Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and program length at Birmingham-area practical nursing schools.
Alabama employs more than 11,000 licensed practical nurses, and the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area holds one of the highest concentrations of these jobs in the state. UAB Hospital and several regional health systems drive steady demand, making LPN roles a reliable entry point into healthcare.
Within a 75-mile radius of downtown Birmingham, seven accredited practical nursing programs, all at community or technical colleges, enroll students year-round. While every program covers the same state-mandated clinical competencies, tuition, program length, and NCLEX-PN pass rates differ.
For LPN programs in Alabama, a program’s first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate often predicts how quickly a graduate moves into the workforce, and the gap between the strongest and weakest performers can stretch licensure timelines by months.
The Birmingham metro area is home to several accredited practical nursing programs that prepare students for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level LPN positions. Our ranking highlights four standout options within a commutable distance, considering factors like accreditation, program length, scheduling flexibility, and reported student outcomes. Each program offers a unique blend of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training to launch your nursing career.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lawson State Community College | Birmingham, AL | $6,000/yr (net price) | Birmingham residents prioritizing employment outcomes | |
Lawson State Community College, located on the Bessemer campus in Birmingham, offers a highly competitive LPN certificate with ACEN accreditation. The program reports strong NCLEX-PN pass rates and 100% job placement, and it provides a direct LPN-to-RN pathway for career advancement. Admission is based on a point system considering ACT scores and prerequisite GPA, with two start dates per year.
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| #2 | Wallace State-Hanceville | Hanceville, AL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | Evening learners needing flexible scheduling | |
Wallace State Community College in Hanceville offers an ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing certificate that can be completed in three semesters. The program features a competitive point-based admission process, day and evening scheduling options, and access to the college's Center of Excellence in Nursing Education with state-of-the-art simulation facilities. Scholarships are available, and graduates are eligible to continue into the ADN program.
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| #3 | Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | Students valuing concept-based, small-class learning | |
Bevill State Community College in Jasper provides a three-semester Practical Nursing certificate emphasizing a concept-based curriculum adopted in 2016. The program maintains small class sizes with dedicated faculty, and requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and ACT score of 18 for admission. Clinical experiences include background checks and health requirements, and the certificate can serve as a step toward the ADN program.
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| #4 | Shelton State Community College | Tuscaloosa, AL | ~$15,000/yr (est.) | ||
Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa offers a full-time, 12-month Practical Nursing certificate with ACEN and Alabama Board of Nursing accreditation. The program includes 45 credit hours of coursework and supervised clinical experiences, with small student-to-teacher ratios mandated by the state. Evening clinical shifts may be required, and the college advises that students not work during the program due to its intensity.
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Choosing an LPN program in Birmingham often comes down to a tradeoff: you want a program that is affordable and flexible, but you also need one with a strong track record of preparing students for the NCLEX-PN and early career success. Our ranking of Birmingham LPN programs balances these priorities by examining multiple data points that reflect both value and quality.
We focused on four key areas that directly affect your experience and outcomes: - Affordability: We looked at the average net price (total cost after grants and scholarships) for in-district or in-state students at the undergraduate level, since most LPN programs are certificate or diploma tracks. This shows what you might actually pay. - Graduation rates: While IPEDS reports graduation rates for the entire institution, not specifically for the nursing program, higher overall completion rates can signal strong student support services that benefit all students. - Program format: Availability of online, hybrid, or evening/weekend options can be critical if you need to work while studying. Schools offering flexible timetables scored higher. - Earnings outcomes: We used College Scorecard data on median earnings after leaving the school, which gives a sense of the economic payoff.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are a direct measure of program quality, but they come from the Alabama Board of Nursing, not federal data sources. We incorporate first-time pass rates from the most recent year available when evaluating programs, because this tells you how well the curriculum prepares students for licensure.
What are the NCLEX-PN pass rates for practical nursing programs in Birmingham, and how do they stack up against Alabama's state average?
According to the Alabama Board of Nursing's approved annual programs report1, several local programs reported strong outcomes for the 2023 exam cycle. These figures reflect the most recent year for which comprehensive pass-rate data has been published at the school level.
Not all programs are listed here; data is drawn from publicly available board reports, and schools with fewer than ten first-time test-takers in a given year may not have separate pass rates published. Students should verify current NCLEX-PN performance directly with each school, as annual figures can shift.
For context, Alabama nursing schools produced 532 first-time NCLEX-PN test-takers in 2023, with 453 passes, yielding a statewide pass rate of 85.2%.2 Every Birmingham-area program mentioned above exceeded that average, often by a wide margin. While a single year's numbers do not capture long-term trends, they provide a snapshot of how each program's recent graduates performed relative to peers across the state.
