Idaho's community colleges deliver affordable LPN training in one of the fastest-growing states in the country. College of Eastern Idaho offers a bridge as short as 9 months. North Idaho College admits twice yearly. College of Western Idaho and College of Southern Idaho extend access statewide. St. Luke's and Saint Alphonsus (Boise) recruit directly from these programs. NLC compact state covering the entire Mountain West.
🏫 Community College = Best Value🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$5K✅ Accredited Programs
If you're researching LPN programs in Idaho, community colleges should be at the top of your list — and Idaho's explosive population growth means healthcare employers are competing for graduates. College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls, North Idaho College in Coeur d'Alene, College of Western Idaho in Nampa (Boise metro), and College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls deliver Board-approved LPN training at community college tuition rates across every region of the state. St. Luke's Health System — Idaho's largest employer, headquartered in Boise — and Saint Alphonsus Health System both recruit directly from these community college programs and offer tuition reimbursement for employees. North Idaho College admits PN students twice per year, giving you more scheduling flexibility than programs with a single annual start date. Boise is one of the fastest-growing metros in the US, driving continuous expansion in healthcare hiring. Private programs charge $20,000–$35,000 for the same Board-approved curriculum. No Idaho Board-approved LPN program finishes in under 9 months (CEI's accelerated track is the fastest in the state). Idaho is an NLC compact state, so your license works in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Washington, and 35+ other states.
🔄 Need More Flexibility? Compare Online & Evening Programs
Community colleges are the best deal — but they often have waitlists, limited seats, and 1–2 start dates per year. If you need evening/weekend classes, multiple start dates, or online coursework with clinicals arranged near you, these accredited programs fill that gap. Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear.
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~$6K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$59K+
Avg. ID LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Idaho
Idaho's community college LPN programs run 10–14 months depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. Here's what to expect:
Accelerated full-time: Classes and clinicals 4–5 days/week, 10–12 month completion
Hybrid/online theory: Study lectures at home, attend clinicals on set days — still 11–14 months
Evening/weekend tracks: Designed for working adults, typically 14–18 months
Community colleges in Idaho offer some of the most affordable paths — often under $8,000 total tuition for in-district students. Private nursing schools cost more but sometimes offer faster schedules and more flexible clinical placement.
Accredited LPN Schools in Idaho
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the Idaho Board of Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
College of Western Idaho
📍 Nampa
HybridCommunity College
Length: 11 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$6,200Clinical: Treasure Valley partners
College of Eastern Idaho
📍 Idaho Falls
HybridCommunity College
Length: 11 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$5,800Clinical: Eastern ID facilities
Idaho LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
Idaho Board of Nursing
Program Accreditation
Must be state board-approved
Minimum Clinical Hours
360 hours
Licensure Exam
NCLEX-PN (Pearson VUE)
Background Check
Required prior to clinical placement
CPR Certification
Required before clinical start
Drug Screening
Required by most clinical partner facilities
Immunizations
Per program/facility requirements
🔄 Can't Get Into a Community College Program? Compare Alternatives
Waitlisted? Need evening classes or a different start date? These programs offer flexible schedules and online options with local clinicals. Sponsored listings.
Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear. By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
LPN Salary in Idaho
Licensed Practical Nurses in Idaho earn an average of $59,340/year ($28.53/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Boise: $61,800/year
Idaho Falls: $57,400/year
Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, physician offices
Community colleges cost a fraction of private programs, deliver the same Board-approved curriculum and clinical hours, and often have equal or better NCLEX-PN pass rates. They also place you at local hospitals where you'll likely work after graduation. The only downside: waitlists and limited start dates. If you can get a seat, a community college is almost always the best choice.
The fastest accredited programs run about 10–12 months for full-time students. Some accelerated tracks at technical colleges can get close to 10 months, but you'll be in class and clinicals nearly every day. Part-time or hybrid programs typically take 14–18 months.
Community college programs often run $4,000–$12,000 for in-district students. Private and nationally accredited programs can range from $18,000–$35,000. Financial aid, grants, and employer tuition assistance may be available.
After graduating from an approved program and applying through the Idaho Board of Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Idaho cities.
Hybrid programs that combine online theory with in-person clinicals are legitimate and approved by state boards. However, any program claiming to be 100% online with no clinical requirement is not accredited and will not qualify you for NCLEX-PN or licensure.
⚠️ Data Disclaimer: Salary figures, tuition costs, program lengths, and school information are gathered from publicly available sources and intended as general guidance. Program availability, accreditation, and tuition are subject to change — verify details with the school and Idaho Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
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