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 list highlights accredited practical nursing programs that residents of Orange Park, Florida, can reasonably commute to. Each program is evaluated on factors like cost, length, and student outcomes to help you find the right fit. While program-level earnings are not yet available, the institutional data provided offer useful comparisons.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Johns River State College | Palatka, FL | $6,000/yr | Commuting students in Clay County | |
St. Johns River State College offers a practical nursing program with classes held at both its Orange Park and Palatka campuses, making it highly accessible for Clay County residents. The program runs Monday through Thursday during daytime hours, and students complete clinicals at facilities across the tri-county area. With a reported 100% licensure pass rate and two annual start dates, it provides a structured, reliable entry into nursing.
| |||||
| #2 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL | $0 – $5,000/yr | Those wanting an LPN-to-RN bridge | |
Florida State College at Jacksonville's practical nursing program is a full-time, 1,350-clock-hour certificate that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN. The college reports a 94% NCLEX-PN pass rate and offers a bridge pathway to its associate degree in nursing for career mobility. With three start dates each year and clinical experiences at Jacksonville-area healthcare settings, it suits students who want a direct route to LPN licensure with a clear advancement track.
| |||||
| #3 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Cost-conscious learners | |
Florida Gateway College's practical nursing certificate is a 12-month, 45-credit program with a notably low total tuition of around $3,820. The program emphasizes a low student-to-faculty ratio and hands-on clinical training at sites such as long-term care and correctional facilities. Its reported 100% licensure pass rate and focused curriculum make it a strong value for cost-conscious students.
| |||||
| #4 | Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
Santa Fe College's practical nursing certificate blends 1,350 contact hours of classroom and clinical training, with clinical rotations at major Gainesville hospitals including Shands at UF. The program reports strong median earnings for its graduates and welcomes military-affiliated students with dedicated benefits support. Its balanced curriculum and employer partnerships position graduates well for immediate employment.
| |||||
| #5 | Galen Health Institutes-Gainesville | Gainesville, FL | $30,000/yr | ||
Galen Health Institutes-Gainesville offers a practical/vocational nursing program designed for quick entry with four start dates annually and a streamlined admissions process that includes a free application. The program features on-campus clinical learning labs and dedicated academic support. It is a private institution, which may lead to higher costs, but its accelerated structure suits students who value flexibility and personalized guidance.
| |||||
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.
