Compare tuition, NCLEX-PN outcomes, and career earnings across Michigan's highest-rated practical nursing programs.
Michigan’s long-term care facilities and hospitals are competing for a limited pool of LPN graduates as the population ages. Twenty-two programs across the state train these nurses, with tuition ranging from $3,333 at public community colleges to over $24,000 at private institutions. Many programs post NCLEX-PN pass rates above 90%, so the real differentiator isn’t exam readiness: it’s net cost, clinical placement quality, and employment outcomes.
Here are the top LPN programs in Michigan for 2026, from community college certificates to private career college pathways. Each profile highlights what sets the school apart, including campus format, net price after aid, and student outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | North Central Michigan College | Petoskey, MI | $10,000 – $15,000/yr (est.) | Full-time learners wanting cohort structure | |
North Central Michigan College in Petoskey offers an on-campus Practical Nurse Certificate (PN) that runs January to December. Average net price after aid is about $10,083, institution-wide graduation is roughly 29%, and former students typically earn $36,594 ten years post-entry with median debt near $14,000.
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| #2 | Dorsey College | Madison Heights, MI | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | Metro Detroit learners needing campus flexibility | |
Dorsey College in Madison Heights is a private career college offering a one-year on-campus Practical Nurse certificate. Average net price after aid is about $28,525, institution-wide graduation is roughly 54%, and former students typically earn $29,392 ten years post-entry with median debt near $13,000.
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| #3 | Detroit Business Institute-Downriver | Detroit, MI | $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) | Detroit area students seeking hands-on clinicals | |
Detroit Business Institute-Downriver in Detroit offers an on-campus Practical Nurse certificate with 1,155 total hours. Average net price after aid is about $17,687; institutional graduation data are not reported, but former students typically earn $26,702 ten years post-entry.
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| #4 | Dorsey College-Woodhaven | Woodhaven, MI | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | ||
Dorsey College Woodhaven in Woodhaven offers a one-year on-campus Practical Nurse certificate. Average net price after aid is about $30,698, institutional graduation data are not reported, and former students typically earn $29,392 ten years post-entry with median debt near $13,000.
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| #5 | Dorsey College-Saginaw | Saginaw, MI | ~$31,000/yr (est.) | ||
Dorsey College Saginaw in Saginaw offers a one-year on-campus Practical Nurse certificate. Average net price after aid is about $31,424, institutional graduation data are not reported, and former students typically earn $29,392 ten years post-entry with median debt near $13,000.
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| #6 | Dorsey College-Roseville | Roseville, MI | ~$29,000/yr (est.) | ||
Dorsey College Roseville in Roseville offers a one-year on-campus Practical Nurse certificate. Average net price after aid is about $29,232, institution-wide graduation is roughly 35%, and former students typically earn $29,392 ten years post-entry with median debt near $13,000.
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| #7 | Dorsey College-Wayne | Wayne, MI | $30,000 – $35,000/yr (est.) | ||
Dorsey College Wayne in Wayne offers a one-year on-campus Practical Nurse certificate. Average net price after aid is about $31,930, institutional graduation data are not reported, and former students typically earn $29,392 ten years post-entry with median debt near $13,000.
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| #8 | Macomb Community College | Warren, MI | ~$2,000/yr (est.) | ||
Macomb Community College in Warren offers a new one-year on-campus Licensed Practical Nurse certificate with simulation labs and clinical rotations. Average net price after aid is about $1,618, institution-wide graduation is roughly 18%, and former students typically earn $41,596 ten years post-entry with median debt near $6,000.
