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.
Our list highlights LPN programs within commuting distance of Jacksonville that combine strong NCLEX performance, hands-on clinical training, and reasonable tuition. Whether you're in downtown Jacksonville or a nearby county, these schools offer practical pathways to nursing licensure. All programs are accredited and prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN exam.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | $0 – $5,000/yr | Jacksonville residents seeking local clinicals | |
As Jacksonville's own public college, FSCJ offers a practical nursing certificate with strong NCLEX pass rates (94%) and an affordable tuition. The program includes clinical rotations in local hospitals and physician offices. A bridge pathway to the RN program provides career advancement opportunities.
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| #2 | Saint Johns River State College | Palatka, FL | $6,000/yr | Learners prioritizing high NCLEX success | |
With campuses in Orange Park and Palatka, this public college offers a practical nursing program boasting a 100% licensure pass rate. On-campus classes run Monday through Thursday, and clinical rotations take place in the tri-county area. It provides a focused, cohort-based training.
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| #3 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Cost-sensitive students near Lake City | |
Located in Lake City, this public college offers a highly affordable practical nursing certificate with a 100% licensure pass rate. The 12-month, 45-credit program enrolls a small cohort each spring, emphasizing hands-on learning in a low student-to-faculty environment.
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| #4 | Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
In Gainesville, Santa Fe College's 12-month practical nursing certificate combines 50% classroom and 50% clinical instruction, with rotations at major hospitals like Shands at UF. It has a strong record of NCLEX-PN success and offers scholarships and military support.
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| #5 | Daytona College | Ormond Beach, FL | $29,000/yr | ||
A private college in Ormond Beach, Daytona College's 75-week practical nursing diploma provides thorough preparation for the NCLEX-PN. The program includes hands-on clinical experiences and financial aid, catering to career changers seeking a longer, comprehensive training.
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| #6 | Galen Health Institutes-Gainesville | Gainesville, FL | $30,000/yr | ||
Galen's Gainesville campus offers a 12-month practical/vocational nursing program with four start dates annually, making it flexible for working adults. The program features modern clinical labs, personalized academic support, and a no-fee application.
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| #7 | Coastal Pines Technical College | Waycross, GA | $0 – $5,000/yr | ||
Located in Waycross, GA, within commuting distance of Jacksonville, this technical college offers two practical nursing certificate tracks: a 3-semester option (PN21) and a longer 57-credit option (PN12) for those with a prior healthcare assistant certificate. Both include competitive admissions and TEAS requirements.
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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.
For nursing schools in Orange Park FL, 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.
