Ranked by affordability, completion rates, and graduate earnings to help you choose the right program.
Where can Ohio nursing students get the strongest return on their LPN education? Long-term care and ambulatory clinics continue to fuel demand for licensed practical nurses across the state, but program costs diverge sharply.
Among the 24 schools in this year’s ranking, net price after grants and scholarships stretches from under $4,000 to over $47,000. That gap means two graduates sitting for the same NCLEX-PN exam may carry vastly different debt loads.
Cost-conscious students can find the best LPN programs that pair low tuition with solid NCLEX pass rates, but the search requires looking past sticker prices to outcomes that matter.
Our 2026 ranking of Ohio LPN programs is built around what matters most: delivering a quality nursing education without overwhelming debt. We emphasize net price and financial aid data, while also factoring in graduation rates, graduate earnings, and program-level details like licensure exam pass rates. This approach surfaces schools that balance affordability with strong student outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | North Central State College | Mansfield, OH | $5,000/yr (net price) | Working adults needing evening classes | |
North Central State College’s Practical Nursing Certificate is a fast, evening-based program tailored for working adults in north central Ohio. Completed in just two semesters from May to December with classes from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., it blends clinical experiences with coursework. The college offers a clear internal pathway from LPN to ADN and now a BSN completion option, making it a strong choice for career-long nursing education.
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| #2 | Lorain County Community College | Elyria, OH | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | Budget-conscious aspiring LPNs | |
Lorain County Community College’s Practical Nursing certificate is one of Ohio’s most affordable LPN programs, with a net price of $3,967. The one-year, campus-based program covers medical-surgical, maternity, pediatric, and geriatric nursing and requires the ATI TEAS for admission. Small cohorts and dedicated faculty provide hands-on clinical training, and the college offers credit for prior learning and articulation agreements for those seeking advanced degrees.
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| #3 | Washington State Community College | Marietta, OH | $8,000/yr | Students prioritizing licensure exam success | |
Washington State Community College’s Certificate of Practical Nursing Education boasts a 100% licensure pass rate and strong clinical partnerships with Marietta Memorial Hospital and Camden Clark Medical Center. The campus-based program prepares students through a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on rotations. With a net price of $7,714 and a Pell Grant share of 75.9%, it balances cost-effectiveness with proven outcomes.
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| #4 | Edison State Community College | Piqua, OH | $7,000/yr | ||
Edison State Community College’s ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing Certificate can be completed in two consecutive terms. The campus-based program emphasizes evidence-based, client-centered care and requires a high school chemistry background and a 2.5 GPA for admission. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-PN, and the college’s graduates earn a median of $41,360 ten years after entry (institution-wide), with a net price of $7,142.
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| #5 | James A. Rhodes State College | Lima, OH | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Rhodes State College’s Practical Nursing Certificate is a one-year, fall-start program limited to 40 students per cohort, ensuring personalized attention. It features high-fidelity simulation labs and a pathway into the college’s Associate Degree Nursing program. A 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate (2019) and scholarships like Choose Ohio First enhance its appeal, though the net price is slightly higher at $8,757.
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| #6 | Southern State Community College | Hillsboro, OH | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Southern State Community College’s three-semester Practical Nursing program reports a 92% licensure pass rate and 100% job placement. Day classes are held at Central and Brown County campuses, and the curriculum includes e-books at reduced cost. With a net price of $9,674 and 81.7% Pell Grant recipients, it’s a solid choice for those seeking strong employment outcomes in the Hillsboro area.
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| #7 | Columbus State Community College | Columbus, OH | $5,000 – $11,000/yr | ||
Columbus State Community College’s LPN certificate is a full-time, four-semester program with day and evening options, making it accessible for students in the Columbus metro area. Entry requires a HESI A2 score of 73% or higher. The program is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing and serves as a career path for nursing assistants, with a net price of $8,400 and median graduate debt of $8,749.
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| #8 | Stark State College | North Canton, OH | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | ||
Stark State College offers a Practical Nursing certificate with the lowest tuition in northeast Ohio, taught in small classes at the Akron campus. With day and evening/weekend tracks and 46 seats per cohort, it provides flexibility and a clear LPN-to-ADN bridge. The net price is $5,986, and 76.9% of students receive Pell Grants, underscoring its affordability.
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| #9 | Central Ohio Technical College | Newark, OH | $5,000 – $8,000/yr | ||
Central Ohio Technical College’s ACEN-accredited Practical Nursing certificate can be completed in three semesters with three annual start dates (summer, fall, spring) at multiple campuses. The program reports an 86% NCLEX pass rate and includes a free college application. Graduates benefit from an LPN-to-RN transition option and a median institutional earnings of $39,168, though the net price is higher at $9,948.
