Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, admissions, and outcomes for local practical nursing schools
Sentara Healthcare and Riverside Health System anchor a Hampton Roads job market that listed over 400 open LPN positions in Newport News as of 2026. Yet the city lacks a campus-based practical nursing program, so applicants depend on seven schools within a 75-mile radius.
Those diploma and certificate programs vary sharply in cost, NCLEX first-time pass rates, and clinical placement quality.
The real challenge isn’t just finding a convenient schedule; it’s identifying a program whose exam preparation will help you pass the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt and move directly into one of those open jobs.
The Hampton Roads region offers several pathways to LPN licensure, but direct local options in Newport News are limited. This ranking evaluates programs within a 75-mile radius based on cost, outcomes, and format to help you find the best fit.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | $23,000/yr (net price) | Local Newport News campus students | |
ECPI University operates a dedicated Newport News campus offering a 15-month Practical Nursing diploma, making it the only program physically located in the city. The accelerated, campus-based curriculum combines hands-on labs with clinical rotations and NCLEX-PN preparation, and it welcomes military-connected students. Institutional net price is $22,965, median graduate debt is $20,000, and median earnings ten years after entry stand at $42,837.
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| #2 | Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville, VA | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | Hybrid learners seeking affordable tuition | |
Piedmont Virginia Community College’s hybrid Practical Nursing certificate blends online coursework with in-person clinicals within 50 miles of its Charlottesville campus. The 37-credit curriculum includes over 400 clinical hours, and recent cohorts achieved a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate. Many students qualify for free tuition through Virginia’s G3 program; net price is $5,963, median graduate debt is $8,750, and median ten-year earnings reach $40,752.
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| #3 | Rappahannock Community College | Glenns, VA | $0 – $5,000/yr | Traditional campus students valuing high placement | |
Rappahannock Community College’s Practical Nursing Certificate boasts a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement rate in recent years. Offered at the Glenns and Warsaw campuses, this three-semester, campus-based program starts each January and requires the Kaplan Entrance Exam. With a net price of $4,343 and median ten-year earnings of $36,121, it delivers strong return on a modest investment, though program-level debt data is unavailable.
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| #4 | Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | Falls Church, VA | $36,000/yr | ||
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing in Falls Church offers a hybrid Practical Nursing program that can be completed in 14 months full-time or 18 months part-time. The program blends online theory with in-person labs and clinicals, and no entrance exam is required. With a net price of $35,726 and median graduate debt of $14,750, it is the most expensive option in this list, though its 66.2% institution-wide graduation rate leads the group. Program-specific earnings data are not yet available.
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| #5 | Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | $5,000 – $11,000/yr | ||
Wytheville Community College’s five-semester Practical Nursing program meets at the Crossroads Institute in Galax, combining classroom instruction with clinical experiences. Admission requires high school biology and algebra with a grade of C or better, along with background and drug screenings. The program reports an 88% NCLEX-PN pass rate, a net price of $4,622, median graduate debt of $7,500, and median ten-year earnings of $34,303.
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| #6 | Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville, VA | $4,000/yr (net price) | ||
Patrick & Henry Community College’s three-semester Practical Nursing Certificate is known for a perfect first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over the past four years. The cohort-based, campus program in Martinsville requires the ATI TEAS exam and a mandatory information session. Net price is $4,102, the lowest in this ranking, though median graduate debt and program-level earnings are not reported; median ten-year institution-wide earnings are $33,323.
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| #7 | Germanna Community College | Locust Grove, VA | $5,000 – $12,000/yr | ||
Germanna Community College’s one-year Practical Nursing Certificate is an accelerated, campus-based pathway located in Locust Grove. The program estimates a total cost of $6,700, with a net price of $5,541 and median graduate debt of $8,400. While program-level NCLEX pass rates are not publicly reported, institution-wide median ten-year earnings are $39,644.
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The net price you actually pay after grants and scholarships can vary widely across LPN programs. These figures represent the average institution-wide net price for full-time, first-time degree-seeking students, not a guaranteed program-specific quote. For schools with reported median debt, amounts range from $7,500 to $20,000, translating to an estimated monthly payment of roughly $75 to $200 on a standard 10-year repayment plan.
What do I need to get into an LPN program in Newport News? The answer varies by school, but most programs in the area require a high school diploma or GED, a qualifying score on the TEAS entrance exam, and a minimum GPA. Many also require prerequisite courses, background checks, drug screenings, and CPR certification.
When comparing schools, remember that any published admission rate, such as ECPI’s 74.5%, reflects the entire institution, not the nursing program. Nursing cohorts are often smaller and more competitive. Always verify current requirements directly with each program, as criteria can change.
Some LPN programs in Newport News produce nearly flawless first-time NCLEX-PN performance, while others consistently lag behind state and national averages. That gap matters when your license and career hang on a single exam.
