Side-by-side tuition, outcomes, and schedules for Iselin-area practical nursing schools
In a two-mile stretch along Route 1 in Iselin, three state-approved practical nursing programs prepare students for the NCLEX-PN. The proximity of Lincoln Tech, Param Institute, and nearby county college partnerships creates a rare concentration of LPN training in central New Jersey.
But cost gaps are stark: annual tuition can differ by $20,000 between programs, and evening-track schedules add months to completion. Selecting a school means balancing upfront price against first-time NCLEX pass rates and employer-funded tuition reimbursement agreements.
With Middlesex County healthcare employers adding hundreds of nursing support roles annually, graduates who earn their license quickly step into a market where demand consistently outpaces the supply of new LPNs.
We evaluated LPN programs within commuting distance of Iselin, New Jersey, focusing on accreditation, clinical training quality, and student outcomes. The following schools represent top options for practical nursing education, combining rigorous curricula with hands-on experience to prepare you for licensure and employment.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Holy Name Medical Center-Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing | Englewood Cliffs, NJ | $24,000/yr | LPN students pursuing an RN bridge | |
Holy Name Medical Center's Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing offers a 60-week campus-based diploma in practical nursing. The program, approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and ACEN-accredited, combines theory with clinical experiences in long-term and acute care settings. Students earn 17 transferable credits through Saint Peter's University, providing a clear LPN-to-RN pathway.
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| #2 | Best Care College | East Orange, NJ | Career-focused students seeking quick entry | ||
Best Care College provides a 52-week LPN program in East Orange, NJ, with a total cost around $26,346. The curriculum includes 1,500 hours of academic and clinical training, covering fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and specialized areas like pediatrics and geriatrics. Small class sizes and a trimester system support focused learning, and the program boasts an 85% licensure pass rate.
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| #3 | UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ | Cranford, NJ | $8,000/yr (net price) | Budget-conscious local learners | |
UCNJ Union College offers a four-semester Practical Nursing certificate program that blends biological and social sciences with hands-on clinical rotations. The program accommodates day, evening, and weekend clinical schedules, and is pursuing NLN CNEA accreditation. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level nursing roles, with an affordable in-county tuition structure for Union County residents.
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| #4 | Bucks County Community College | Newtown, PA | $6,000/yr (net price) | ||
Bucks County Community College's 12-month full-time Practical Nursing certificate starts each July, running weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and reports NCLEX pass rates consistently above the national average. Financial aid is available, and the program serves as a stepping stone to an associate degree in nursing and RN licensure.
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| #5 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | New York, NY | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | ||
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College offers a five-semester, 46-credit Practical Nursing Certificate. Admission is competitive, requiring prerequisite courses and the HESI A2 exam. The curriculum covers parent-child, medical-surgical, mental health, and gerontology nursing, with clinical experience beginning in the first semester.
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| #6 | CUNY LaGuardia Community College | Long Island City, NY | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | ||
CUNY LaGuardia Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is a 10-month, 48-credit program approved by the New York State Education Department. Designed for adult learners, it emphasizes health teaching and restorative care in chronic and acute settings. The program enrolls once per year in the fall, fostering a cohort-based learning environment.
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| #7 | Jersey College | Teterboro, NJ | $53,000/yr | ||
Jersey College's Teterboro campus offers a flexible LPN diploma program lasting 12 to 18 months, with New Jersey Board of Nursing accreditation. The holistic curriculum spans adult, maternal, newborn, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing, supported by over 14,000 alumni. Evening classes, clinical partnerships, and an LPN to RN Bridge option provide pathways for working adults.
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Sticker prices for LPN programs around Iselin can range from about $6,000 to over $28,000 per year, but the net price most students actually pay is often much lower after grants and scholarships. Below is a comparison of the average annual net price at six area schools, based on institution-wide averages, your actual cost will depend on your financial situation. For those who borrow, median graduate debt among reporting schools falls between $12,000 and $23,251, which would mean monthly payments of roughly $120 to $240 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Additional funding, like WIOA grants or New Jersey workforce aid, can further reduce out-of-pocket expenses for those who qualify.
What prerequisites and entrance exams do you need for LPN programs in Iselin? The answer varies by school, but both Param Institute and Lincoln Tech Iselin share core requirements. Understanding the specifics early helps you gather documents and avoid last-minute surprises.
Both programs require a high school diploma or GED, standard LPN education requirements1. Param Institute adds an interview to assess readiness2, while Lincoln Tech may include an information session. Plan to provide official transcripts and proof of graduation.
