Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and schedules at accredited Fort Lauderdale LPN schools
The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metro area employs over 11,000 licensed practical nurses, one of the largest concentrations in the U.S. That demand is projected to grow as South Florida's senior population expands and hospitals and skilled nursing facilities add beds. Seven accredited LPN programs serving the Fort Lauderdale region differ meaningfully in tuition, NCLEX-PN pass rates, and student outcomes. For many prospective nurses, the practical choice comes down to weighing the lower cost of a public technical college against the shorter, fixed-schedule programs offered by private career schools.
Our ranking spotlights the top LPN programs accessible to Fort Lauderdale students, drawing from schools within a broad radius that offer strong outcomes and value. You'll find a mix of public technical colleges and private career schools, with one South Florida-based program standing out for its local clinical partnerships. Each entry includes key details on program length, costs, and licensure exam preparation.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology | Miami, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | South Florida commuters seeking local clinicals | |
FVI School of Nursing and Technology in Miami offers a 14-month practical nursing program with a strong South Florida focus, actively recruiting students from Broward and Palm Beach counties. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with simulation labs and local clinical partnerships, giving students hands-on experience and job placement connections throughout the Miami-Fort Lauderdale region. With ACEN and COE accreditation, personalized tutoring, and financial aid options, it's a practical choice for those aiming to enter the nursing workforce quickly within the local market.
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| #2 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | Accelerated learners at a private university | |
Jacksonville University delivers a 12-month practical nurse program on its main campus in Jacksonville, emphasizing intensive simulation training at the Healthcare Simulation Center. The program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN, though it is not currently accepting applications. As a private university, it offers a traditional campus experience with a low student-faculty ratio, and institutional data show strong long-term graduate earnings.
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| #3 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | $1,000/yr (net price) | Rural Panhandle learners prioritizing job placement | |
Chipola College in Marianna offers a three-semester practical nursing program with a reported 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement within 12 months of graduation. The 1,350-clock-hour curriculum includes clinical rotations two days per week, often in the evenings or weekends, and the college provides state-funded tuition assistance for eligible Florida residents. Admission requires TABE testing, a drug screen, and a background check.
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| #4 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | ||
Gulf Coast State College in Panama City provides a 45-week Practical Nurse Certificate with selective admission and small class sizes. The program combines 1,350 hours of training with a 90% graduate recommendation rate, low in-state tuition, and preparation for the NCLEX-PN. It is offered at the Gulf/Franklin Campus in Port St. Joe and serves primarily Bay and Gulf County residents.
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| #5 | North Florida College | Madison, FL | $1,000/yr | ||
North Florida College in Madison offers an ACEN-accredited practical nursing program that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN. The program starts each August, with applications accepted from March through June, and emphasizes hands-on training alongside a strong foundation in patient care. With a small campus setting and very low net price for in-state students, it's an affordable option for those willing to relocate to North Florida.
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| #6 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Florida Gateway College in Lake City features a 12-month practical nursing certificate with NCLEX-PN pass rates above state and national averages. Admission requires TABE and TEAS exams, a background check, and drug screening, with a total program cost around $7,319. The curriculum includes 45 credit hours and 1,350 clock hours of clinical experiences, and the program starts each spring term.
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| #7 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | $4,000/yr | ||
Pensacola State College offers a three-term practical nursing career certificate (1,350 clock hours) accredited by ACEN. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and includes clinical experiences in hospitals and labs, with a pathway to advance into the ADN program at the same college. Admission is competitive, requiring the HESI A2 exam, background check, and drug screening.
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Choosing an LPN program involves weighing upfront cost against long-term career prospects. We evaluate programs on factors such as net price, institution-wide graduation rates, median debt, and post-graduation earnings. Graduation rates are sourced from the College Scorecard and cover the entire college, not just the nursing program, giving you a sense of the school's overall track record. Median earnings and debt data also come from federal databases. Additionally, we only consider schools within a 75-mile radius of Fort Lauderdale, which includes options throughout Broward County and neighboring communities. NCLEX-PN pass rate data from the Florida Board of Nursing helps confirm a program's effectiveness in preparing students for licensure.
Because practical nursing programs are often short, it's important to examine outcomes that indicate whether graduates secure employment and can manage loan repayment. We do not assign arbitrary weights or hidden criteria; each factor is transparently reported so you can apply your own priorities when comparing programs. By focusing on these objective measures, the ranking highlights schools that strike a balance between cost and quality.