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Tuition for LPN programs in Michigan ranges widely, from $3,333 in-state at Wayne County Community College up to $24,466 at Davenport University. After financial aid, the net price students actually pay varies even more, with the lowest at $1,527 at West Shore Community College and the highest at $28,525 at Dorsey College in Madison Heights. The net price shown is the institution-wide average after grants and scholarships, not a guarantee for every LPN student. The Pell Grant recipient share indicates the proportion of undergraduates who receive federal need-based aid, offering a rough gauge of financial aid accessibility.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Pell Grant Recipients (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Shore Community College | $6,420 | $8,820 | $1,527 | 91.7% |
| Macomb Community College | $6,630 | $8,370 | $1,618 | 83.3% |
| Schoolcraft Community College District | $5,057 | $6,501 | $2,260 | 84.3% |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | $6,904 | $9,094 | $2,979 | 79.0% |
| Alpena Community College | $8,220 | $8,220 | $3,320 | 79.3% |
| Muskegon Community College | $11,970 | $16,010 | $4,005 | 85.7% |
| Delta College | $7,550 | $7,880 | $4,547 | 86.4% |
| Monroe County Community College | $7,511 | $8,267 | $4,586 | 75.6% |
| Kellogg Community College | $6,098 | $8,282 | $4,858 | 85.1% |
| Gogebic Community College | $6,630 | $7,530 | $5,397 | 74.8% |
| Lansing Community College | $7,700 | $11,300 | $5,437 | 75.4% |
| St Clair County Community College | $8,748 | $12,150 | $5,571 | 80.7% |
| Mott Community College | $8,405 | $11,460 | $5,687 | 80.3% |
| Northwestern Michigan College | $10,722 | $13,476 | $6,231 | 70.7% |
| Wayne County Community College District | $3,333 | $4,067 | $7,656 | 95.2% |
| Jackson College | $8,310 | $10,200 | $7,761 | 84.3% |
| Grand Rapids Community College | $8,289 | $12,219 | $8,621 | 74.0% |
| North Central Michigan College | $8,490 | $10,590 | $10,083 | 86.4% |
| Bay de Noc Community College | $9,626 | $11,453 | $11,949 | 81.4% |
| Davenport University | $24,466 | $24,466 | $17,707 | 65.3% |
| Dorsey College-Dearborn | $15,154 | $15,154 | $25,615 | 93.8% |
| Dorsey College | $16,990 | $16,990 | $28,525 | 93.8% |
A program with a near-perfect NCLEX-PN pass rate and one that hovers just above 75% both satisfy the state’s minimum threshold, yet the first-time pass rate tells a more revealing story about how thoroughly a curriculum prepares students for the licensing exam. When two schools are otherwise similar, this metric can tip the decision.
In 2024, Michigan’s LPN programs collectively reported an average NCLEX-PN pass rate of 87.40 percent, placing the state just a fraction below the national average of 87.76 percent. The figures draw from the Michigan Board of Nursing’s annual NCLEX Score Summary, which aggregates results from first-time test takers educated in the state. Nationwide benchmarks come from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). While the gap is small, averages mask wide variation among individual schools, some programs consistently exceed 95 percent, while others struggle to reach 80 percent. Readers can verify the latest numbers through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website.
First-time NCLEX-PN pass rates serve as a practical litmus test for program quality. A high rate suggests that the curriculum aligns well with the test plan, clinical placements give students enough hands-on practice, and faculty provide effective remediation. Conversely, a program with persistently low rates may have gaps in instruction, under-resourced simulation labs, or insufficient support for struggling students. Beyond licensure, strong pass rates correlate with smoother entry into the workforce: employers in hospitals and long-term care facilities often ask about NCLEX outcomes when recruiting new graduates.
When evaluating pass rates, look for several indicators: - Consistency: A rate that stays above 85 percent across three or more years signals steady program performance. - Cohort size: A 100 percent pass rate with only five test takers is less informative than a 92 percent rate from a cohort of 60. - Retention alignment: A program that graduates a high percentage of its entering class and also posts strong NCLEX numbers usually demonstrates strong student support end to end.
While this article does not include a program-level pass rate table, such a breakdown requires the latest year’s data from the Michigan Board of Nursing, which may be released after publication, students can access detailed reports directly. The Board’s annual NCLEX summary lists each approved LPN program with the number of first-time candidates, the number who passed, and the resulting percentage. Searching “Michigan NCLEX-PN pass rates 2024” or visiting the LARA website typically surfaces the most current PDF. When reviewing these reports, note the exam year and whether the rate reflects first-time test takers only, as repeat testers can inflate some institutional summaries. Checking a program’s track record across two or three years gives a more reliable picture than a single year’s snapshot.
Can you complete an LPN program online in Michigan? The short answer: fully online programs are virtually nonexistent because hands-on clinical hours are mandatory for licensure. However, a handful of schools now blend online coursework with in-person training, and a few offer evening or weekend schedules that can fit around a job.
In Michigan, a hybrid LPN program usually delivers lectures, readings, and quizzes through an online platform while requiring you to attend campus labs and clinical rotations in person. You still need to be physically present for skills practice and patient care experiences at local healthcare facilities. This format can cut down on commuting time for theory classes but does not reduce the total clinical hours required by the Michigan Board of Nursing.
From the schools on our list, two programs explicitly note a hybrid delivery:
Most other programs in the state, including those at Schoolcraft, Mott, Washtenaw, and Macomb, are campus-based. If online flexibility is essential, these hybrid options are worth a closer look, but expect the same rigorous clinical demands as any traditional track.