- Param Institute: Applicants must take the ATI TEAS exam1. No minimum score is published, so a strong overall application helps. - Lincoln Tech Iselin: The school may require a proprietary entrance exam or the HESI. Since public details are limited, contact admissions directly for the current testing policy. Neither program lists a GPA cutoff, but competitive candidates often demonstrate solid academic preparation.
Both schools mandate a criminal background check3 and up-to-date immunization records for clinical placements. Typical vaccines include MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, and a TB test. CPR certification may also be needed; confirm with your chosen program.
While specific Pell Grant recipient rates for these schools aren’t publicly available, looking at other New Jersey LPN programs gives a helpful benchmark. Across reported data, the share of students receiving Pell Grants ranges from roughly 58% to over 85%, signaling broad eligibility for need-based aid. Submit the FAFSA as early as possible to maximize your aid package.
Day versus evening tracks, full-time versus part-time paths: how you schedule your LPN training can impact both the length of your program and your ability to maintain income while studying.
Lincoln Tech’s Iselin campus offers three distinct schedule tracks for its Practical Nursing program, each with a fixed length tied to the pace of instruction. The day track is the fastest, clocking in at approximately 12 months, followed by the afternoon track at around 16 months and the evening track at 24 months. All tracks cover the same 1,500 total hours, including required clinical rotations1. Part-time enrollment is not available; every student commits to a full-time schedule within their chosen track1.
Realistically, the day and afternoon tracks leave limited room for outside employment because classes and clinicals occupy much of the daytime. The evening track, however, stretches the program over two years, which can open up a window for a day job or other responsibilities. Students often find that the 24-month evening track is the most manageable if they need to work part-time, although the overall pace is less intense. No track is designated “part-time,” so even the evening option demands a consistent weekly commitment1.
While Lincoln Tech provides a clear, multi-track framework, other schools, such as Param Institute, may offer different structures. Specifics on Param Institute’s program duration, class schedules, and whether part-time study is an option are not publicly detailed. Prospective students should contact the school directly to get the most current information on their LPN program format and any flexibility they may offer. When comparing options, always ask about the weekly hour load and clinical placement logistics to gauge how well a program fits your schedule.
NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates are a direct measure of how well a practical nursing program prepares students for licensure. Nationally, in 2025, 86.6% of candidates passed on their first attempt; the overall pass rate, including repeat testers, was 77.3%.1 New Jersey’s most recent statewide average, from 2018, was 81%, with 1,648 test-takers that year.2 These figures provide context for evaluating individual programs.
Lincoln Tech’s Iselin campus and Param Institute of Health Sciences both report pass rates through the New Jersey Board of Nursing’s quarterly reports.3 Because pass rates can shift from one testing cycle to the next, prospective students should request the most recent Q1 2026 data directly from the board or school admissions.3 A program that exceeds the state average generally signals strong curriculum alignment with the NCLEX-PN.
Program-level earnings and employment data are not yet published in federal datasets for these LPN programs, making direct comparisons difficult. However, strong licensure pass rates are a reliable early indicator: graduates who pass the NCLEX-PN quickly are better positioned to enter the workforce and start earning. While outcome data is limited, choosing a program with a documented track record of first-time pass success can improve your chances of timely employment and a stable income as an LPN. The next section explores typical LPN salaries in the Iselin area.
How much do licensed practical nurses earn in Iselin, NJ, and what does the job market look like? Salaries for LPNs in the Iselin area, part of Middlesex County and the broader Edison-New Brunswick metro division, tend to reflect New Jersey’s strong healthcare wages. Statewide, LPNs earn a mean annual wage of $74,600, or about $35.86 per hour, which is well above the national median of $62,340 per year. While metro-specific breakdowns aren’t yet available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing employers throughout central New Jersey typically offer competitive pay to attract LPNs, often matching or exceeding the state average.
For broader context, BLS data shows that nationwide, LPN wages ranged from $40,490 at the 10th percentile to $72,650 at the 90th percentile in 2022, with half earning between $47,800 and $62,110. These figures suggest that even entry-level LPNs in New Jersey can expect to start above the national midpoint.
Job prospects look promising. Nationally, the BLS projects steady demand for licensed practical nurses, fueled by an aging population and increased need for long-term care. Locally, major healthcare systems, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies in Middlesex and surrounding counties actively recruit LPNs. The region’s dense network of hospitals and extended-care centers creates a reliable pipeline of job openings, making the outlook for new graduates strong.
Choosing an LPN program in Iselin raises practical questions about cost, time commitment, and career prospects. To help you navigate your options, we’ve gathered straightforward answers based on publicly available school data and state nursing board reports.
