Compare tuition, NCLEX outcomes, and program formats at Orlando-area nursing schools
Orlando added more than 1,800 hospital and outpatient care positions last year alone, much of that demand absorbing newly licensed practical nurses from LPN programs in Florida. For someone entering the field in 2026, that means employers are hiring, but they are also scrutinizing where applicants trained.
Florida uses the LPN designation, identical in scope to the LVN title used in Texas and California, so credentials earned here move cleanly across state lines if you relocate.
Programs vary sharply in net price, completion time, and NCLEX-PN pass rates, and those differences show up on job applications. Orlando hospitals and skilled nursing operators consistently pull new hires from the schools that combine low attrition with strong licensing outcomes, turning program choice into an early career filter.
The following seven LPN programs serve Orlando-area students with a mix of affordable public options and private training schools. Net prices range from under $1,000 to over $35,000, and every program is delivered on campus, combining classroom work with hands-on clinical rotations. Each entry highlights what sets the school apart, from NCLEX pass rates to earnings outcomes and institutional support.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | Students seeking university-affiliated nursing programs | |
Jacksonville University’s Practical Nurse program is housed in the Keigwin School of Nursing and developed in partnership with local Jacksonville health systems, offering 45 hours of clinical experience at partner sites. The 12-month campus certificate serves as a direct pathway into the university’s BSN and advanced nursing degrees. With median graduate earnings of $68,010 a decade after entry and median debt of $22,000, it provides a strong return for those seeking a university-affiliated program.
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| #2 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | $1,000/yr (net price) | Budget-conscious students seeking strong job placement | |
Chipola College offers a three-semester Practical Nursing program with a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement within 12 months. As a Florida College System institution, it provides extremely affordable in-state tuition, with net price around $1,133 and eligibility for state workforce grants. The program includes 1,350 clock hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training at regional partner hospitals in the Panhandle.
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| #3 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | Students wanting small class healthcare training | |
Gulf Coast State College’s 45-week Practical Nurse Certificate program combines low in-state tuition with small class sizes and direct employer connections in the Panhandle. Graduates report median earnings of $38,359 a decade out and median debt of just $7,147. The selective admission program emphasizes hands-on clinical training and has a 90% graduate recommendation rate.
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| #4 | North Florida College | Madison, FL | $1,000/yr | ||
North Florida College’s Practical Nursing program serves a multi-county rural district with a focus on community-based clinical placements. With a net price of just $804, it is among the most affordable options in Florida, and its 59% institution-wide graduation rate reflects a supportive small-college environment. The ACEN-accredited program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and starts each August.
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| #5 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology | Miami, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | ||
FVI School of Nursing and Technology in Miami offers a 14-month Practical Nursing program with a focus on hands-on skills and NCLEX preparation. The private school reports a strong 89% institution-wide graduation rate and median debt of $9,396, though program-level earnings are not yet published. Its South Florida location provides clinical placements in Miami-Dade and Broward facilities, and flexible scheduling options cater to working adults.
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| #6 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Florida Gateway College’s 12-month Practical Nursing certificate boasts NCLEX-PN pass rates above state and national averages. The program requires TABE and TEAS exams and includes 1,350 clock hours of clinical experience. With a net price of $5,364 and median graduate debt under $7,000, it offers strong affordability and a solid earnings path for Florida residents.
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| #7 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | $4,000/yr | ||
Pensacola State College’s Practical Nursing certificate is an ACEN-accredited program that emphasizes safe nursing care and clinical decision-making. The 1,350-clock-hour curriculum includes hospital-based clinical experiences and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-PN. With a net price of $3,957 and an articulated pathway into the college’s ADN program, it offers a cost-effective ladder for career advancement.
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Some program rankings lean on reputation or anecdotal impressions. Ours takes a different route: every school’s position is based entirely on publicly available federal data, so the numbers are transparent and comparable.
The composite score behind each rank draws on five metrics from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard:
Weights favor programs that combine low net price, strong completion rates, and solid early-career earnings. Because net price is an average, your own cost may differ based on your financial situation.
