Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, program length, and outcomes for every Jacksonville-area LPN school.
Jacksonville’s hospital systems and long-term care facilities are adding beds faster than they can fill shifts, keeping demand for Licensed Practical Nurses elevated. Yet program formats differ sharply: full-time campus-based tracks can lead to a license in 11, 12 months, while part-time evening and weekend options extend to 16, 18 months, allowing students to work.
Public technical colleges and private career schools set widely varying tuition rates, and NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates range from the mid-80s to near 100 percent. In a hiring landscape that values prompt entry but also expects solid clinical judgment, the trade-off between speed and preparation depth carries real economic weight.
The Jacksonville area offers several pathways to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse, ranging from accelerated certificate programs to those with direct employment pipelines. Below, we profile top LPN programs in and around Jacksonville, highlighting key features like NCLEX preparation, clinical training hours, and financial aid options.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | Jacksonville locals with Baptist Health job pipeline | |
Jacksonville University's Practical Nurse program is a 12-month, campus-based pathway developed in partnership with Baptist Health to meet Northeast Florida's nursing workforce needs. The curriculum combines 45 hours in the Healthcare Simulation Center with 585 hours of clinical practice at local healthcare facilities, and graduates who pass the NCLEX-PN are eligible for a work-promise agreement with Baptist Health. This military-friendly program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
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| #2 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | $1,000/yr (net price) | Florida residents qualifying for state tuition aid | |
Chipola College in Marianna offers a three-semester Practical Nursing certificate with 1,350 clock hours of training, including clinical rotations two days per week. The program reports a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement within 12 months for recent graduates. Florida residents may qualify for state-funded tuition assistance.
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| #3 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | Panhandle residents seeking fast 45-week LPN | |
Gulf Coast State College's Practical Nurse Certificate is a 45-week program on the Gulf/Franklin Campus in Port St. Joe, combining 1,350 hours of classroom and clinical training. Small class sizes and personalized instruction support a high graduate recommendation rate. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and careers in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings.
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| #4 | North Florida College | Madison, FL | $1,000/yr | ||
North Florida College in Madison offers a campus-based Practical Nursing program accredited by ACEN. The program starts each August and emphasizes hands-on training to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN. Admission is competitive, with applications accepted from March to June.
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| #5 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology | Miami, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | ||
FVI School of Nursing and Technology in Miami provides a 14-month Practical Nursing program that blends classroom learning with hands-on clinical practice. Students receive NCLEX-PN preparation, access to simulation labs, and personalized tutoring. The program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN and COE.
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| #6 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Florida Gateway College's Practical Nursing, O.C. is a 12-month certificate program with a curriculum of 45 credit hours and 1,350 clock hours. It boasts NCLEX-PN pass rates above state and national averages and includes hands-on clinical experiences that may involve evening or weekend shifts. Admission requires TABE and TEAS exams, and the total estimated cost is approximately $7,319.
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| #7 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | $4,000/yr | ||
Pensacola State College offers a 1,350-hour Practical Nursing career certificate accredited by ACEN. The program combines classroom learning with clinical experiences in local hospitals and labs, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam. It also serves as a pathway into the Associate Degree in Nursing at the same college.
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The following table ranks Jacksonville-area LPN programs by net price, the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships. Net price reflects institution-wide data, so your actual cost for an LPN program may vary. Public colleges often offer the lowest out-of-pocket expenses, and many students rely on Pell Grants (where indicated) and other aid to cover tuition.
| School | Net Price (After Aid) | Tuition (In-State) | Tuition (Out-of-State) | Pell Grant Recipients | Median Graduate Debt | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Florida College | $804 | $2,994 | $11,460 | N/A | N/A | Public |
| Chipola College | $1,133 | $3,120 | $8,950 | N/A | N/A | Public |
| Pensacola State College | $3,957 | $2,361 | $9,463 | 91.5% | $7,500 | Public |
| Gulf Coast State College | $4,709 | $2,370 | $8,635 | 87.8% | $7,147 | Public |
| Florida Gateway College | $5,364 | $3,100 | $11,747 | 93.1% | $6,992 | Public |
| Jacksonville University | $25,180 | $48,150 | $48,150 | 53.1% | $22,000 | Private Non-Profit |
| FVI School of Nursing and Technology | $35,514 | N/A | N/A | 90.6% | $9,396 | Private For-Profit |
Admission requirements for Jacksonville LPN programs are not uniform, and tracking them down demands direct contact with each school you’re considering.