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| #10 | Northwest State Community College | Archbold, OH | $14,000/yr | ||
Northwest State Community College’s Practical Nursing certificate provides a straightforward entry into nursing with an optional LPN-to-RN bridge. The campus-based program is part of the Nursing and Allied Health department, though public details are limited. The net price of $13,555 is the highest on this list, but median graduate debt is low at $9,750, and 70.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
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The cost of an LPN program in Ohio varies widely, from about $4,000 at community colleges to over $47,000 at private institutions. These figures reflect the average net price after grants and scholarships, the amount students actually pay, not the published tuition. Your actual cost will depend on your financial aid eligibility and enrollment status.
The sticker price of an LPN program covers only part of what you will spend to earn your license. Understanding every line item before you enroll helps you avoid surprises and plan a realistic budget.
Tuition is the biggest expense, but many other costs quickly add up. When comparing Ohio LPN programs, look beyond the per-credit rate and ask about these typical out-of-pocket items:
Always visit each program's official website and look for a dedicated tuition and fees page. Many schools publish a comprehensive cost of attendance that includes estimates for books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. If you cannot find the information, call the school’s bursar or admissions office.
Once you complete your LPN program, you will apply for licensure through the Ohio Board of Nursing. The board charges an application fee that is nonrefundable. On top of that, you must pay the NCLEX-PN registration fee directly to Pearson VUE. Check the Ohio Board of Nursing’s website for the most current fee schedule and any additional fingerprinting charges. Their FAQ page also covers common hidden costs, such as the fee for a temporary permit while you wait to test.
LPN programs in Ohio qualify for many of the same need-based grants and workforce development funds that degree programs do, but some aid is specific to certificate students. Here is where to look:
Costs can change from year to year, so always use the current school year’s data. When researching, create a simple spreadsheet that lists each expense category and the amount quoted by every school. Then, visit the Ohio Board of Nursing’s website for the latest licensing fees. A thorough list lets you compare total program costs rather than just tuition, helping you find the best value in Ohio LPN education.
Ohio requires graduation from a state-approved LPN program and a current BCI/FBI background check before you can sit for the NCLEX-PN. The Ohio Board of Nursing sets all licensure requirements.
Most Ohio LPN programs set a minimum cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.5, though individual schools may have higher thresholds, Columbus State Community College, for instance, requires a 2.4.
Before applying, you will need a high school diploma or GED. Beyond that, nearly every program asks for:
Once admitted, you will also need to maintain any program-specific academic standards throughout the curriculum.
Full-time programs are typically 12 months, but accelerated and part-time tracks are becoming more common, a gap many competitors miss when comparing schools.
No program on our radar currently advertises dedicated weekend-only tracks, but part-time schedules often include evening or flexible clinical placements that can accommodate working students.
Most Ohio LPN programs award a certificate or diploma, not an associate degree. This distinction matters if you plan to later enroll in an LPN-to-RN bridge program. Credits from a diploma track often do not transfer as seamlessly toward an associate or bachelor’s in nursing, which means you may need to repeat some coursework when pursuing your RN. During your research, check each school’s articulation agreements if that pathway is in your future.
On-campus LPN programs offer daily face-to-face interaction, but hybrid formats blend online coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations. The Ohio Board of Nursing does not approve any fully online LPN program because state regulations require supervised hands-on clinical hours. Labels like “online LPN program” actually refer to hybrid models where only the theory portion moves to a digital platform.
The Ohio Board of Nursing mandates that all practical nursing programs include in-person clinical training. Didactic coursework can be completed remotely, but lab skills assessments and patient-care rotations must occur at approved healthcare facilities. This means no legitimate LPN program in the state is 100 percent online.
Several ranked schools deliver their LPN curriculum through a hybrid approach. Fortis College-Columbus, ATA College-Cincinnati, American Institute of Alternative Medicine (AIAM), and Stautzenberger College-Brecksville all list a hybrid program type in current records. Beyond the ranked list, other Ohio institutions also advertise hybrid practical nursing tracks, including Academia Medical Institute in Columbus, United Career Institute, Professional Skills Institute in Toledo, and the RISE Partnership. Most of these programs span 9 to 15 months, with start dates throughout the year.
The typical hybrid structure divides the workload into three components: - Online lectures and coursework: Didactic material is delivered through a learning management system, covering anatomy, pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, and ethics. - Scheduled on-campus labs: Students attend in-person skills labs where they practice procedures like IV therapy, wound care, and vital sign assessment under instructor supervision. - Clinical rotations: The bulk of hands-on training happens at partner hospitals, long-term care facilities, or clinics, often during daytime or weekend shifts.
Hybrid programs may place students at clinical sites that are far from the campus or your home. In urban areas like Columbus or Cincinnati, multiple facilities keep commutes reasonable, but rural partnerships can mean a drive of 30 miles or more. Always ask the program coordinator for a list of current clinical affiliates and whether you can request a specific site. Verifying logistics upfront helps avoid scheduling conflicts or excessive travel once the program begins.
