Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, schedules, and career outcomes at Tampa's top practical nursing schools.
Florida’s 80.78% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2024 trails the national average, making program choice a high-stakes decision. For Tampa students, that decision comes with a geographic tradeoff: the state’s strongest practical nursing programs are spread across Florida, from the Panhandle to Miami, though some explore online LPN programs to bypass commuting.
Seven programs stood out in this year’s evaluation, each designed to prepare you for the exam and state licensure. They differ sharply in length, from 12 to 14 months, and in total cost, with some public options under $6,000.
Tampa’s expanding hospital systems and outpatient clinics continue to hire LPNs from these programs, but commuting or relocating may be necessary. The proximity of a campus is just one factor among outcomes like NCLEX performance and job placement rates.
Here are our top picks for practical nursing programs near Tampa, Florida. While these schools are located throughout the state, they offer accessible LPN training for those willing to commute or relocate. Each program prepares you for the NCLEX-PN and state licensure.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | ~$25,000/yr (est.) | Hospital partnership seekers | |
Jacksonville University's Practical Nurse program stands out for its partnership with Baptist Health, offering a direct hiring pipeline for graduates who pass the NCLEX-PN. This private university provides heavy clinical integration (585 hours) and simulation training at its state-of-the-art center. Institution-wide, JU reports a 51% graduation rate and median graduate debt of $22,000. The 12-month campus program carries higher tuition, but the work-promise agreement may offset costs for career-focused students.
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| #2 | Chipola College | Marianna, FL | $1,000/yr (net price) | Rural healthcare starters | |
Chipola College in Marianna delivers a high-impact Practical Nursing program with a reported 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate and job placement within 12 months. As a public institution, it offers low net price (around $1,133) and state-funded tuition assistance for Florida residents. The 1,350-clock-hour program spans three semesters and includes evening and weekend clinicals, making it accessible for working students. Institution-wide, graduation rate is 53%.
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| #3 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City, FL | ~$5,000/yr (est.) | Budget-conscious practical nurses | |
Gulf Coast State College offers a 45-week Practical Nurse Certificate at its Gulf/Franklin Campus in Port St. Joe. This public program emphasizes small class sizes and low tuition, with a net price of approximately $4,709. The selective admission process and personalized instruction contribute to a 90% graduate recommendation rate. Institutionally, GCSC has a 44% graduation rate, and graduates see median earnings of $38,359 a decade after enrollment.
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| #4 | North Florida College | Madison, FL | $1,000/yr | ||
North Florida College in Madison provides an ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing program with a remarkably low net price of $804. The program emphasizes hands-on training and prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam, with classes starting each August. The institution's graduation rate is 59%, and its small-town setting offers a focused learning environment.
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| #5 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology | Miami, FL | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | ||
FVI School of Nursing and Technology is a private school in Miami offering a 14-month Practical Nursing program with a strong emphasis on NCLEX preparation and job placement assistance. The institution reports an 89% graduation rate, though that figure reflects all programs, not specifically nursing. Net price is $35,514, placing it at the higher end, but financial aid may be available for qualifying students.
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| #6 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Florida Gateway College in Lake City offers a 12-month Practical Nursing certificate program known for NCLEX-PN pass rates that exceed state and national averages. Total program cost is approximately $7,319, and the net price is $5,364. The public college serves a high Pell-eligible population (93%) and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio for focused training.
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| #7 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola, FL | $4,000/yr | ||
Pensacola State College provides a 1,350-clock-hour Practical Nursing career certificate with ACEN accreditation. The program includes clinical experiences in hospitals and a seamless bridge to the college's ADN program. Net price is $3,957, and the institution-wide graduation rate is 36%. Admission requires the HESI A2 exam, background check, and CPR certification.
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Prospective LPN students in Tampa should research program-specific tuition rates and fees on individual school websites such as Hillsborough Community College and Erwin Technical College. For financial aid, the Florida Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) administers state grants like the Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG), and CareerSource Tampa Bay offers workforce training funds and WIOA funding for nursing programs. Professional associations like the Florida Nurses Association offer LPN-specific scholarships, including the Iona Pettingill Scholarship which requires a minimum 2.5 GPA.
| Financial Aid Program | Award Amount | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) Grant | $1,500 | Florida state grant |
| Florida Nurses Foundation Scholarships | Up to $2,500 | Application period: January 1 to June 1 |
| National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarship | $1,000 | |
| Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association Career Mobility Scholarship | Up to $2,500 | |
| StraightForward Media Nursing School Scholarship | $500 | |
| HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program | Full tuition, fees, educational costs, and monthly stipend |
Florida’s LPN candidates posted an 80.78% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2024. That figure lands well below the national average of 88.38% for the same year, placing Florida among the most challenging states for practical nursing licensure. For prospective students in Tampa, a program’s recent pass rate serves as a direct signal of how well its curriculum prepares graduates for the exam, and for the demands of entry-level practice.
