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.
Choosing the right LPN program near Iselin means weighing cost, quality, and career outcomes. The schools listed below represent the strongest options within commuting distance, each approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and designed to prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam. Data on tuition, net price, graduation rates, and graduate earnings from federal sources help you compare them side by side.
| 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-to-RN bridge with university partnership | |
Holy Name Medical Center’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing stands out for its ACEN-accredited practical nursing program and a seamless LPN-to-RN bridge partnership with Saint Peter’s University, offering a diploma plus an AAS degree. The 60-week program combines rigorous theory with hands-on labs and clinicals, and graduates are well-prepared for licensure and careers in diverse settings. Institution-wide data shows a 100% graduation rate, median earnings of $87,408 ten years post-enrollment, and typical debt of $20,000.
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| #2 | Jersey College | Teterboro, NJ | $53,000/yr | Flexible schedules for working students | |
A high-volume LPN pipeline in New Jersey, Jersey College’s Teterboro campus blends academic and clinical training with flexible scheduling options suited to working adults and career-changers. The program is accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and maintains a strong 88% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over recent years. Federal data indicates median graduate earnings of $66,087 and median debt of $21,000, with a net price around $52,558 for private students.
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| #3 | UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ | Cranford, NJ | $8,000/yr (net price) | In-county public education at low cost | |
As a public county college, UCNJ Union College of Union County provides an affordable, four-semester Practical Nursing certificate with in-county tuition advantages for Union County residents. The curriculum integrates biological and social sciences with clinical rotations in day, evening, or weekend formats, and the program is actively pursuing NLN CNEA accreditation. Median graduate earnings are $41,595 against a median debt of $15,091, and the net price for in-state students is just $8,257.
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| #4 | Berkeley College-Woodland Park | Woodland Park, NJ | $27,000/yr | ||
Berkeley College’s Woodland Park campus offers a career-focused Practical Nurse Certificate with both day (60-week) and evening (75-week) tracks, rolling admissions, and small class sizes. Students train in on-site nursing labs and complete off-campus clinicals under RN supervision, preparing for the NCLEX-PN. Institution-wide data shows a 43.7% graduation rate and median earnings of $40,251 with typical debt of $23,251.
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| #5 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester | Sewell, NJ | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Ranked #1 among New Jersey LPN programs by Nursing Schools Almanac in 2024, this public two-semester certificate program starts each fall with a competitive, portfolio-based admission process. Clinical experiences occur within a 90-minute radius, and graduates earn an Academic Certificate eligible for NCLEX-PN testing and licensure. Median earnings reach $41,751 with a low median debt of $12,000.
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| #6 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus | Vineland, NJ | $11,000/yr | ||
This southern New Jersey campus of Rowan College of South Jersey offers the same nationally recognized Practical Nursing certificate as the Gloucester location, with a fall cohort start and a competitive admissions process. Students complete clinical rotations within a 90-minute radius and graduate in one year, ready for the NCLEX-PN. The net price is $10,562, and median debt for graduates is $12,000 with median earnings of $41,751.
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| #7 | Essex County College | Newark, NJ | $4,000/yr (net price) | ||
Located in Newark and accessible to Iselin by transit, Essex County College’s LPN academic certificate spans 49 credits and covers adult health, maternal-child health, and mental health nursing. As a county college, it offers some of the lowest net price in the area at $4,436 for in-state students, and graduates earn a median of $37,230. The program is New Jersey Board of Nursing approved and emphasizes critical thinking and clinical skills.
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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.