Pass rates are a practical indicator of how well a program prepares students for licensure. Because passing the NCLEX-PN is required to become a licensed practical nurse in Alabama, consistently high pass rates suggest that a school's curriculum, clinical training, and test-preparation resources align with national exam standards. When comparing programs, prospective students often look at multi-year averages if available, but the 2023 data offers a reliable starting point for evaluating Birmingham-area LPN options.
LPN program admission in Birmingham is built around a common set of requirements that most schools enforce: a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum GPA, a qualifying entrance exam score, and a cleared background check with up-to-date immunizations. The specifics differ between community colleges and private institutions, so treat this as a starting checklist rather than a universal policy.
Every program asks for proof of readiness through standardized testing. Herzing University – Birmingham looks for a TEAS composite score of at least 48, while Bevill State Community College uses the ACT with a composite cutoff of 18. Both accept a high school diploma or GED as the base credential. Minimum GPA thresholds also apply; Herzing maintains a 2.00 floor, and similar programs expect at least a “C” average in any completed college coursework.
Clinical rotations require a clean criminal background check and a negative drug screen. Schools order these after conditional admission, and results must be clear of disqualifying offenses. Immunization records are equally firm: you need proof of MMR, varicella, tetanus, hepatitis B series (or a signed waiver), and a recent TB test. A physical exam form signed by a healthcare provider is often part of the packet.
Deadlines vary by school type. Community colleges like Bevill State operate on fixed annual cycles – its most recent window ran from early March to mid-May for a fall start. Private programs often admit students multiple times a year; Herzing’s next LPN cohort begins September 8, 2026, with applications accepted on a rolling basis until slots fill. Always confirm current dates on the program’s website, as they can shift slightly year to year.
Public community college programs tend to follow more rigid prerequisite sequences and demand that general education credits be completed before or alongside nursing courses. Private institutions frequently embed those requirements into the curriculum, shortening the path from application to enrollment. Both models lead to the same NCLEX-PN eligibility, but the upfront prerequisites and flexibility differ noticeably.
Prior healthcare experience is not a standard requirement for Birmingham LPN programs. A few schools may view a CNA license or patient-care hours as a competitive edge, but none lock out applicants who lack it. If you are starting from scratch, you can enter a program directly after meeting the academic and testing benchmarks described above.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse in Birmingham typically takes about 12 months of full-time study, though the exact timeline depends on program structure and individual pace. Most area schools offer a streamlined three-semester certificate or diploma that blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical rotations.
Paying for practical nursing school means balancing the immediate expense against the steady paycheck that follows licensing. The total cost of an LPN program in the Birmingham area typically falls between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on whether you attend a public community college or a private school. Tuition is only part of the picture: factor in uniforms, textbooks, immunizations, and the NCLEX-PN exam fee.
Public LPN programs at institutions like Jefferson State Community College and Lawson State Community College charge in-state tuition set by the Alabama Community College System. Rates adjust each academic year, so check the system’s website directly for the most current figures. Some colleges also offer in-district discounts or payment plans that spread the cost across semesters.
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) can cover tuition, books, and even gas cards for eligible career-changers and displaced workers. Birmingham-area residents should contact the local WIOA office or the Alabama Department of Labor to confirm current eligibility. Because healthcare is a high-demand field, practical nursing often qualifies as an approved training program.
Beyond federal Pell Grants and student loans, many Birmingham LPN schools administer their own workforce development grants. Visit the financial aid page for each program you are considering; Jefferson State and Lawson State both post LPN scholarships and grants and application deadlines. Employer tuition reimbursement may also be available if you already work in a healthcare setting.
The Alabama Board of Nursing and the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES) occasionally list scholarship opportunities for practical nursing students. These awards are often smaller but can close gaps left by other aid. Bookmark the association websites and review eligibility requirements early in your application cycle.
Balancing a full-time LPN role with school is the central challenge for many Birmingham nurses considering the leap to RN. The good news is that several area colleges offer bridge programs designed specifically for working LPNs, blending flexible scheduling with accelerated tracks that recognize your existing experience.
Earning an RN credential significantly expands your scope of practice and earning potential. While exact salary bumps vary by employer and specialty, RNs consistently earn more than LPNs and qualify for a wider range of roles in hospitals and specialty clinics. Each program listed above requires a valid Alabama LPN license and may have prerequisite courses, so contact the school directly for current admission details and to confirm whether they have articulation agreements with regional four-year nursing programs if a BSN is your eventual goal.
Prospective LPN students in Birmingham often have questions about program availability, costs, and career outcomes. Below we answer common queries to help you navigate your options.