Public technical colleges in the Fort Lauderdale area offer substantial savings, with in-state tuition ranging from about $2,361 to $3,120. After financial aid, net prices can drop as low as $804 at some public schools, while a high share of students, often above 90%, qualify for Pell Grants. To cover costs, students should complete the FAFSA, apply for Pell Grants, and explore school-specific payment plans.
Some students prefer a fast, full-time day program that lets them finish in as little as 12 months, while others need evening or weekend classes to balance work and family.
Most schools require a high school diploma or GED, and they also set lpn education requirements such as a passing score on the TEAS or HESI entrance exam, a criminal background check, drug screening, and up-to-date immunizations. CPR certification is often needed before clinical rotations begin. For example, Atlantic Technical College lists a minimum age of 16 and requires either the TEAS or HESI, along with a background check and drug test.1 Individual programs may set additional prerequisites, so always review the latest application packet.
The process typically starts with submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any institutional financial aid forms. Next, you'll take the required entrance exam if you haven't already. Most programs then ask you to attend a mandatory orientation before the enrollment window opens. Atlantic Technical College uses a rolling, first-qualified-first-admitted system with multiple start dates throughout the year: August, October, January, April, and July.1 Sheridan Technical College also reports open enrollment.2 Because seats fill quickly, apply as early as possible once the window opens.
Florida's Board of Nursing requires LPN programs to include at least 1,350 clock hours of instruction. In the Fort Lauderdale area, most programs are designed to be completed in 12 to 18 months depending on the schedule and credit load. Atlantic Technical College and Sheridan Technical College both list their practical nursing programs as 12 months long,12 with Atlantic specifically noting 1,350 hours.1 Full-time day students can often finish in a year, while part-time evening or weekend tracks may extend closer to 18 months.
Day programs like Atlantic Technical College's (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.) let students immerse themselves fully and finish fastest.1 If you need to work during the day, check whether any program offers an evening or weekend cohort. Some private schools in the region may provide this flexibility, though public options are often daytime only. A few programs may incorporate online didactic coursework in a hybrid format; however, Florida regulations require all clinical hours to be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities. Always verify the latest schedule options directly with the school, since availability can change from year to year.
Since not every program publicly shares its admission test cutoffs or scheduling variants, contacting admissions offices remains the best way to get a complete picture.
The NCLEX-PN pass rate measures how many first-time test takers from a program successfully earn their license. It’s one of the clearest indicators of how well a school prepares students for the realities of practical nursing.
Fort Lauderdale-area LPN programs report strong outcomes:
For context, Florida’s statewide first-time NCLEX-PN average was 78.56% during that same period.3 Each of these schools outperforms the state benchmark by a wide margin, signaling consistent instructional quality and rigorous exam preparation.
Program-level median earnings and employment share data for these specific schools are not yet publicly available. However, the wider picture is encouraging. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach metro area shows LPNs earn wages that reflect the region’s strong healthcare demand. While exact figures vary by experience and employer, the metro area consistently ranks among the higher-paying markets for practical nurses in Florida.
Graduates who pass the NCLEX-PN can expect a range of employment settings: skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living centers, and physician offices are all active local employers. Many schools also maintain career placement relationships that help new nurses land their first job quickly.
Comparing a school’s pass rate to the state average gives prospective students a reliable gauge of program effectiveness. A rate above 90% puts a program in the top tier statewide. All three Fort Lauderdale schools listed here fall into that category, which can make a real difference when competing for nursing positions in a competitive metro market.
An LPN license provides a faster entry into nursing while you pursue additional credentials. In Broward County, several schools offer LPN-to-RN bridge programs that can shorten the path to becoming a registered nurse. Here's a typical career ladder with approximate timeframes.
Find answers to common questions about LPN programs, costs, and career paths in Fort Lauderdale. The details below address key concerns for prospective practical nursing students.
Choosing the right LPN program means balancing cost, NCLEX-PN pass rates, and schedule fit. Public technical colleges in the Fort Lauderdale area can offer net prices as low as $804 after aid, while pass rates directly measure how well a school’s curriculum aligns with licensure demands. For those planning to advance, several area schools also offer LPN-to-RN bridge programs that streamline the path to an associate’s degree.
Contact admission offices directly to confirm upcoming start dates, class formats, and current financial aid opportunities. Enrollment windows can shift; speaking with a counselor ensures you have the latest details before applying.