The NCLEX-PN is the national licensing exam that every practical nursing graduate must pass to earn the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credential. Ohio LPN programs report their first-time pass rates each year, giving you a clear window into how well a school prepares students for entry-to-practice. A consistently high pass rate points toward strong instruction, relevant clinical experiences, and effective test-preparation support. A lower rate may signal curriculum gaps or less individualized attention.
The primary source is the Ohio Board of Nursing. Its website (nursing.ohio.gov) publishes an annual report that lists NCLEX-PN pass rates by school for the most recent testing years, typically covering the last three to five years. Look for the "NCLEX Pass Rates" section or program review data. The report breaks out first-time test-takers and includes the number of graduates, so you can see both the percentage and the cohort size. A 100% pass rate means little if only four students sat for the exam that year; compare enrollment figures alongside the rate.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) also provides searchable pass rate information. You can filter by state, program type, and year, though you may need to select Ohio from a drop-down menu and then scroll through the results. NCSBN data tends to align with the Board’s numbers but offers an additional verification layer.
Another cross-reference point is the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). While IPEDS doesn’t show NCLEX-PN results directly, it does report program completers and can help you confirm the school’s overall LPN program size and graduation counts. Use this to double-check that the pass rate applies to a healthy, ongoing program rather than a single tiny cohort.
Most LPN programs list their NCLEX-PN pass rates on their nursing department webpages. If you can’t find them, email the program director or admissions office and ask for the last three years of first-time pass rates. Legitimate programs will share this information freely. Be wary of any school that hesitates or only provides a single year’s rate without context.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are one important metric, but they don’t tell the whole story. Consider them alongside program accreditation, clinical placement quality, graduate employment rates, and the total cost. A program with a modest but improving pass rate might still offer excellent value if it provides strong job placement support and affordable tuition. Use pass rates to narrow your list, then visit campus, talk to current students, and review the full curriculum before making your decision.
Ohio LPN program NCLEX-PN pass rates vary widely: some programs report rates below 70%, while top performers exceed 95%. Selecting a program with a strong track record increases your likelihood of passing on the first try and beginning your nursing career sooner.
Ohio employs 36,440 licensed practical nurses, with wages that span from entry-level to experienced roles. The table below breaks down annual wage percentiles for LPNs across the state based on the most recent occupational data. Program-specific graduate earnings are not yet available, so these statewide figures serve as a broad earning potential indicator.
| Wage Measure | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 25th Percentile | $53,930 |
| Median | $60,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,850 |
| Mean (Average) | $60,600 |
For many licensed practical nurses, the next logical career step is becoming a registered nurse. Ohio offers multiple bridge pathways that let you build on your LPN education and experience, earning an RN credential faster than starting from scratch.
Several schools featured in this year's ranking also operate bridge programs, providing a seamless transition for LPN graduates. Professional Skills Institute, Ohio Business College, Collins Career Technical Center, and Central Ohio Technical College all have LPN-to-RN options on campus or in hybrid formats.
Bridge programs are designed to maximize your prior learning. Ohio does not have a single statewide articulation agreement, but many schools use the Industry Transfer Assurance Guide (Industry TAG) to award credit for your LPN education and work experience. Here's how some programs handle advanced standing: - Ohio State University grants 20 credit hours toward its LPN-to-BSN for your LPN license and coursework, reducing the total to about 122 credits over two years. - Collins Career Technical Center offers an 11-month LPN-to-RN diploma that requires a current LPN license, one year of experience, and a passing TEAS score. - Stark State College provides day, evening, and weekend options for its LPN-to-ADN bridge, and the TEAS exam is part of the admission process. - Central Ohio Technical College structures its LPN-to-ADN pathway with 47 program hours out of 65 total, taking about 18 months.
The salary jump from LPN to RN in Ohio makes bridge programs a sound financial move. According to the latest data, Ohio's median annual wage for LPNs is approximately $52,000, while registered nurses earn a median of about $78,000, a nearly 50% increase. Since most bridge programs can be completed in 12 to 18 months, the additional earnings quickly offset the cost of tuition.
Once you hold an RN license, additional advancement paths become available. RN-to-BSN completion programs help associate-degree nurses earn their bachelor's, often online while working. For those considering graduate study, RN-to-MSN bridges and direct-entry master's programs exist. The nursing directory at topnursing.org covers top-ranked RN-to-BSN programs across the country, and also profiles nurse practitioner and other advanced practice specializations for longer-term career planning.
Choosing the right LPN program is a big decision. Below are answers to common questions about program length, cost, licensing, and career outlook in Ohio to help you move forward with confidence.
Beyond the top-ranked schools, Ohio has many more LPN programs across the state. The following directory lists additional options, from city campuses to hybrid formats. Contact schools directly to confirm current enrollment status, tuition, and NCLEX pass rates.