The most recent reporting year (2025) places national first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates around 86 to 87%.1 Virginia’s average sits in a similar range, typically between 86 to 88%.2 While the statewide picture looks steady, school-level outcomes in the Newport News area can swing widely, from near-perfect to noticeably below the state benchmark.
A high pass rate signals more than just strong test prep. It reflects how well a program’s curriculum aligns with the NCLEX-PN blueprint, the quality of clinical rotations, and the effectiveness of remediation support. Conversely, a program that habitually falls below the state average may indicate curriculum gaps or inadequate student support. Employers in the Hampton Roads healthcare market pay attention to these numbers, often preferring graduates of schools with consistent, high pass-rate histories.
The Virginia Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates for every approved practical nursing program in the state. Before enrolling, pull the most recent report to compare local schools side by side. Look for multi-year trends, a single down year may be an anomaly, but a pattern of sub-85% results deserves caution.
Practical nursing programs in the Newport News area vary in length, but most fall between 12 and 18 months depending on whether you choose a full-time accelerated track or a part-time pathway.
Accelerated programs can be completed in as few as 11 to 12 months, while standard full-time options usually take about 14 to 15 months. For example, ECPI University’s Newport News campus structures its practical nursing diploma as a 15-month program, with a maximum completion window of 90 weeks if a student proceeds at a slower pace. Standard Healthcare Services–College of Nursing in Falls Church, within traveling distance for some students, offers both a 14-month full-time and an 18-month part-time option. Virginia LPN programs generally range from 12 to 18 months, so you have room to choose a pace that fits your life.
Many LPN students need to balance classes with jobs or family obligations. Programs that cater to this offer day, evening, or weekend sections. Standard College, for instance, provides day, evening, and weekend scheduling, while other area schools commonly offer day and evening options. Not every Newport News program specifies its schedule publicly, so check with each school’s admissions office to confirm current offerings.
Even when a program describes itself as hybrid or partially online, all LPN training requires in-person clinical rotations. These hands-on hours take place in hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities and cannot be substituted with virtual simulations. Didactic coursework, like anatomy, pharmacology, or nursing theory, may be delivered online at some schools, but the clinical component is always on-site.
No, you cannot earn an LPN license through a fully online program in Virginia. State regulations mandate supervised clinical experience, and every approved practical nursing program includes mandatory in-person clinicals. What you will find are hybrid programs that blend online lectures with campus-based labs and clinicals, such as the hybrid format at Standard College, but a 100% remote pathway does not exist.
Licensed practical nurses in Newport News are part of a competitive job market anchored by Sentara Healthcare, Riverside Health System, and federal veterans' hospitals. As of 2026, there are over 400 active LPN job postings in the city alone, and another 300 across Hampton Roads. The region's strong employer base helps support wages that exceed typical state and national medians.
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile | $55,790 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $62,130 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,490 |
Selecting an LPN program in Newport News means weighing immediate cost and schedule against the quality of clinical training and future career steps. A program that looks affordable on paper may leave you less prepared for the NCLEX-PN or limit your job prospects; conversely, the most intensive program may not be the best fit for your life right now. Use the framework below to narrow your choices.
Your first filter must be accreditation status. Verify that the program holds approval from the Virginia Board of Nursing or national accreditation through ACEN. Without this, you cannot sit for the NCLEX-PN or obtain licensure. It is a non-negotiable requirement. You can confirm a program's status via the Virginia Board of Nursing website or by asking the admissions office directly.
The cost comparison table earlier in this article shows net prices after typical financial aid, which gives a more realistic picture than advertised tuition. A program with a higher list price may actually cost you less out of pocket if it offers stronger institutional grants or scholarships. Contact each school's financial aid office to estimate your net cost based on your FAFSA data. Also factor in fees for uniforms, books, and the NCLEX exam, which can add several hundred dollars.
Where you train often determines where you work. Ask each school about its clinical rotation sites and whether it has formal partnerships with major local employers like acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics in the Newport News area. A program that rotates students through multiple sites broadens your exposure and can lead to job offers. If possible, talk to current students or recent graduates about their clinical experiences: poorly organized rotations can delay graduation and leave skill gaps.
If you intend to become an RN later, prioritize programs that have articulation agreements with LPN-to-RN bridge programs, particularly those at community colleges in Hampton Roads. Some Newport News schools offer advanced placement or dual-enrollment options that save time and money. Even if you plan to work as an LPN for years, choosing a school that supports further education keeps your options open.
For more flexible scheduling options, accredited online LPN programs offer part-time and evening formats you won't find locally. This can be useful if you are willing to commute or relocate.
Below are answers to the most common questions about practical nursing programs in Newport News, from NCLEX-PN performance to tuition, program length, and career outlook. These insights draw from the data presented above to help you make an informed decision.
