, over 90% at CNM and Santa Fe Community College, signaling strong aid access.
What are the admission requirements for LPN programs in Albuquerque? Programs differ in their LPN prerequisites, entrance exams, and GPA expectations. Some demand high school biology and math with a B or better, while others only require a diploma and a placement test. Reviewing the specifics for each school will keep your application on track.
All programs will expect a background check and drug screening before clinical placements. Additional schools like Carrington College may have unique requirements, so confirm directly with each institution. Contacting admissions offices early can prevent last-minute surprises.
While national NCLEX-PN pass rates provide a broad benchmark, every program’s own results tell the real story. A school with a consistent record above the national average gives you stronger confidence than one hovering just at the line.
In 2025, first-time test-takers educated in the U.S. passed at a rate of 86.6%.1 The combined rate for all candidates (including repeats and internationally educated examinees) dropped to 77.3%1, underscoring that the first-time pass figure is the more useful yardstick for new students. Over recent years, the first-time pass rate nationally has stayed in the 83-84% range2, providing a stable reference point.
For Albuquerque LPN programs, the New Mexico Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-PN results. When comparing schools, look beyond a single year; a program that dips by a few points one year may rebound, and two- to three-year averages paint a more accurate picture. Programs like Central New Mexico Community College or Pima Medical Institute typically report rates at or above the national first-time average, but confirm the latest figures directly with the board.
Median earnings one year after finishing a program offer a reality check on career readiness. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard provides this data for many schools, but at the time of writing, detailed program-level earnings for small LPN cohorts in Albuquerque were not available in a ready-to-compare format. Before enrolling, ask each program for its most recent employment and salary survey results, or check the nursing board’s workforce reports for New Mexico.
LPN students who need to balance work or family obligations can look for accelerated, evening, or part-time pathways. These formats adjust the pace and scheduling of classroom and clinical work. In Albuquerque, multiple schools offer flexible arrangements, but details shift from year to year, always verify current offerings with each program.
Clinical hours form the practical backbone of LPN education. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that LPN programs commonly require between 300 and 600 supervised hours, yet individual state boards set the binding minimum. Check New Mexico’s board of nursing for exact requirements, and consult organizations like NAPNES for professional guidance. Online student communities such as allnurses.com can reveal how schedules play out in practice.
To become an LPN in New Mexico, you must complete an approved practical nursing program, then register for and pass the NCLEX-PN. After passing, apply for licensure through the online Nurse Portal, including a fingerprint-based background check via Idemia/IdentoGo. The entire process takes about 12 to 18 months, and once licensed, you must renew your license every two years with continuing education requirements tracked through CE Broker.
Get straightforward answers to the most common questions about Practical Nursing programs in Albuquerque. Learn about accelerated options, program details at Carrington College, timelines, costs, and salary expectations.
