Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and schedules for Norfolk-area practical nursing programs
How much should an LPN program near Norfolk cost, and which schools deliver strong NCLEX-PN pass rates? Norfolk's healthcare infrastructure (Sentara, the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, and military retiree communities) creates steady demand, but not all programs prepare graduates equally.
Net prices range from roughly $4,100 to over $35,000 per year. First-time NCLEX pass rates range from below the state average to near-perfect. That gap can mean extra exam attempts, lost wages, or avoidable debt.
Employers in Hampton Roads consistently value clinical readiness and licensure success over institutional prestige. The programs ranked here earn their spot through outcomes, not marketing.
The following programs represent the top accredited LPN options within a 45-mile radius of Norfolk, Virginia. Each entry is evaluated on institutional metrics including graduation rates, net price, and student outcomes. Our rankings highlight programs that combine quality training with strong regional employment opportunities.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | $23,000/yr (net price) | Military families using VA education benefits | |
ECPI University offers an accelerated 15-month Practical Nursing diploma at its Virginia Beach campus, designed for students ready to enter the workforce quickly. The program integrates hands-on labs, clinical experiences, and NCLEX-PN preparation, with a military-friendly focus that serves Hampton Roads' large active-duty and veteran community. With no extra prerequisites and rolling admissions, it provides a straightforward pathway to LPN licensure and a strong earning potential.
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| #2 | Paul D Camp Community College | Franklin, VA | $5,000 – $11,000/yr | Budget-conscious students targeting regional demand | |
Paul D. Camp Community College's Certificate in Practical Nursing is a selective, three-semester program that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and immediate employment. The curriculum covers nursing concepts across the lifespan, ethics, and clinical skills, with a projected 266 new LPN jobs annually in the Hampton Roads region. As a local community college, it offers one of the most affordable pathways, with a low net price and strong employment outcomes.
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| #3 | Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA | $12,000/yr | First-time students seeking a Virginia Beach cohort | |
Tidewater Community College's Practical Nursing Education Certificate is a rigorous, cohort-based program offered at the Virginia Beach Campus. Starting each spring, the 45-credit curriculum combines classroom learning with clinical experiences, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-PN. With Virginia Board of Nursing approval and structured progression, it's a solid choice for students seeking a local, public-option education.
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| #4 | College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC | ~$2,000/yr (est.) | ||
College of the Albemarle's Practical Nursing diploma blends classroom instruction with clinical training, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN and careers in various healthcare settings. The program requires TEAS for admission and offers an LPN-to-ADN advancement pathway for those looking to continue their education. Located just across the state line, it provides a low-cost option with multiple campus locations in North Carolina.
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| #5 | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach, VA | $12,000/yr | ||
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach offers an ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing Diploma that can be completed in just 12 months. The on-campus program requires no application fee and includes internship opportunities, with the ability to transfer credits into an associate RN program later. Its hands-on curriculum and Virginia Board of Nursing approval make it a practical choice for career changers in the Virginia Beach area.
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| #6 | Fortis College-Norfolk | Norfolk, VA | $25,000/yr | ||
Fortis College in Norfolk provides a hybrid Practical Nursing program that blends online learning with on-campus labs and clinical experiences. A notable feature is the CNA-to-LPN transfer credit option for experienced nursing assistants, plus dedicated career services support. The program prepares students for NCLEX-PN and offers financial aid advising to help manage costs.
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Net price, a key factor in our ranking, is the average annual cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time undergraduates. We combine this metric with institution-wide graduation rates, median student debt, return-on-investment (ROI) ratios, and early-career earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. The factors are:
We draw only on public data from IPEDS and College Scorecard, and we consider every practical nursing program within a 75-mile radius of Norfolk that reports sufficient data. Because graduation rates and net price are institution-wide averages, they are useful signals but not program-specific promises. Our ranking does not assess clinical placement rates, NCLEX pass rates, faculty quality, or campus culture. Use it as a foundation for your research, not the final word.
The sticker price of a practical nursing program is only part of the story. Net price, what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, ranges dramatically across Norfolk-area schools, from just over $4,000 to more than $35,000 per year. Keep in mind that these figures are institution-wide averages; your actual cost will depend on your financial aid eligibility and personal expenses.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are the most transparent indicator of a practical nursing program's quality, and Norfolk-area students can access this data through several official channels. Knowing where to look helps you compare programs like Central School of Practical Nursing, Fortis College Norfolk, and Tidewater Community College consistently.
The growing demand for flexible nursing education has not yet reshaped program schedules in the Norfolk area. Most approved LPN programs still run on traditional daytime timetables, though a few hints of hybrid delivery are emerging. Students who need evening or weekend classes should plan carefully and verify any schedule claims before applying.
Central School of Practical Nursing and Tidewater Community College both follow full-time day formats. Central School operates Level I instruction every other day from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., then shifts to a Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. schedule in Level II. Tidewater runs a three-semester daytime program starting each spring. Neither offers an evening or weekend track.
Fortis College Norfolk describes its practical nursing program as hybrid, with some online coursework, but does not publish a specific evening or weekend class schedule. Clinical rotations there are in-person at local healthcare facilities, regardless of delivery mode.
A full-time LPN program in Norfolk typically takes about 12 to 18 months. Central School spans 18 months split into two nine-month levels. Tidewater completes within three semesters. Part-time or evening tracks, when offered elsewhere, often extend to 16 to 18 months, but no Norfolk-area school currently advertises a dedicated part-time option. Fortis’ hybrid model may offer some scheduling flexibility, though the clinical component remains fixed.
Admissions timelines and course formats can shift from term to term. Always contact each program’s admissions office directly to confirm current class schedules, clinical hour requirements, and whether any evening or weekend sections are in pilot. A phone call can save months of misaligned planning.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical nurses across the country earned a median annual wage of $59,730 in 2023, which translates to $28.72 per hour. Wages span a wide range: the lowest 10% earned below $45,670, while the top 10% exceeded $77,870. While 2023 MSA-level data for the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News area is not detailed in this publication, state-level figures from the BLS indicate that Virginia LPNs tend to earn slightly above the national median, and the Norfolk metro’s concentration of major healthcare employers often pushes salaries toward the upper end of the scale. Program-level earnings from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard are not yet available for Norfolk-area LPN programs, but graduates can expect to start near the lower percentiles and quickly advance with experience.
Nationally, employment of LPNs is projected to grow 3% through 2034, resulting in about 54,000 annual openings when retirements and turnover are included. In Norfolk, demand stays strong thanks to a cluster of major healthcare facilities:
These employers and the area’s nursing homes and home health agencies create a steady pipeline of job opportunities for new LPN graduates.
The financial equation for Norfolk LPN students is favorable. Many practical nursing programs carry low tuition and fees, and median debt at area schools is often well below $10,000. For instance, Germanna Community College reports a median debt of $8,400, Wytheville Community College’s is $7,500, and Piedmont Virginia Community College’s is $8,750. Even the higher-priced ECPI University shows median debt of $20,000. With an annual salary benchmark of $59,730, graduates from the most affordable programs can recover their educational investment within months. This strong return on investment makes LPN training an accessible path to a stable healthcare career in Norfolk.
Find answers to common questions about practical nursing programs in the Norfolk area, from bridge pathways to licensure resources.
