Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, schedules, and outcomes for area practical nursing programs
Overland Park, at the heart of the Kansas City metro’s expanding healthcare corridor, sees strong LPN demand from long-term care, home health, and primary care clinics. Seven LPN certificate and diploma programs within commuting distance give students a mix of traditional community-college tracks and a hybrid online LPN program at a private university.
Net prices range from under $5,000 at public community colleges to over $23,000 at the private university, and NCLEX-PN pass rates and median earnings vary widely. The real test is whether a program’s cost, clinical placements, and exam prep align with what Kansas City employers pay for a practical nursing credential.
These seven LPN programs near Overland Park, Kansas, offer a mix of metro-focused clinical training, rural tuition savings, and flexible formats. We prioritized schools with strong NCLEX pass rates, competitive net prices, and high graduate earnings. All programs are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing and prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS | $3,000 – $7,000/yr | Metro-area residents seeking KC clinical partnerships | |
Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Practical Nursing program is a campus-based certificate designed for metro-area students, with clinical rotations at major KC healthcare employers. The school reports strong NCLEX pass rates and job placement, and serves Johnson County residents directly. Graduates can later transition into KCKCC’s associate degree nursing pathway while staying in the metro.
| |||||
| #2 | Neosho County Community College | Chanute, KS | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | Students near Ottawa-Lawrence seeking RN pathway | |
Neosho County Community College delivers its Practical Nursing certificate at the Ottawa campus, about an hour from Overland Park, drawing students from the Kansas City-Lawrence-Ottawa corridor. The 39-credit, 1.5-year program emphasizes patient-centered care and prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN. A mandatory information session helps screen applicants, and coursework aligns closely with the college’s RN program for seamless advancement.
| |||||
| #3 | Coffeyville Community College | Coffeyville, KS | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | Outcome-focused learners wanting guaranteed job placement | |
Coffeyville Community College’s Practical Nursing program is a one-year campus-based certificate with a 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement, serving the Kansas-Oklahoma border region. It is the first year of a two-year ADN, allowing seamless progression. Despite the distance from Overland Park, the program’s affordability and robust outcomes attract students willing to relocate for a guaranteed start in nursing.
| |||||
| #4 | Manhattan Area Technical College | Manhattan, KS | $10,000/yr | ||
Manhattan Area Technical College’s Practical Nursing certificate delivers impressive outcomes: a 74% graduation rate, 96% first-time NCLEX pass rate, and 100% job placement. Though located in Manhattan, the program offers a clear stackable pathway into partner RN programs and serves a significant military-connected population. Its all-in program cost transparency and strong median earnings make it a strong return-on-investment pick for those willing to move.
| |||||
| #5 | Rasmussen University-Kansas | Topeka, KS | $24,000/yr | ||
Rasmussen University’s Kansas campus in Topeka offers a hybrid Practical Nursing diploma with up to eight start dates yearly, appealing to career-changers from the KC metro who need frequent entry points. The LPN Care Grant can reduce costs, and the online didactic format minimizes on-campus days. Graduates can transfer into Rasmussen’s system-wide LPN-to-RN or BSN pathways.
| |||||
| #6 | Colby Community College | Colby, KS | $8,000/yr (net price) | ||
Colby Community College’s Certificate in Practical Nursing is a residential, rural option in northwest Kansas with dual accreditation from ACEN and KSBN. The program emphasizes caring, critical thinking, and adaptability, and prepares students for LPN licensure. While far from Overland Park, it offers on-campus housing and a small-college environment for those seeking a focused, community-based education.
| |||||
| #7 | Seward County Community College | Liberal, KS | $4,000 – $5,000/yr | ||
Seward County Community College’s Certificate in Practical Nursing serves southwest Kansas and the tri-state area, with clinical rotations in rural healthcare settings. The low net price of $6,717 and median debt of $6,500 make it an affordable choice, though Overland Park students would need to relocate. The program is designed for occupational entry into rural nursing roles.
| |||||
Every prospective LPN student faces a tradeoff: paying less upfront through affordable LPN programs versus attending a program with the strongest earnings and completion track record. Our ranking aims to surface the schools that balance these priorities best for learners in the Overland Park area.
We started with all accredited practical nursing programs within a 75-mile radius of Overland Park (expanding if needed to ensure at least three options). Each school was then scored on four factors: net price after grants (lower is better), median earnings of graduates (from College Scorecard, reflecting real-world debt-to-earnings viability), completion rates (institution-wide, as program-specific figures aren’t always reported), and availability of flexible formats like evening, weekend, or hybrid schedules.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are publicly tracked by the Kansas State Board of Nursing, but they are not part of the composite score. You’ll find those details in the next section so you can weigh them alongside our ranking. Every data point comes from IPEDS or the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, not from student reviews or promotional materials.