Flexible scheduling is not widespread among Michigan LPN programs, but there are a few standouts:
Oakland Community College does offer an Evening Nursing Program with weekend clinicals, but that program leads to an Associate Degree in Nursing, not an LPN certificate.2 If you’re set on an LPN path, don’t assume that evening RN programs translate to evening LPN slots, always confirm with the school.
Because flexible and hybrid formats are still the exception rather than the rule, call or email the program director and ask:
Answering these questions early will help you avoid surprises and find a program that matches your availability without compromising the training quality you need to pass the NCLEX-PN.
Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Michigan requires completing a state-approved program and passing the NCLEX-PN. Here is the step-by-step path from prerequisites to first job, including expected timeframes and costs.
Licensed Practical Nurses in Michigan earn wages that often exceed the national median, and employment opportunities remain strong across the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that licensed practical nurses nationwide earned a median annual wage of $62,340 in 2024. For the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn metropolitan area, the mean wage was $65,030, indicating that LPNs in Michigan's largest metro can earn above the national benchmark. Understanding local pay scales is essential because state-level medians can hide significant variation; an LPN in a rural Upper Peninsula clinic may earn less than one in a Detroit outpatient surgery center. To see full wage distributions, including the 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles for Michigan and specific cities like Grand Rapids-Wyoming, use the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) query tool and filter by state and metropolitan area.
Nationally, the BLS projects growth for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses over the 2024–2034 decade, driven by an aging population, an increase in chronic conditions, and a shift toward long-term care and home health services. For Michigan-specific projections, the go‑to resources are Projections Central (projectionscentral.org) and the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). These agencies publish long-term occupational outlooks that break down expected job openings and growth rates for LPNs across the state. Accessing these reports gives you a data-driven view of where demand will be strongest, whether in hospitals, nursing care facilities, or home healthcare.
While government statistics provide the gold standard, you can supplement them with current postings on job boards like Indeed and Glassdoor. These platforms show salary ranges advertised by employers right now, along with employee reviews and benefit information. However, always cross-reference job board figures with official BLS data, as crowdsourced salaries can be skewed by small sample sizes or self-reported bias. Pairing these sources gives you a complete picture of what you can earn and where the jobs will be.
School-by-school comparison of median earnings 10 years after entry and median student debt for LPN program completers at top Michigan schools, using the latest College Scorecard data. Programs with a higher earnings-to-debt ratio deliver stronger early-career returns.
At least seven Michigan institutions, including Washtenaw Community College and Schoolcraft College, offer structured LPN-to-RN bridge pathways. These programs allow licensed practical nurses to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, often in less time than a traditional prelicensure track because they award credit for previous education and clinical experience.
Because LPNs have already completed foundational nursing coursework and clinical hours, bridge programs are designed to fill the gap between the LPN and RN scopes of practice. Curricula typically cover advanced topics such as critical care, leadership, and community health. Most pathways lead to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing and add about one to two semesters beyond the standard ADN timeline. Some universities offer an LPN-to-BSN track that awards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and generally requires about three years of full-time study.
Most programs are campus-based, though some may offer hybrid components. Admission generally requires a valid Michigan LPN license and a minimum GPA, often in the range of 2.5, 3.0.
Bridge programs are shorter than starting an RN path from scratch, but the exact timeline depends on the degree. Community college ADN options add roughly 8, 18 months, while an LPN-to-BSN can take two and a half to three years. Costs vary widely by institution and residency status. At community colleges, in-district tuition often falls between $100 and $200 per credit, so total program expenses may range from $5,000 to $15,000 beyond the LPN coursework. University-based tracks, such as the one at Madonna, have higher tuition rates. Budget for additional expenses like textbooks, uniforms, background checks, and NCLEX-RN fees.
Several schools that appear in our list of top LPN programs in Michigan also operate bridge tracks, creating a continuous educational path within the same institution. Washtenaw Community College, Schoolcraft College, Henry Ford College, and Wayne County Community College District all offer both LPN and LPN-to-RN options, so students can start with practical nursing and transition directly into the ADN program without changing schools. This can streamline advising, financial aid, and clinical placements, making the leap to registered nurse more straightforward.
Below are answers to common questions about LPN programs in Michigan, including timelines, online options, prerequisites, and licensing steps. Whether you're starting your nursing career or planning an LPN-to-RN bridge, these insights will help you navigate the process.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, this directory covers an additional 12 LPN schools across Michigan, from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula. Browse by region to find campus and hybrid options that fit your location and schedule.
