Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and program lengths at Asheville-area practical nursing schools.
In 2023, North Carolina’s licensed practical nurses earned a median $59,150, matching the national median. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not release a separate Asheville metro wage estimate because the local sample was too thin. For a student choosing a program in or near Asheville, that visibility gap makes program quality and clinical placement records unusually important.
The decision isn’t just about cost or NCLEX pass rates; it’s about finding a practical nursing diploma within a realistic commute that can deliver strong licensure outcomes and a clinical network in Western North Carolina’s growing healthcare market. A handful of public and private programs serve the region, and most seat limits are tight.
Selecting a program means balancing schedule flexibility, total cost after aid, and the track record of recent graduates on the NCLEX-PN.
The following schools offer practical nursing diplomas within commuting distance of Asheville, or deliver flexible formats that work for Western North Carolina students. We considered program length, cost after aid, NCLEX readiness, and local clinical pipelines to identify standouts.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mayland Community College | Spruce Pine, NC | $6,000/yr | Mountain-region locals prioritizing proximity | |
Mayland Community College sits in Spruce Pine, the closest public LPN option to Asheville, serving Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey counties. Its Practical Nursing diploma uses a competitive point-based admission system and limited enrollment, favoring applicants with local healthcare experience. The one-year campus program emphasizes hands-on clinicals tied to mountain-region employers, making it a natural fit for those who want to live and work in Western NC after earning their license.
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| #2 | Stanly Community College | Albemarle, NC | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | Working students needing a flexible schedule | |
Stanly Community College in Albemarle offers a 12-month Practical Nursing diploma with a schedule that accommodates part-time or full-time work, particularly on weekends. The program is structured around critical thinking and holistic care, with clinical placements at area facilities. Graduates who later need an RN pathway can take advantage of the college’s LPN-to-ADN bridge program, which uses a competitive points system and the PN Comprehensive Predictor exam for advanced standing.
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| #3 | Montgomery Community College | Troy, NC | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | Career changers wanting a fast hybrid | |
Montgomery Community College’s nine-month Practical Nursing diploma blends online coursework with on-campus classes three to four days per week, completing 480 clinical hours in real healthcare settings. The hybrid format and lack of an entrance exam make it accessible for Western NC learners who prefer to cluster in-person time and do theory remotely. With a focus on holistic care across the lifespan, the program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care.
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| #4 | Richmond Community College | Hamlet, NC | $2,000 – $7,000/yr | ||
Richmond Community College admits only 20 students each fall to its Practical Nursing diploma, ensuring a personalized classroom and clinical experience. The program cost is competitive, and the college’s ADN program boasts a recent 92% NCLEX-RN pass rate, creating a strong internal ladder option for those who later want to become an RN. Applicants must meet prerequisite and GPA requirements and complete the Accuplacer placement test.
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| #5 | Southeastern Community College | Whiteville, NC | $9,000/yr | ||
Southeastern Community College’s campus-based Practical Nursing diploma prepares students for entry-level LPN roles under RN supervision, with an emphasis on evidence-based clinical practice. The curriculum covers the full nursing process across the lifespan, and graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN. An associate degree nursing program at the same college provides a straightforward RN progression for those planning to relocate closer to Asheville after licensure.
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| #6 | Brunswick Community College | Bolivia, NC | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | ||
Brunswick Community College requires a TEAS score of 59 and a 2.5 GPA for entry, signaling a more academically rigorous practical nursing diploma. The 43- to 46-credit program integrates anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and quality improvement, with accreditation by ACEN. It includes state-approved nurse aide training as a prerequisite, making it a solid foundation for those aiming to bridge into an RN program later.
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| #7 | Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | $3,000/yr (net price) | ||
Vance-Granville Community College’s Practical Nursing diploma is being phased out and is only available to continuing students through Fall 2025, so new Asheville-area applicants must plan carefully. The program covers nursing care across the lifespan and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN. Given the sunset timeline, it may suit those who can start immediately and intend to bridge quickly to an RN program elsewhere.
