Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, schedules, and outcomes for practical nursing programs serving Orange Park students.
Florida’s aging population continues to drive demand for licensed practical nurses, with the Jacksonville metro area (just north of Orange Park) supporting one of the state’s largest healthcare workforces. Multiple accredited programs are within commuting range, including several best LPN programs in Florida, from community colleges to private career schools, each with distinct timelines, costs, and clinical placements. The region’s LPNs earned a median $29 per hour in 2026, but that wage hinges on program quality: NCLEX-PN pass rates directly reflect instructional rigor. For Clay County residents, verifying a program’s graduate outcomes is the first essential step.
The following accredited LPN programs serve the Orange Park area and are ranked using institutional quality, cost, and student outcomes. While Jacksonville University sits just a short drive away, several other North Florida colleges offer strong practical nursing certificates within a wider radius. Program availability is subject to change, so confirm admissions status directly with each school.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | Fast-paced training with lifelike simulations | |
JU's 12-month practical nurse certificate blends classroom instruction with intensive training in the Healthcare Simulation Center. The program is Florida Board of Nursing approved and prepares you for the NCLEX-PN, though enrollment is currently paused. Institution-wide, graduates see median earnings of $68,010 a decade after entry, and typical debt stands at $22,000. Program-level earnings are not yet available.
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| #2 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Proven NCLEX results on an affordable path | |
This 12-month certificate program in Lake City stands out for NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates that exceed state and national averages. Admission requires TABE and TEAS exams, and the curriculum packs 45 credit hours and 1,350 clock hours of clinical experience. The public college reports median graduate debt of $6,992 and 10-year median earnings of $37,894 across all programs; program-specific salary data is not yet published.
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| #3 | North Florida College | Madison, FL | $1,000/yr | Extremely affordable path to LPN licensure | |
North Florida's practical nursing program provides ACEN-accredited training with an August start and an application window from March through June. The Madison campus delivers hands-on preparation for the NCLEX-PN, and the college-wide net price is just $804, making it one of the most affordable options in Florida. Institution-wide median alumni earnings reach $33,929 after 10 years, but program-level figures are not reported.
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| #4 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | $1,000/yr (net price) | ||
Chipola's three-semester, 1,350-hour practical nursing program reports a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and full job placement within a year for recent graduates. Based in Marianna, the program is ACEN-candidate status and offers state-funded tuition assistance for eligible residents. College-wide median earnings after 10 years are $37,378, though earnings specific to the LPN program are not available.
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| #5 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | ||
This 45-week Practical Nurse Certificate at the Gulf/Franklin Campus in Port St. Joe features selective admission, small class sizes, and low tuition. The 1,350-hour curriculum emphasizes medical-surgical nursing, and 90% of graduates recommend the program. Across the college, the median debt for graduates is $7,147 and median 10-year earnings are $38,359, but LPN-program-specific earnings have not been published.
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| #6 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology | Miami, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | ||
FVI's 14-month practical nursing program in Miami pairs classroom learning with hands-on clinicals and NCLEX preparation, bolstered by skills labs and experienced faculty. Financial aid is available, and the school reports a high institution-wide graduation rate of 89.3% and median debt of $9,396. Earnings data for the LPN program specifically are not yet available.
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| #7 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | $4,000/yr | ||
Pensacola State's 1,350-clock-hour practical nursing certificate is ACEN accredited and includes clinical experiences in local hospitals. Graduates can sit for the NCLEX-PN and have the option to bridge into the college's ADN program. The college reports a median debt of $7,500 and median 10-year earnings of $36,739 institution-wide, though program-level salary data is missing.
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Full-time day programs can have you ready for the NCLEX-PN in as little as 12 months, while hybrid and part-time options allow more flexibility but typically extend the timeline to 18 months or longer. Understanding these tracks helps you choose the best fit for your schedule and career goals.