The initial pool included all eligible LPN programs within a 75-mile radius of Orlando, ensuring the list reflects schools you can realistically attend without relocating.
You will notice NCLEX-PN pass rates and clinical-quality observations elsewhere in this article. While these outcomes matter enormously for your licensing path, they are not directly comparable across states or easily reduced to a single federal metric. Keeping the core ranking tied to objective earnings and debt data lets you compare programs on a uniform scale, and then you can layer in NCLEX performance as a separate lens.
Practical nursing programs in Orlando are designed to prepare you for the NCLEX-PN as efficiently as possible. Most full-time students complete their training in 11 to 14 months, with several schools offering 12-month tracks. The standard curriculum includes at least 1350 clock hours of combined classroom and clinical instruction, which aligns with Florida’s Board of Nursing requirements.
If you need to work while in school, you have options. Rasmussen University’s LPN program spans 15 months on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule, allowing weekdays for employment. Lake Technical College offers a part-time hybrid track that stretches the timeline but lets you balance other commitments. Most other schools provide primarily daytime, weekday instruction, so check directly with each program for evening or weekend availability.
An LPN program's sticker price rarely tells the whole story. After factoring in grants and scholarships, the actual net price, what students and families pay out of pocket, can range from under $1,000 at Florida public colleges to over $35,000 at private career schools. Much of the difference comes down to sector: public community and state colleges keep in-state tuition low, and qualifying students often receive Pell Grants and state aid that cut costs further. Private institutions typically charge higher upfront tuition, though some offer institutional scholarships. Where data is available, graduates of the most affordable programs typically carry less debt, with median loan balances between $6,992 and $9,396 at public schools, compared to $22,000 at a private nonprofit university.
Getting into an LPN program requires meeting specific LPN prerequisites before you can start classes. Requirements vary by school, so check each program's admissions page to avoid surprises. Below, we break down the most common prerequisites you will encounter at Orlando‑area schools.
Most Orlando‑area programs use the ATI TEAS exam to gauge readiness. Score thresholds differ: Orange Technical College accepts a minimum adjusted individual score of 41.3%1, while Florida Gateway College requires a composite score of at least 58%2. Some colleges may waive the TEAS if you already hold a degree, but confirm this directly with admissions.
A handful of schools also require applicants to be certified nursing assistants before applying. Orange Technical College includes a CNA credential as a program prerequisite1, so plan to complete a state‑approved nurse aide course if you do not already hold one. Other institutions, like Valencia College or Concorde Career Institute Orlando, may not list this as a hard requirement, but having direct patient‑care experience always strengthens an application.
Before applying, contact each school to confirm current deadlines, because dates can shift from year to year. Most programs also require a campus interview or orientation session as the final step, so build that into your timeline.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse in Florida requires following a straightforward process managed by the Florida Board of Nursing. After completing an approved practical nursing program, you’ll apply for licensure, pass the national exam, and complete a background check.
First, verify that your program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. All the Orlando options listed earlier meet that standard, and a full directory of Florida-approved programs is available at /lpn-programs/florida/. Once you graduate, submit your application through the Florida Health MQA portal. The licensure application fee is about $100, and you’ll need to schedule a Livescan fingerprinting appointment for the required background check. Next, register for the NCLEX-PN through Pearson VUE. After passing the exam, the Board typically processes your license within four to six weeks.
Your Florida LPN license must be renewed every two years by July 31. New licensees are exempt from general continuing education hours for the first renewal but must still complete mandatory topics such as prevention of medical errors, Florida laws and rules, and human trafficking. Subsequent renewals require 24 hours of CE, including specific topics like domestic violence (every third renewal) and a one-time HIV/AIDS course. Many Orlando LPNs later use their experience as a stepping stone into LPN-to-RN bridge programs, which offer a faster route to becoming a registered nurse and opening doors to higher pay and supervisory roles.
Find quick answers to common questions about practical nursing programs in Orlando. For more detailed comparisons and step-by-step guidance, explore the earlier sections of this article.
