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.
Our 2026 ranking covers the top LPN programs within commuting distance of Tampa, highlighting schools that combine affordability, clinical rigor, and student support. Whether you seek a fast-track private diploma or a low-cost public certificate, these options offer a range of pathways into nursing.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay | Saint Petersburg, FL | $28,000/yr | Accelerated pathway for career changers | |
Galen College of Nursing's Tampa Bay campus offers a streamlined, 12-month Practical/Vocational Nursing diploma with four start dates per year. The program emphasizes hands-on skill development in clinical learning labs and includes dedicated academic advising and tutoring. As a private nursing school, it carries a higher net price than public alternatives but accelerates entry into the workforce.
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| #2 | Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey, FL | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Low-cost with money-back employment guarantee | |
Pasco-Hernando State College's Practical Nursing certificate is a limited-access public program located in New Port Richey, just north of Tampa. It stands out for its Money-Back Guarantee, pledging a tuition refund if graduates aren't employed within six months. With a cohort size capped at 36 per term and TEAS exam requirements, admission is competitive, but net price is significantly lower than private schools.
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| #3 | Galen College of Nursing | Sarasota, FL | $28,000/yr | Sarasota-area fast-track candidates | |
Galen College of Nursing's Sarasota campus mirrors the Tampa Bay offering with an identical 12-month Practical/Vocational Nursing diploma. Students benefit from the same clinical lab infrastructure, free application, and multiple start dates, though the campus is about 60 miles south of Tampa. It suits applicants in the Sarasota-Manatee area looking for the same accelerated format.
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| #4 | Manatee Technical College | Bradenton, FL | $2,000/yr | ||
Manatee Technical College in Bradenton offers an affordable, hybrid Practical Nursing program with a track record of 98% job placement and 100% on-time completion. Total tuition is just over $7,300, making it one of the most economical options in the region. The program blends online and on-campus learning and includes clinical rotations at area hospitals like Blake and Manatee Memorial.
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| #5 | ATA Career Education | Spring Hill, FL | $28,000/yr | ||
ATA Career Education in Spring Hill provides a 15-month hybrid LPN program with no entrance exam or waiting list, designed for immediate enrollment. Day and evening classes accommodate working students, and laptops are included. The program includes NCLEX-PN preparation and career placement assistance, though net price is significantly higher than public options.
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| #6 | Concorde Career Institute-Tampa | Tampa, FL | $26,000/yr (net price) | ||
Concorde Career Institute's Tampa campus delivers a fast-paced, 13-month Practical Nursing diploma with direct admission and hands-on clinical rotations. The campus, located in Tampa, offers a supportive learning environment with a Director of Nursing assigned to each cohort. While it lacks publicly reported completion or employment data, its fast timeline appeals to students eager to enter the field quickly.
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| #7 | Suncoast Technical College | Sarasota, FL | $17,000/yr | ||
Suncoast Technical College in Sarasota offers a hands-on Practical Nursing program where over 50% of hours are spent in clinical rotations at local hospitals and nursing homes. The curriculum covers medical, surgical, maternal-child, and mental health nursing, and all instructors are Florida-licensed registered nurses. Its net price is moderate, making it a solid public option for Sarasota-area students.
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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.
