Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and admissions requirements for Columbia-area practical nursing programs.
South Carolina’s median LPN wage is $59,050, and healthcare employers across the Midlands are adding practical nursing positions as the region’s senior population grows.
Seven accredited programs in the Columbia area, from public technical colleges to a private fast-track institute, prepare students for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level roles.
With sticker prices ranging from $4,800 to over $20,000, the financial commitment varies widely, and pass rates indicate which programs deliver the strongest licensure exam preparation.
These seven accredited practical nursing programs serve students in and around Columbia, South Carolina, with options ranging from public technical colleges to a private fast-track institute. Rankings consider cost, completion speed, and student outcomes to help you find the best fit for your LPN education.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | $6,000/yr | Locals wanting a low-cost LPN start | |
Central Carolina Technical College's practical nursing diploma is one of the region's most affordable, with a net price of just $5,571 after aid. Graduates leave with minimal debt (median $9,977) and can seamlessly transition into the school's Associate Degree in Nursing pathway. The program serves students from Sumter and surrounding counties, with in-district tuition rates making it an exceptional value for local residents.
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| #2 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | Coastal Carolina residents wanting local clinicals | |
Horry-Georgetown Technical College offers a PN diploma with strong ACEN accreditation and clinical rotations along the Grand Strand. Its net price of $4,159 keeps costs low, though median graduate debt reaches $14,250. The institution's 37.8% graduation rate (college-wide) reflects a supportive environment for students who complete their programs.
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| #3 | Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree, SC | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | Rural learners pursuing a quick 40-week diploma | |
Williamsburg Technical College's 40-week diploma program is an accelerated path to LPN licensure, ideal for rural learners. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, students benefit from close mentorship in a small-college setting. While the net price of $9,887 is higher than some public options, the fast completion time and personal attention can be decisive factors.
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| #4 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
York Technical College's practical nursing program provides high value with a net price of $5,931 and a median graduate debt of just $7,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,257 per year, placing the program among the stronger earners on this list. The college-wide graduation rate of 30.2% reflects a varied student body, and the program's location at the Chester Center serves several Upstate counties.
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| #5 | Northeastern Technical College | Cheraw, SC | $7,000/yr (net price) | ||
Northeastern Technical College's practical nursing diploma combines affordability (net price $6,913) with a focused curriculum that can be completed in two semesters and a summer term. The institution's 21.4% graduation rate is relatively low, but the program maintains competitive admissions and a clear LPN-to-ADN bridge pathway. Median earnings for graduates are $32,141.
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| #6 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | ||
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College boasts a 100% job placement rate and 94% licensure pass rate for its practical nursing graduates, per program marketing. The net price of $6,186 and median graduate debt of $10,562 represent solid financial value, and the institution-wide graduation rate of 32.3% is moderate. The program offers both traditional and FLEX models with fall and spring start dates.
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| #7 | Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach | Myrtle Beach, SC | $26,000/yr (net price) | ||
Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach provides a private, fast-track practical nursing program that can be completed in as few as 12 months full-time. While the net price of $25,662 and median debt of $24,166 are significantly higher than public options, graduates report the highest median earnings on this list at $61,480. The college's retention rate of 65% suggests a supportive environment, though institution-wide graduation data is not published.
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How do we decide which LPN programs in Columbia make the top of the list? Our ranking is built on a set of institution-level metrics that weigh affordability, student success, and long-term value. Because program-specific data aren't publicly available for most schools, these numbers serve as proxies for the kind of learning environment and return on investment a school offers.
All four numbers come from the same federal data source, and we combine them into a composite score that highlights affordable LPN programs where students pay less, earn more, graduate on time, and borrow less.
We also factor in the overall graduation rate for each school. This rate covers all students and programs, not just LPN ones. Even so, a high graduation rate often correlates with strong advising, career services, and classroom resources, resources that are likely to benefit nursing students as well. If a college consistently helps students finish what they start, it's a promising sign.
You won't find NCLEX pass rates or admissions requirements baked into the ranking. Those numbers are reported by state nursing boards, not our primary data set, so we treat them as separate information. On this page, you'll find them discussed under 'NCLEX-PN Pass Rates & Student Outcomes' and 'Admissions Requirements' so you can evaluate them alongside the ranking.
The cost of practical nursing programs in the Columbia metro area can look very different depending on whether you compare a school's published tuition or its actual net price. Sticker prices for the seven featured programs range from $4,800 to $16,364 per year, with private institutions at the higher end. However, net price (the amount students really pay after grants and scholarships) drops the range to $4,159-$25,662, and for public colleges the difference is often dramatic. At many public two-year colleges, students pay thousands less than the listed tuition, while private programs like Galen Health Institutes-Myrtle Beach still show a gap but enroll a significant share of aid-eligible students. The grouped bars below put each school’s in-state tuition side by side with its average net price so you can see the true cost comparison at a glance.