Use this ranking as a starting point, then dig into the LPN NCLEX pass rates and program specifics below to find your best fit.
The chart below compares the net price effective, the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships, across seven LPN programs near Overland Park. Costs range from $4,957 at Coffeyville Community College to $23,980 at Rasmussen University-Kansas. Net price is an average; students who qualify for a Pell Grant typically pay less. Also, watch for large gaps between in-state and out-of-state tuition, which can add thousands to the sticker price.
The NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate is the most direct measure of an LPN program's ability to prepare you for practical nursing licensure. A high rate signals strong curriculum alignment with the exam and thorough clinical training.
The Kansas State Board of Nursing's 2024 annual report shows two programs in the Overland Park area with standout results:1
Both comfortably exceed the 2024 national average of 86.67%.1 Johnson County Community College's performance also edged out the 2024 Kansas statewide average of 94.91%1, a benchmark that reflects the strength of LPN programs in Kansas.
Detailed graduate earnings for LPN programs near Overland Park are not yet available through federal databases, so direct salary comparisons between programs are not possible. However, NCLEX-PN pass rates remain a reliable early indicator of your chances to secure a license and enter the workforce quickly.
Pass rates can shift from year to year, and the most up-to-date numbers may reflect changes in faculty, curriculum, or exam content. Always review the latest annual pass rate report on the KSBN website before committing to a program. This ensures you base your decision on the freshest data available.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse in Overland Park follows the same Kansas State Board of Nursing (KSBN) process as anywhere in the state. Here’s the step-by-step path from enrollment to your first license.
Paying for an LPN certificate means balancing the LPN program cost against the long-term earnings boost. Smart use of aid can make the difference between manageable debt and a degree that more than pays for itself. For Overland Park students, a few targeted funding sources, such as lpn scholarships and grants, stand out.
The Kansas Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar award that covers remaining tuition, fees, and required books after other financial aid. It’s available to Kansas residents enrolled in eligible healthcare certificate or associate programs at public community colleges, including Johnson County Community College’s nursing pathway. To qualify, you must maintain a 2.0 GPA, have a household income at or below $100,000 (two-person family) or $150,000 (three-person family), file the FAFSA, and complete the Promise application. The scholarship caps at $20,000 over 68 credit hours, and recipients agree to live and work in Kansas for two years after finishing. Since funds are first-come, first-served, early application is critical.1
An institution’s Pell Grant share can reveal how experienced it is at helping students navigate aid. Among ranked programs near Overland Park, Kansas City Kansas Community College reports the highest Pell recipient percentage at 88% , a strong indicator of embedded support for federal and state aid applications. Other high-Pell schools within reach include Neosho County Community College (80%) and Seward County Community College (84%), both actively assisting students who rely on grants to bridge the cost gap.
Many LPN students qualify for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants administered through the Kansas City metro’s one-stop workforce centers, such as the Workforce Partnership. These funds can cover tuition, supplies, and even supportive services for individuals meeting eligibility requirements related to income or employment status. Contact your local KansasWorks office to check availability and complete the intake process well before your program start date.
Several large healthcare employers in the region, including AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Olathe Health, and Saint Luke’s Health System, offer tuition reimbursement or educational assistance for employees pursuing nursing credentials. If you already work in a hospital or long-term care setting, ask about reimbursement policies; many cover a portion of LPN program costs, effectively reducing your out-of-pocket burden while you build clinical skills.
For many students, the trade-off is clear: practical nursing offers a quicker route to a paycheck than registered nursing, but that paycheck is notably smaller. Understanding what LPNs actually earn in the Kansas City area, and how that compares to average LPN salaries by state and nationally, can shape your decision about where (and whether) to enroll.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs in the Kansas City, MO-KS metropolitan area earned a median annual wage of approximately $55,480 in 2023, or about $26.67 per hour. That sits above the Kansas statewide median of roughly $53,090, but below the national median of $59,7301. The local premium reflects the metro’s higher cost of living and concentration of healthcare employers, though it still lags behind registered nursing salaries.
Large local providers drive much of the demand. Key employers near Overland Park include: - Hospitals: AdventHealth Shawnee Mission and HCA Midwest Health’s Overland Park Regional Medical Center regularly hire LPNs for medical-surgical and observation units. - Skilled nursing and senior living: Many LPNs work in long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, such as those operated by local and regional senior living chains. - Home health agencies: With an aging population in Johnson County, home health providers frequently employ LPNs for in-home care visits.
Prospective practical nursing students in Overland Park often have important questions about program length, costs, admission requirements, and career prospects. Below we address the most frequently asked topics to help you plan your LPN education.
