Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and program lengths for practical nursing schools near Brooklyn Park.
Brooklyn Park sits minutes from North Memorial Health Hospital and a short drive from the Minneapolis–St. Paul healthcare corridor, where hospitals and long-term care facilities employed roughly 6,400 LPNs in 2026. Experienced nurses in the metro can earn above $75,000 per year, drawing many to the profession.
Seven accredited LPN programs lie within commuting distance, but they differ in cost, length, and NCLEX-PN pass rates, a figure that ranged from 60% to 85% for recent cohorts. Navigating these differences matters, because program choice directly affects how quickly you sit for the exam and start earning a paycheck.
For aspiring LPNs in Brooklyn Park, choosing the right program means balancing location, cost, and outcomes. We evaluated nursing schools within a 75-mile radius and beyond, highlighting those with proven NCLEX pass rates, flexible formats, and strong career support. The seven institutions below represent top Minnesota practical nursing options for 2026.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rasmussen University-Minnesota | St. Cloud, MN | $18,000/yr | Brooklyn Park learners seeking hybrid flexibility | |
Rasmussen University operates a dedicated Brooklyn Park/Maple Grove campus site, making it the most convenient choice for local students. Its Practical Nursing Diploma is ACEN accredited and follows a hybrid format that blends online coursework with hands-on clinical rotations across metro healthcare settings. The program can be finished in as few as 12 months, requires no prerequisites, and includes support like the LPN Care Grant. At the institutional level, the school reports a 54% graduation rate and a median net price of $17,962; graduates typically carry about $20,899 in debt but see median 10-year earnings of $39,080.
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| #2 | Northwest Technical College | Bemidji, MN | $11,000/yr | Rural students using advanced simulation labs | |
Northwest Technical College in Bemidji prepares students for entry-level LPN roles through a hybrid program combining online lectures and on-campus labs. With state-of-the-art simulation facilities and supervised clinical experiences, students build real-world nursing skills. The institution reports a median net price of $10,996 and a 50% graduation rate; median debt after graduation is $15,000, while median 10-year earnings reach $42,930. ACEN accreditation and seamless credit transfer to Bemidji State University provide a clear path to further nursing education.
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| #3 | Pine Technical & Community College | Pine City, MN | $13,000/yr (net price) | Students wanting guaranteed job placement | |
Pine Technical & Community College offers a campus-based Practical Nursing diploma that consistently delivers a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement. Admission requires a TEAS exam score and current Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry certification. The college’s net price is $12,798, with a graduation rate of 35.8% and median graduate debt of $14,392; median 10-year earnings stand at $41,232. Graduates can also pursue an AD-Mobility RN program at the same institution.
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| #4 | Alexandria Technical & Community College | Alexandria, MN | $14,000/yr (net price) | ||
Alexandria Technical & Community College’s campus-based Practical Nursing diploma emphasizes flexibility with fall and spring start dates. The program holds NLN CNEA accreditation, reports a 92% NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (2025), and a 100% job placement rate. Institution-wide, the graduation rate is 60% and the net price is $13,691; graduates leave with a median debt of $12,000 and go on to earn $49,393 in median 10-year earnings, the highest in this ranking.
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| #5 | Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College | Cloquet, MN | $13,000/yr (net price) | ||
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet provides a campus-based Practical Nursing diploma focused on foundational nursing skills and hands-on training. The institution serves a diverse student body, with a net price of $12,677 and a graduation rate of 25.7%. Median graduate debt is $14,181, while median 10-year earnings are $45,665. This program meets state requirements and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.
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| #6 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | Granite Falls, MN | $11,000/yr | ||
Minnesota West Community and Technical College delivers a hybrid Practical Nursing program that combines online coursework with in-person clinicals in southwest Minnesota. ACEN-accredited, the program boasts above-state-average NCLEX pass rates and can be completed in three semesters. The net price is $11,191 and the graduation rate is 51.5%; graduates carry a median debt of $10,987 and earn a median of $45,285 at the 10-year mark. A direct ladder into the Associate Nursing Degree is available.
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| #7 | Riverland Community College | Austin, MN | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Riverland Community College’s Practical Nursing Program offers two flexible tracks: a full-time day option (two semesters) and a part-time evening option (three semesters) designed for working adults. ACEN-accredited, the hybrid program includes 39 credits of in-person courses, lab simulations, and clinical rotations at multiple partner facilities. With a net price of $7,427, it is the most affordable school in this group; the graduation rate is 52.1%, median debt is $12,000, and median 10-year earnings are $45,247. Scholarship support and seamless transfer pathways to A.S. Nursing programs further strengthen this choice.
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Selecting the right LPN program comes down to four concrete numbers: your true net cost after grants and scholarships, the program’s recent NCLEX-PN pass rates, the total length of training, and whether the class and clinical schedule can work around your job or family commitments. Published net price figures are institution-wide averages; your own out-of-pocket expense will depend on the financial aid package you actually receive, so always use the college’s net price calculator and speak with a financial aid counselor.