Admissions to practical nursing programs sets the stage for your LPN career, and each school in the Columbia area follows its own process. While core requirements overlap, specific prerequisites, entrance exams, and application steps can differ significantly between Fortis College, ECPI University, and Midlands Technical College.
Most programs start with a high school diploma or GED and a minimum age of 18. Many ask for prerequisite courses in math, biology, and English, often with a minimum GPA. Standardized entrance exams like the TEAS or HESI are widespread, but the required score and testing policies vary by campus.
Fortis College’s Practical Nursing program (2025–2026) simplifies entry with a personal interview and an information sheet, rather than a formal exam. You need a high school diploma or GED, and if you’re a certified nursing assistant with at least 40 hours of practice in the last two months, you may receive transfer credit. This direct approach rewards applicants with hands-on experience.
ECPI University and Midlands Technical College set their own criteria, which may include stricter GPA benchmarks, multiple prerequisite courses, or specific TEAS score thresholds. Since program length in months and total credit hours can change by cohort, reach out to each school’s admissions office directly via phone or email for the most current information. The South Carolina Board of Nursing provides licensing standards that all programs must meet, giving you a helpful baseline as you compare options.
Choosing an lpn program often means balancing NCLEX readiness against real-world earnings potential. Pass rates tell you how well a school prepares students for the licensing exam, but job placement and income data reveal what happens after graduation.
In Columbia, Midlands Technical College’s Practical Nursing program stands out with a 2023 first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate of 96.2%1, the highest among local programs. That far exceeds the South Carolina LPN average of 94.6%1 and the state’s required minimum of 90%2.
Program-level earnings outcomes for Columbia LPN schools are not yet available from federal data sources. However, the South Carolina Board of Nursing tracks exam performance closely, and Midlands Tech’s graduates consistently perform well above state benchmarks. Because Midlands Tech’s program is consistently above state averages, graduates likely enter the job market with a competitive edge. For context on what LPNs earn in the Columbia metro, check the lpn salary breakdown later in this article.
If you’re looking for the Columbia program with the highest proven NCLEX-PN pass rate, Midlands Technical College is the clear leader.
Can you complete an LPN program online in Columbia?
While LPN training inherently requires hands-on clinical practice, some schools offer hybrid flexibility that blends online coursework with in-person labs. In the Columbia area, Fortis College stands out with a hybrid delivery mode1 for its Practical Nursing Diploma, allowing students to complete portions of their didactic learning online. Most other programs, including Midlands Technical College2 and ECPI University3, remain primarily campus-based with scheduled daytime classes.
Regardless of program delivery, LPN programs in South Carolina require students to complete clinical rotations on-site at approved healthcare facilities. These supervised hours are essential for mastering patient care skills and meeting state licensure requirements. Evening or weekend clinical placements may be available, but they depend on each school’s partnerships and scheduling.
Program lengths vary. Accelerated options like ECPI University’s Practical Nursing Diploma can be finished in about 60 weeks of full-time study.3 Many public technical colleges follow a traditional semester-based schedule that typically spans 12, 18 months. Always confirm the duration and schedule format directly with the program, especially if you need evenings or weekends.
The movement toward stackable nursing credentials has turned LPN to RN bridge programs into a mainstream advancement tool. In Columbia, the most established option is Midlands Technical College's LPN to ADN Transition, which allows licensed practical nurses to earn an associate degree in three semesters after prerequisites. Admission requires a current South Carolina LPN license, completed general education credits, and a TEAS exam score. Early application is recommended because seats fill quickly.
For LPN to BSN, the University of South Carolina's College of Nursing typically guides students toward its RN to BSN completion program after an initial LPN to ADN step. Columbia College has previously offered a direct LPN to BSN, but program status can change. A call or email to the nursing department provides up-to-the-minute details on bridge availability and transfer credits.
To find additional approved programs, check the South Carolina Board of Nursing website, which maintains a public list of accredited schools, and explore south carolina nursing schools. National organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National League for Nursing also offer search tools for transition programs. These resources, combined with direct outreach to colleges, give you the full picture of bridge options in the Columbia metro area.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a national median annual wage of $62,340 for LPNs, with 3% job growth projected from 2024 to 2034. South Carolina's median wage is $59,050. For detailed Columbia-area salary data, visit the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics page and filter by geographic area.
Prospective LPN students in Columbia often have questions about program timelines, costs, and admissions. Below are clear answers to common inquiries, drawn from local program data and South Carolina nursing board requirements.