Visit the nursing program admissions pages for Jersey College Jacksonville, Coastal Career Academy, Fortis Institute Jacksonville, Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), and Helping Hearts School of Nursing. Details like entrance exams, TEAS, HESI, or TABE, and application deadlines change often. For example, FSCJ currently requires the HESI A2 and sets its deadline at May 15. Coastal Career Academy, meanwhile, requires a background check as part of its admission process. Always assume that the information you need lives on the school’s own site, not a third-party aggregator.
Websites don’t always show the latest minimum GPA, exam score cutoffs, or prerequisite courses. A phone call or email to the admissions office is the fastest way to get the current picture. Ask directly about TEAS, HESI, or TABE score thresholds, any required pre-nursing coursework, and application windows. Some schools in the region, such as First Coast Technical College, use the CASAS Reading exam with a minimum score of 249, a detail you’d likely miss without reaching out. Don’t hesitate to ask about upcoming information sessions or application workshops too.
Make sure the LPN program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). This ensures the curriculum meets state standards and that your education will count toward licensure. Also confirm whether the school requires a background check or drug screening as part of enrollment, as Coastal Career Academy does.
For general career overviews and the typical prerequisites across LPN programs, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) and the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN). These sources offer unbiased, high-level information that can help you understand the landscape before you dive into school-specific requirements.
Major Jacksonville employers like Baptist Health, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, UF Health Jacksonville, and Ascension St. Vincent's hire LPNs. Jacksonville-specific wage data is not yet published, but national figures offer a benchmark for LPN earnings and demand.
Newly licensed LPNs in Jacksonville typically start below the median wage reported for all LPNs, but the short program length and low debt make the career pathway financially attractive. Program-level earnings data for specific Jacksonville schools are not yet reported by the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, but national patterns offer a clear picture.
The BLS median annual wage for LPNs encompasses all experience levels. Nationally, that figure hovers near $60,000, while new graduates often earn 15 to 25 percent less during their first year. As they gain experience and pursue additional certifications, their pay rises toward the median and beyond. In Florida, entry-level LPN wages typically align with the lower quartile of the state’s LPN earnings distribution.
Because most LPN training occurs at public community or technical colleges, tuition is modest. Graduates frequently carry less than $10,000 in federal student loans, translating to monthly payments under $100 on a standard plan. Even at entry-level wages, the debt-to-income ratio remains favorable, and many employers offer tuition reimbursement for online LPN to RN programs. This combination of low upfront cost and steady demand makes the ROI compelling for Jacksonville students.
The push to increase the share of baccalaureate-prepared nurses has made LPN-to-RN bridge programs more popular than ever, offering a streamlined path to registered nursing without repeating foundational coursework.
Bridge programs recognize your existing clinical experience and LPN education, reducing the time needed to earn an ADN or BSN. Typically, you complete the program in 12 to 24 months, depending on the school and your enrollment status. Many Jacksonville-area colleges offer flexible schedules, including evening, weekend, and hybrid formats, so you can continue working while studying.
Several institutions in and around Jacksonville provide LPN-to-ASN bridge options:
Additional accelerated options within a reasonable drive include North Florida College (12-month LPN to RN Accelerated Bridge Track) and Florida Gateway College (three-semester LPN-RN Bridge).
Most programs require a current, unencumbered Florida LPN license. Some, like FSCJ and North Florida College, mandate work experience (six months to one year). Entrance exams such as the TEAS or HESI are common, and all clinical placements necessitate a background check and drug screening. Hybrid and on-campus formats are most prevalent; St. Johns River State’s hybrid model is particularly suited to working students.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for LPNs in Florida was $54,270 in 2024, while registered nurses earned $79,910, a nearly 50% increase that makes the bridge investment pay off quickly. In the Jacksonville metro area, this gap holds true, with RNs consistently commanding higher salaries across hospitals, clinics, and specialty settings.
Got questions about LPN programs in Jacksonville? Here are concise answers to the most common inquiries, covering everything from program length and cost to exam requirements and salary expectations.
