Compare tuition, NCLEX-PN pass rates, and program length at Richmond-area practical nursing schools
Richmond’s steady demand for licensed practical nurses creates real opportunity, but choosing a program means weighing lower-cost public options against the faster starts and flexible schedules private schools offer. The metro area’s hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies employ thousands of LPNs, and that workforce need shows no sign of shrinking.
Seven state-approved LPN programs sit within commuting distance of the city, from community-college certificates to hospital-based diplomas. Tuition varies widely, and admission timelines can range from immediate entry to year-long waitlists.
Virginia’s Board of Nursing publicly tracks NCLEX-PN pass rates for every program, giving applicants a transparent way to compare classroom preparation before committing to a school.
The Richmond area offers several accredited practical nursing programs through Virginia's community college system, each providing an affordable pathway to LPN licensure. These programs combine classroom instruction with clinical experiences, preparing graduates to pass the NCLEX-PN and enter the workforce in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brightpoint Community College | Chester, VA | $5,000 – $12,000/yr | Cost-conscious aspiring practical nurses | |
Brightpoint Community College in Chester offers a practical nursing certificate that is fully approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing and eligible for G3 tuition assistance, making it one of the most cost-effective options in the region. With a net price around $5,500 and a supportive learning environment, students benefit from fall and spring start dates and state-of-the-art simulation facilities. The program emphasizes patient-centered care and evidence-based practice, preparing graduates for immediate entry into the nursing workforce.
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| #2 | Rappahannock Community College | Glenns, VA | $0 – $5,000/yr | Outcomes-driven licensure candidates | |
Rappahannock Community College, with campuses in Glenns and Warsaw, stands out for its exceptional outcomes: a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate and 100% job placement rate in recent years. The three-semester program offers three concentration options, allowing students to tailor their training to specific areas of interest. Although located outside Richmond, the program draws many Richmond-area students due to its strong reputation and October application deadline for the January start.
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| #3 | Southside Virginia Community College | Alberta, VA | $5,000 – $11,000/yr | Cohort-based hybrid learners | |
Southside Virginia Community College delivers a 49-credit practical nursing certificate through a hybrid, cohort-based model at its Alberta and South Boston campuses. The program emphasizes the nursing process, assessment, and communication, with start dates in August and January and an application deadline in May 2026. Students gain hands-on clinical experience across diverse settings and graduate eligible for the NCLEX-PN, benefiting from a supportive cohort structure and dedicated faculty.
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Our rankings reflect a balanced look at both academic outcomes and value. We pulled the latest publicly available data from the College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the Virginia Board of Nursing to evaluate practical nursing programs in the Richmond area.
First, we reviewed each school’s first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, as reported by the Virginia Board of Nursing. A strong pass rate signals that a program effectively prepares students for licensure, so this carried significant weight.
We also included the overall graduation rate reported to IPEDS. One important note: this figure covers all students at the institution, not just the LPN program. It gives a sense of the school’s track record for helping students complete their studies, but it is not specific to practical nursing.
Affordability matters. We used the average net price after financial aid (College Scorecard) to compare costs. This is an institutional average, and your actual out-of-pocket expenses will depend on your FAFSA, scholarships, and other aid packages.
Where available, we reviewed median earnings of former students, from the College Scorecard, to gauge post-graduation economic mobility. Keep in mind these figures reflect all programs, not only LPN graduates, and may not be available for every school.
By combining these factors, we aimed to highlight Richmond-area LPN programs that offer strong licensure preparation and solid value. No single metric drives the list: it is a holistic assessment using the most reliable public data.
The cost of an LPN program in the Richmond area can vary dramatically between public community colleges and private institutions. The table below lists key tuition and outcome metrics for schools within commuting distance, sorted by net price. Net price reflects what students typically pay after financial aid and can be substantially lower than the sticker cost.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Graduation Rate | Median Earnings (10 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrick & Henry Community College | $5,002 | $11,440 | $4,102 | 41.5% | $33,323 |
| Rappahannock Community College | $5,102 | $11,540 | $4,343 | 45.3% | $36,121 |
| Wytheville Community College | $5,007 | $11,445 | $4,622 | 47.4% | $34,303 |
| Germanna Community College | $5,257 | $11,648 | $5,541 | 46.5% | $39,644 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | $5,072 | $11,510 | $5,963 | 38.6% | $40,752 |
| ECPI University | $18,484 | $18,484 | $22,965 | 42.5% | $42,837 |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | N/A | N/A | $35,726 | 66.2% | N/A |
Pass-rate transparency is becoming a priority for nursing regulatory bodies, and Virginia makes it easy to compare program outcomes. The Virginia Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-PN pass rates by program, giving prospective students a direct window into how well each school prepares graduates for licensure. For the 2024-2025 testing cycle, the board's Excel spreadsheet lists results for all approved practical nursing programs in the state.3
Fortis College-Richmond's practical nursing program has seen variable results: 72.7% in 2020 and a perfect 100% in 2022, though the 2022 cohort was small at 16 test-takers.1 Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond reported a 100% pass rate in 2019, the last year for which data is readily summarized.2 Pass rates for Brightpoint Community College and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College are not consistently aggregated in third-party reports, so checking the board's official spreadsheet is essential.3
For context, Virginia's statewide average typically lands in the mid-80% to low-90% range, usually a few points above the national average, which hovers near 80-85% for first-time test-takers. Programs that consistently meet or exceed 85% are generally considered strong, while pass rates below 75% warrant a closer look at curriculum and support structures.
The path to becoming a licensed practical nurse in Virginia follows a clear sequence. Below is a step-by-step overview of the requirements, from meeting prerequisites to obtaining your license from the Virginia Board of Nursing.
Understanding the earning potential and employment outlook for licensed practical nurses in the Richmond metropolitan area helps you weigh the return on investment of your education. While program costs and length vary, the salary data below provides a baseline for what you can expect as a new LPN.
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the national median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $59,730 in May 20231, which translates to a median hourly rate of $28.72. The bottom 10% of earners made less than $45,670 per year ($21.96 per hour), while the top 10% earned more than $77,870 annually ($37.44 per hour). Half of all LPNs earned between $50,640 and $67,140 per year.
The average lpn salaries provide a useful benchmark, but actual salaries in the Richmond metro can differ based on employer type, experience, and local demand. The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Richmond MSA provide the most accurate local data. Many LPN program websites also share graduate salary surveys or job placement rates, and job platforms like Indeed or Glassdoor allow you to filter postings by location to see current salary ranges. The National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (NALPN) and the Virginia Board of Nursing can also offer state-level insights.
Nationally, employment of LPNs is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 20342, according to BLS projections. This growth reflects ongoing demand for healthcare services in settings like nursing care facilities, home healthcare, and physician offices. In the Richmond region, an aging population and expanding healthcare infrastructure may support steady demand for new LPN graduates.
LPNs in the Richmond area have several options to advance to registered nursing. These LPN-to-RN bridge programs build on existing experience, shortening the path to an associate degree or ADN.
Moving from LPN to RN is a clear return on investment. Registered nurses in the Richmond metro typically earn substantially higher salaries than LPNs, and the additional credential opens doors to more clinical settings and supervisory roles.
Prospective LPNs in Richmond often ask about program duration, costs, and career outcomes. Here are straightforward answers to common questions.
