Best LPN Programs in Cuyahoga Falls, OH (2026 Guide)

Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, program length, and schedule flexibility for nearby LPN schools

By Maria Delgado, RNReviewed by TopNursing.org TeamUpdated August 14, 202612 min read
Best LPN Programs in Cuyahoga Falls, OH (2026 Guide)

Points of interest…

  • Fortis Institute Cuyahoga Falls reports a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate for its LPN graduates.
  • Full-time LPN programs in the area can be completed in about 12 months, ideal for fast entry.
  • LPNs in Summit County earn slightly below the national average but benefit from a lower cost of living.

LPN programs near Cuyahoga Falls typically take 12 to 18 months, offering a fast-entry nursing pathway in Ohio. Local skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies regularly recruit from area schools.

However, tuition can swing by $10,000 or more, and NCLEX-PN pass rates span 72% to 100%. Scheduling varies from intensive full-time days to part-time evenings and hybrid options for working adults.

Employers in the region often prioritize candidates from programs with consistent licensure success, so your school choice directly shapes your job readiness and speed to a paycheck, especially when considering RN to BSN programs in Ohio.

Best LPN Programs Near Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Below is our curated list of LPN programs within commuting distance of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Each profile highlights the program's format, approximate tuition, and the school's overall graduation rate to help you compare your options. These schools span the greater Akron and northeast Ohio region, offering a range of in-person and hybrid training models.

What we weighed
  • Program length and format
  • Tuition and fees
  • Institutional graduation rates
  • Clinical training opportunities
  • Admissions requirements
Underlying data
RankSchoolLocationNet priceBest for
#1
Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls
Cuyahoga Falls, OH$23,000/yrLocal STNAs seeking advanced LPN placement

Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls is the only campus on this list located right in Cuyahoga Falls, making it the most convenient choice for local residents. Its Practical Nursing program combines online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical experiences in the surrounding area. The school’s overall graduation rate is about 47%, and the program can be completed in as few as 16 months, with transfer credit available for working STNAs.

  • 16-month hybrid program
  • Transfer credit available for STNAs
  • Financial aid available
  • On-campus career services support
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN licensure exam
  • Serves greater Cleveland-Akron metro area

Lorain County Community College offers a one-year technical certificate in Practical Nursing that emphasizes hands-on clinical skills and a strong foundation in patient care. The school’s overall graduation rate is around 31%, and the program includes articulation agreements that can smooth the transition to an RN program later. Small cohorts and dedicated faculty provide a supportive learning environment.

  • 38 total credit hours
  • TEAS entrance exam required
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA required
  • American Heart Association certification needed
  • Credit for prior learning available
  • Articulation agreements for credit transfer
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN

Stark State College in North Canton provides a Practical Nursing certificate with a reputation for being one of the most affordable options in northeast Ohio. The school’s overall graduation rate is about 23%, and its LPN program features both day and evening/weekend tracks at the Akron campus. Simulation labs and clinical placements within a 75-mile radius give students extensive hands-on practice.

  • Lowest tuition in northeast Ohio
  • 46 seats per cohort
  • Flexible day and evening/weekend options
  • Two start dates (fall and spring)
  • Hands-on simulation lab training
  • Classes held at Akron campus
  • Clinical sites within 75 miles
  • TEAS entrance exam required

Bryant & Stratton College-Parma offers a 12-month Practical Nursing diploma that is accredited by ACEN and fully approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing. The school’s overall graduation rate is approximately 19%, and the program includes clinical internships and a curriculum that covers key areas like pharmacology and medical-surgical nursing. Graduates can also apply credits toward the college’s associate degree in nursing for an RN pathway.

  • 12-month diploma program
  • 41 credit hours
  • ACEN accredited
  • $0 application fee
  • On-campus format
  • Clinical internship placements
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Pathway to ADN for RN advancement

Laurel Technical Institute in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, provides a fast-paced 12-month Practical Nursing diploma with a strong emphasis on clinical hours and skills lab training. The school’s overall graduation rate is a notable 73%, and its program includes 670 hours of clinical placements plus 300 hours in a dedicated skills lab. An LPN-to-ADN transition pathway is also built in for those who wish to continue their nursing education.

