Mississippi may be the single cheapest state in the country to become an LPN. 15 community colleges charge $3,000–$6,000 total tuition with the lowest cost of living in the entire US. Mississippi has the highest LPN-per-capita ratio in the nation — LPNs are the backbone of healthcare delivery here. NLC compact state.
🏫 Community College = Best Value🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$4K✅ Accredited Programs
If you're researching LPN programs in Mississippi, community colleges should be at the top of your list — and Mississippi's rock-bottom costs make it one of the best-value states for nursing education anywhere in the country. The state's 15 community colleges charge $3,000–$6,000 total tuition for practical nursing programs, and with the lowest cost of living in the entire United States, your education costs and living expenses are both minimal. East Mississippi CC, Hinds CC (Jackson metro), Pearl River CC, and Meridian CC all deliver Board-approved training at tuition rates that Pell Grants cover entirely for most students. Mississippi has the highest number of LPNs per capita of any state — meaning LPNs play a central role in healthcare delivery, especially in rural communities. Baptist Health, Merit Health, Singing River Health System, and UMMC all recruit from community college programs. No Mississippi Board-approved LPN program finishes in under 10 months. Mississippi is an NLC compact state — your license works in Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, 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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~$4K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$49K+
Avg. MS LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Mississippi
Mississippi'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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the Mississippi Board of Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
Hinds Community College
📍 Raymond
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$4,200Clinical: Hinds County partners
Pearl River CC
📍 Poplarville
CampusCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Full campus attendanceCost: ~$4,400Clinical: Local facilities
Mississippi LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Program Accreditation
Must be state board-approved
Minimum Clinical Hours
400 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 Mississippi
Licensed Practical Nurses in Mississippi earn an average of $49,960/year ($24.02/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Jackson: $52,400/year
Gulfport: $50,800/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 Mississippi Board of Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Mississippi 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 Mississippi Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
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