Nationwide, first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates have hovered in the high 80s, making Florida’s lag a persistent concern. The state’s weaker aggregate performance does not mean every Tampa-area school struggles; rather, it underscores the importance of picking a program with documented success. Some public and technical college programs in Florida consistently exceed the state average by 10 points or more, while a few private programs trail significantly.
When comparing Tampa LPN programs, check for multi-year pass rate trends, not just a single year. A school that holds steady above 85% across two or three reporting cycles demonstrates stronger instructional consistency. Exercise caution if a program’s rate dips below 75% in multiple years, as that may signal gaps in clinical preparation or test-readiness support. Many Florida Board of Nursing–approved programs publish their individual rates, and asking admissions staff for the three most recent cohorts’ performance is a reasonable step.
Because the Florida Board of Nursing releases NCLEX-PN pass rates annually by program name, you can verify the latest results for Tampa-area schools directly. Public community and technical colleges in the region have often tracked closer to or above the national average, but each campus’s record varies. Rely on official board data rather than promotional materials alone, and pair pass rates with other quality indicators like clinical placement hours, faculty credentials, and graduate satisfaction.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse in Tampa follows a clear sequence from classroom to clinical to exam and licensure. Here’s your step-by-step path for 2026.
Licensed practical nurses in Tampa earn wages that reflect the area's strong demand for healthcare talent. While the BLS does not publish a standalone metro median for Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, the statewide figures offer a reliable benchmark. In 2024, the bottom 10th percentile of Florida LPNs earned $48,970, while the top 90th percentile reached $72,950. These numbers bracket a statewide mean annual wage of $57,140 (reported in 2023) – a salary ladder that climbs with experience, specialty, and shift differentials.
The national median for LPNs sits at $62,340 (2024), suggesting that Florida's wage structure is competitive, especially given the region's lower cost of living compared to other high-population states. Tampa's large hospitals, nursing homes, and home health agencies routinely hire newly licensed nurses, and many employers offer sign-on bonuses or tuition reimbursement that can boost total compensation above base pay.
Program-level earnings for Tampa LPN graduates are not yet reported in the most recent scorecard data, so it is hard to pinpoint exactly what new nurses earn in their first year on the job. Typically, entry-level LPNs start near the lower end of the pay range and see regular increases as they clock experience and pick up additional credentials. Looking ahead, the BLS projects national LPN employment to grow 3% through 2034, translating to approximately 54,400 job openings per year. Florida's aging population and robust healthcare infrastructure position Tampa graduates for steady demand across clinics, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities.
Hillsborough Community College’s Dale Mabry campus offers a streamlined LPN Transition Option that can lead to an associate degree in nursing (ADN) in 12–16 months. This fast-paced track is one of several bridge programs in Tampa designed to move licensed practical nurses into registered nursing roles.
Bridge program lengths vary by degree goal. An LPN-to-ADN pathway generally takes about 12–20 months and culminates in an associate degree, qualifying graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. An LPN-to-BSN route is longer, typically around 28 months, because it includes the full bachelor’s-level nursing curriculum along with general education courses. Both paths lead to RN licensure, but the BSN can provide a broader foundation for leadership and specialty roles.
Four local institutions provide structured transitions: - Galen College of Nursing: On-campus LPN/LVN-to-ADN bridge, approximately 18 months. - Hillsborough Community College: AS-Nursing LPN Transition Option, 12–16 months on the Dale Mabry campus, with per-credit costs around $100–$130. - Herzing University: Hybrid LPN-to-ASN (20 months, 72 credits) and LPN-to-BSN (28 months, 120 credits) bridges. - Jersey College: Campus-based/hybrid LPN-to-RN bridge leading to an ADN.
Registered nurses in the Tampa–St. Petersburg metro area earn a significant premium over licensed practical nurses. While specific figures shift with the market, moving to an RN role consistently unlocks higher base pay, wider job variety, and more advancement options. For many LPNs, earning an RN license is the single most impactful career move available within nursing.
Choosing the right LPN program in Tampa involves many questions. Below are answers to some of the most common inquiries from prospective students, drawing on data from the rankings and guides on this page.