  • 12-month diploma program
  • 670 clinical hours required
  • 300 hours in on-campus skills lab
  • IV therapy and medication administration training
  • LPN to ADN transition pathway
  • TEAS entrance exam required
  • Minimum 2.0 GPA required
  • Small class sizes

How Much Do LPN Programs in Cuyahoga Falls Cost?

Below compares the cost of LPN programs near Cuyahoga Falls using in-state and out-of-state tuition alongside the average net price after financial aid. Net price is an institution-wide average, so your actual cost may differ based on your specific aid package. Public options like Southern State Community College typically cost much less than private schools, with net prices ranging from $9,674 to over $28,000.

SchoolIn-State TuitionOut-of-State TuitionAverage Net Price
Southern State Community College$5,912$10,818$9,674
Ohio Medical Career CollegeN/AN/A$16,456
Professional Skills Institute$15,884$15,884$20,721
Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls$14,596$14,596$23,374
ATA College-Cincinnati$14,250$14,250$27,055
Fortis College-Columbus$14,935$14,935$27,708
Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati$17,048$17,048$28,785

NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for Local Programs

Reviewing the latest NCLEX-PN pass rates for LPN programs near Cuyahoga Falls helps compare local performance against state and national numbers.

Fortis Institute Cuyahoga Falls Leads with a Perfect Score

The standout performer near Cuyahoga Falls is Fortis Institute. In 2024, all 17 first-time testers passed the NCLEX-PN, for a 100% first-time pass rate.1 That kind of result is rare and speaks directly to the program’s instruction quality and exam readiness.

What About Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, Stark State, and Tri-C?

Publicly available pass-rate data for Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, Stark State College, and Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) is harder to pin down. Neither the Ohio Board of Nursing annual reports nor national NCLEX summaries isolate their LPN cohorts in the most recent reporting periods. Prospective students should contact these schools directly and ask for their last three years of NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates, a straightforward indicator of how well a program prepares its graduates.

What Makes a Good NCLEX-PN Pass Rate?

For context, nursing programs in Ohio see first-time pass rates between 85% and 87% (2026 data),2 while the national average is 83.4% as of 2025.2 A program that consistently posts rates above 80% is considered solid. Anything above 90% puts a school in the top tier. And a record like Fortis’s perfect 100% (even on a smaller testing cohort) signals a program where the entire instructional arc, from clinical hours to test-prep modules, is aligned with licensure success.

Program Length and Schedule Flexibility

LPN training paths tend to fall into two camps: accelerated full-time programs that get you to the NCLEX-PN quickly, and stretched-out part-time schedules that let you keep working while you learn.

How Long Each Program Takes

Most practical nursing certificates in northeast Ohio require 11 to 16 months of study. Fortis Institute in Cuyahoga Falls runs a structured 15-month program.1 Nearby public colleges often design their LPN curricula to fit a traditional academic year, though exact lengths can vary by prerequisite completion and term start. Because credit-hour totals and clock-hour requirements are set by the state board, the curriculum itself is fairly consistent; what changes is how schools package those hours into a calendar.

Class Schedules: Day, Evening, and Hybrid

Fortis’s program follows a full-time weekday schedule,1 which works well for students who can dedicate their daytime hours exclusively to coursework. On the other hand, community colleges like Stark State College and Cuyahoga Community College may offer evening or weekend sections designed for working adults, though these options depend on enrollment demand and instructor availability each term. Some programs have begun blending online coursework for theory-based subjects, but lab and clinical components remain firmly in-person. If flexibility is your top priority, call admissions offices and ask specifically about current section times. What was offered last year might not be available in the upcoming term.