Most LPN programs in Florida require around 1,350 clock hours and take 12 to 15 months of full-time study. St. Johns River State College’s Orange Park campus offers a concentrated 12-month program with daytime, in-person classes. Students complete the curriculum in three consecutive semesters, starting each January. The application window is September 1–30 annually, so planning ahead makes a difference.
Hybrid programs blend online didactic coursework with in-person clinical rotations, giving you added scheduling flexibility. Fortis College’s Orange Park location offers an 18-month practical nursing program in a hybrid format, with a spring cohort starting on April 6th each year. This longer timeline can be ideal if you need to balance school with work or family commitments.
While not all schools advertise evening or weekend tracks, many area programs understand the need for flexible learning. Always confirm the current schedule and format directly with admissions, as offerings can change.
Sticker price is only part of the story. The net price, what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, gives a truer picture of affordability. Below, in-state tuition sits next to the average net price for each program; note that net price is an institution-wide figure and your own aid package will depend on FAFSA results, Pell eligibility, state grants, and workforce development funding.
Pass rates are a key indicator of program quality. The table below shows available statewide and national NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates for 2024. Program-specific outcome data from the Florida Board of Nursing for the most recent reporting period has not yet been published, so direct inquiry with individual schools and their accrediting agencies is recommended for the latest results.
| Entity | NCLEX-PN First-Time Pass Rate (2024) |
|---|---|
| Florida (statewide) | 80.8% |
| United States (national) | 88.4% |
What exactly do I need to apply to an LPN program near Orange Park, FL?
While specifics vary by school, most practical nursing programs in the area share a core set of LPN prerequisites.
Because seats are limited and timelines are strict, start gathering your documents early and double-check each program’s website for the most current deadlines.
The salary outlook for licensed practical nurses in the Orange Park area reflects broader trends across the Jacksonville metropolitan area, where LPNs earned a median hourly wage of $29 as of 2026. This figure translates to roughly $60,320 annually for a full-time schedule1, though actual earnings will vary by employer, shift differentials, and years of experience.
For geographic context, the Florida statewide median hourly wage for LPNs was $25.85 in 2022, with a corresponding annual median of $53,780.2 While that older statewide figure sits below the local Jacksonville rate, LPN wages have generally increased since then. Nationally, the median hourly wage for LPNs reached $29.97 in 2024, or $62,340 per year, indicating that the Orange Park area is competitive with national norms.3
On a national level, employment of licensed practical nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, adding about 19,800 positions to reach a total of 671,200 jobs.3 That modest growth, combined with the need to replace workers who leave the field, will generate an estimated 54,400 job openings each year.3 In the Jacksonville area, which includes Orange Park, demand is driven by aging population trends and steady healthcare employment.
Most LPNs in the region work in long-term care facilities, skilled nursing centers, home health agencies, physicians’ offices, and hospitals. These employers value the hands-on patient care LPNs provide, and new graduates often find opportunities in extended-care settings that serve older adults. While the job market can fluctuate, practical nursing remains a stable entry point into the healthcare workforce, with opportunities to advance through LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
Some LPNs choose to start working immediately after licensure, building experience before pursuing their RN. Others prefer to bridge directly into an associate or bachelor’s degree program while their clinical skills are still fresh, often shortening the overall timeline.
Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) offers a dedicated LPN-to-RN bridge through its A.S. in Nursing program. The 72-credit curriculum awards up to 10 articulated credits for holding an active Florida LPN license and at least six months of work experience, reducing the program length to about 24 months of full-time study. Admission is limited-access and requires passing the HESI A2 exam, along with completed prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, math, English, and microbiology.
Additional bridge pathways may be available at nearby institutions like St. Johns River State College; prospective students should confirm program availability and LPN credit-transfer policies directly.
Bridging from LPN to RN creates a clear advancement path that raises earning potential well above the LPN median and opens doors to supervisory roles, specialty certifications, and further education. Many RN programs also accept general education and science credits earned during LPN training, letting you enter with significant progress already in hand.
Choosing an LPN program involves many practical questions. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries from prospective students in Orange Park, Florida, to help you plan your nursing education.