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The published tuition of an LPN program is rarely what students actually pay. Net price, which subtracts average grant and scholarship aid from the total cost, provides a more realistic picture of out-of-pocket expenses. All ranked programs are at public community colleges, which keeps tuition significantly lower than private alternatives, and additional aid such as Pell Grants or employer tuition assistance can reduce costs further.
National NCLEX-PN pass rates have averaged between 83% and 87% in recent years1. This range provides helpful context for comparing individual schools in the Asheville area.
Pass rates measure how well a program prepares graduates for the licensing exam and, by extension, for safe nursing practice. Employers frequently consider these numbers when hiring, and a strong record can open doors at competitive healthcare facilities. Low or declining pass rates may indicate underdeveloped clinical rotations or insufficient test preparation, so this metric deserves careful attention.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing publishes detailed pass rate reports each year. LPN programs near Asheville, like A-B Tech Community College, Blue Ridge Community College, and South College Asheville, are included. For instance, Blue Ridge appears in the 2025 report2, and you can compare its outcome to both the state average and the national benchmark. When reviewing schools, avoid relying on a single year; check multi-year trends to identify programs with sustained excellence. If a school's data isn't readily available online, reach out directly. Transparent programs welcome questions about outcomes.
Gaining a seat in an Asheville-area LPN program requires careful attention to each school’s admission criteria, from TEAS scores to prerequisite coursework. While specific requirements vary, most schools expect a competitive college GPA, typically 2.5 or higher, with stronger performance in anatomy and physiology.
Blue Ridge Community College sets a minimum TEAS score of 60 on the ATI TEAS Version 7 exam; older Version 6 scores expire after three years. A-B Tech Community College does not publish a TEAS minimum but evaluates candidates through a selective, holistic review that may include standardized test scores. Both schools demand a grade of C or better in prerequisite anatomy and physiology courses (BIO-168 and BIO-169 at A-B Tech, taken within five years). South College in Asheville maintains its own admission standards, prospective students should contact the college directly for the latest criteria.
Application cycles are limited. A-B Tech admits one cohort each fall, with a deadline typically in early spring. Blue Ridge also follows a fall-start model; its application window closes early in the calendar year. South College, in contrast, offers multiple start dates throughout the year, giving working adults more flexibility to apply when ready.
Once admitted, students complete the core nursing curriculum in a compact timeframe. Both A-B Tech and Blue Ridge deliver full-time day programs spanning three semesters, approximately 12 months of continuous enrollment after prerequisites are finished. Neither school currently provides evening, weekend, or part-time tracks for the practical nursing diploma. South College’s program may offer alternative pacing; verify current availability of hybrid or part-time options when you apply.
Clinical rotations require more than academic readiness. A-B Tech mandates a BLS CPR certification (American Heart Association Healthcare Provider), a criminal background check, and a drug screening. Blue Ridge and South College enforce similar health and safety protocols. Immunization records, including hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, and a current TB test, are standard at all nursing schools; plan to complete these well before your first clinical day.
In 2023, LPNs in North Carolina earned a median annual wage of $59,150, closely tracking the national median of $59,730. The Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish a separate estimate for the Asheville metro area because the local sample size was too small.
For graduates of LPN programs near Asheville, earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education shows median earnings ten years after starting school ranging from about $30,000 to $36,700 across nearby institutions. More granular figures for the first one or two years after graduation are not yet available, so these longer-term numbers may include graduates working across the state and not solely in the Asheville market.
Top employers include Mission Health (now part of HCA Healthcare), skilled nursing facilities like Givens Communities and Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, and home health agencies such as Bayada and Amedisys. The job outlook for LPNs remains positive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting steady demand driven by an aging population and the ongoing shift toward community-based and long-term care settings.
LPN-to-RN bridge programs in the Asheville area provide a streamlined path for licensed practical nurses to become registered nurses. Several local schools offer these programs, typically allowing you to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) in as few as 12 to 18 months.
Below are answers to common questions about practical nursing programs in Asheville, covering costs, time commitment, exam outcomes, and career pathways. For more details, refer to the corresponding sections throughout this page.