At Hennepin Technical College’s Brooklyn Park campus, the practical nursing program runs as a full-time cohort of about 48 students, with a single fall intake and a two‑semester curriculum.1 The college does not offer a separate evening‑only, weekend, or part‑time track, but clinical rotations can be scheduled in mornings, evenings, or on weekends once the semester begins.1 Because the exact clinical sites are not publicly listed1, contact the program directly and ask where recent rotations have taken place; you’ll want to know if the commute from Brooklyn Park is manageable before you commit.
Program length is straightforward: most practical nursing programs near Brooklyn Park, including Hennepin Tech’s, can be completed in two semesters.1 Finally, NCLEX‑PN pass rates reveal how well a program prepares its graduates for the licensing exam; we take a closer look at those numbers in the pass‑rate section of this guide.
The sticker price of an LPN program is only part of the picture. Many students reduce their costs significantly through federal Pell Grants, at the schools listed, Pell recipient shares range from about 59% to 83%. The Minnesota State Grant, WIOA workforce funding, and employer tuition reimbursement can further lower what you actually pay. Community and technical colleges remain the most affordable path overall.
In 2022, Hennepin Technical College reported a first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate of 60.47%, while Anoka Technical College’s graduates achieved 84.44%.1 These are the most recent program-specific figures published by the Minnesota Board of Nursing, so multi-year trends are still developing. For context, the statewide first-time pass rate for LPN programs in Minnesota was 83.73% in 20231, and the national average reached 86.6% in 20252. Anoka Technical College sits just below both benchmarks, whereas Hennepin's rate is notably lower.
When evaluating programs, a first-time pass rate consistently above 85% is a strong indicator that a curriculum prepares students well for the licensing exam. A program that repeatedly falls below 75% warrants caution, as it may point to gaps in instruction or student support. A drop below 75% in multiple years may indicate systemic issues, such as outdated curriculum or insufficient lab practice, that could delay your entry into the workforce. On the other hand, a program that maintains pass rates above 90% often reflects robust faculty support and up-to-date simulations. A single year's data should be considered alongside other quality clues like graduation rates, clinical placement records, and student feedback. Prospective students should treat the 2022 rates as a starting point and watch for updated data releases, which typically occur annually. For the most current pass rate information, check the Minnesota Board of Nursing's annual reports, which publish updated figures each cycle.
Becoming an LPN in Brooklyn Park follows a clear path from prerequisites to licensure. Most diploma programs can be completed in 12 to 18 months, but prerequisite coursework adds time. Here is a typical timeline.
According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington metro area employed approximately 6,400 licensed practical nurses as of 2026. Annual wages for LPNs in this region ranged from the 25th percentile at $58,960 to the 75th percentile at $65,990, with a median of $62,310 and a mean of $63,970. Major employers such as Allina Health, Fairview Health Services, North Memorial Health, and a variety of long-term care facilities in the northwest metro contribute to steady demand for practical nurses.
| Wage Metric | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile | $58,960 |
| Median | $62,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $63,970 |
For LPNs in Brooklyn Park, the fastest route to an RN license runs through a credit-saving bridge program that can be completed in as little as two to three semesters. These programs give experienced LPNs credit for prior nursing coursework, shortening the path to an ADN or BSN.
North Hennepin Community College, located right in Brooklyn Park, offers an LPN-to-ADN bridge2 that lets you transition directly into the second year of its associate degree nursing program. A short drive away, Anoka-Ramsey Community College's Coon Rapids campus provides a similar accelerated option2. Across the metro, Minneapolis College runs an Advanced Standing LPN-to-RN track requiring an ATI TEAS entrance exam, a grade of B or better in composition and anatomy, and a C in previous PN courses. Applications are due April 1 for fall and September 1 for spring start3. Other area choices include M State's LPN-to-ADN Bridge (which begins with a 2-credit Role Transition course before joining the ADN second year)4, Ridgewater College's 6-month LPN-to-RN option with a 2.5 GPA minimum5, and Herzing University's LPN-to-BSN Bridge for those aiming directly for a bachelor's degree6. Most LPN-to-ADN pathways add just two to three semesters beyond the LPN diploma; after completion you sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Before you can apply to a bridge program, you must first meet the lpn education requirements and hold an active Minnesota LPN license. The initial licensure process follows a clear sequence:
Minnesota LPN licenses renew every two years2. As of 2025, 2026, Minnesota is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so your license is valid only within the state2; if you plan to work elsewhere, you will need to apply for licensure by endorsement in the new state. When you later complete a bridge program and pass the NCLEX-RN, you follow a similar application process with the Board of Nursing to upgrade to an RN license2.
Prospective LPN students in Brooklyn Park often have practical questions about admissions, program length, and balancing work with school. Below are answers to common queries, informed by institutional data and regional trends.