Clinical Rotations: What to Expect

Clinicals are the hands-on heart of any LPN program, and they almost always require daytime attendance. Even if you take evening classes, your clinical rotation will likely be scheduled during standard hospital or long-term care facility hours. For example, Fortis’s clinical day is typically an 8- to 12-hour shift once a week.2 Other programs arrange clinicals in blocks, such as several consecutive days or a dedicated preceptorship at the end of the program. Be prepared to arrange child care or adjust your work schedule during clinical weeks, as these hours are non-negotiable.

Picking a Schedule That Fits Your Life

If you can commit to a full-time daytime track, you’ll likely finish faster and enter the workforce sooner. That makes Fortis a solid choice for those who want a direct, predictable route. Working parents or career-changers who need to keep a daytime job should prioritize schools that clearly offer evening or weekend didactic classes, but accept that clinicals may still require occasional daytime blocks. Before enrolling, confirm the total program length, the weekly time commitment, and the exact clinical schedule for the entire program to avoid surprises down the road.

What Do LPNs Earn in the Akron Area?

LPNs in the Cuyahoga Falls area benefit from strong demand, particularly in Summit County hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies. While local salaries are slightly below national norms, the region's lower cost of living can stretch earnings further.

LPN salary figures for Akron MSA and national median, plus 10th and 90th percentile ranges

How to Choose the Right LPN Program

What matters most when picking an LPN program near Cuyahoga Falls: cost, convenience, or the NCLEX pass rate?

Weigh Your Priorities

Think about what you can manage: a shorter program might mean a more intensive schedule, while an evening-track option stretches the timeline but keeps a paycheck. List out tuition, NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates, program length, and admissions prerequisites side by side. Check prerequisites early: some require a CNA credential, CPR certification, or TEAS test, while others admit directly from high school. Rank what matters most for your life right now.

Verify Accreditation and Talk to Insiders

Before you apply, confirm that the program holds full approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing: a simple search on the Board's website avoids costly missteps. Attend an info session or schedule a campus visit to see the simulation lab and talk with instructors. Better yet, ask to be connected with a recent graduate or current student; their unfiltered take on clinical placement support or schedule reality often tells you more than a brochure.

Compare True Value, Not Just Tuition

The sticker price can mislead. Request a net price estimate after subtracting federal, state, and institutional aid: many students find that grants and scholarships drastically change the total. Then consider total time to license: a program that costs $2,000 less but takes six months longer delays your earnings by half a year, which may outweigh the upfront savings.

Frequently Asked Questions About LPN Programs Near Cuyahoga Falls

Navigating the path to becoming an LPN in the Cuyahoga Falls area means asking the right questions about salary, program length, cost, and quality. Below we answer five frequently asked questions with data specific to Ohio and the local region, so you can make an informed decision.

As of 2026, LPNs in Ohio earn a median annual salary near $53,000, with experienced professionals and those in hospital settings often reaching the high $50,000s. Wages in the Cuyahoga Falls area may be slightly higher due to proximity to Akron and Cleveland healthcare hubs.

Most full-time LPN programs near Cuyahoga Falls take 12 to 15 months to complete, including classroom instruction and clinical rotations. Part-time and evening options may extend the timeline to 18 to 24 months, offering flexibility for working students. Programs typically require 45 to 50 credit hours and include supervised clinical experiences at local healthcare facilities.

Admission requirements typically include a high school diploma or GED, a minimum GPA of 2.0 to 2.5, and passing scores on entrance exams like the TEAS. Some programs also require CPR certification, immunizations, a background check, and a drug screening before clinical placements begin.

LPN program costs in Ohio range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on the institution type. Public community colleges often charge $5,000 to $10,000 for in-district students, while private vocational schools may cost $15,000 to $20,000. Additional fees for books and supplies should also be planned for, and financial aid is available.

NCLEX-PN pass rates for LPN programs in the Cuyahoga Falls area typically average between 85% and 95%, often exceeding the national average. Prospective students should verify each program's recent pass rate on the Ohio Board of Nursing website, as stronger pass rates can indicate effective curriculum and student support services.

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