Nevada's community colleges offer the most affordable and reliable path to your LPN license — with NCLEX-PN pass rates that compete with programs costing three times as much. College of Southern Nevada serves 75% of the state's population across three Las Vegas valley campuses at just $5,000–$8,000 total tuition. Casino and resort healthcare facilities create LPN employment opportunities unique to Nevada, while rapid population growth keeps demand high. Community colleges are where smart nursing students start.
🏫 Community College = Best Value🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$5K Tuition✅ NCLEX-PN Approved
If you're researching LPN programs in Nevada, community colleges should be at the top of your list — and there's a reason working nurses and career changers choose them over private schools every time. Community college LPN programs in Nevada cost a fraction of for-profit alternatives while delivering the same Board-approved curriculum, the same clinical hours, and often stronger NCLEX-PN pass rates. The College of Southern Nevada alone operates three campuses across the Las Vegas valley — Henderson, North Las Vegas, and the main campus — putting an affordable nursing education within driving distance of most of Clark County's 2.3 million residents. In northern Nevada, Truckee Meadows Community College serves the Reno-Sparks metro with similarly affordable tuition and clinical partnerships with Renown Health, the region's largest employer. Great Basin College extends access to rural Nevada communities that private schools ignore entirely. These aren't backup options — they're the primary pipeline that Nevada hospitals rely on for their nursing workforce. When you see a "6-month" or "fast-track" LPN program advertised online, understand that no Nevada Board-approved program finishes in under 10 months. Community colleges give you the real timeline at the real price, with clinical placements at actual Nevada hospitals where you'll work after graduation. Nevada is an NLC compact state, so your LPN license also works in neighboring Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and 40+ other states.
✅ Our Recommendation: Start With Community Colleges
Community colleges offer the lowest tuition, strong NCLEX-PN pass rates, and clinical placements at local hospitals where you'll likely work after graduation. They are the best value for most students. The programs listed in the school cards below are our top picks.
🔄 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. They cost more, but they solve the scheduling problem that stops working adults from starting. These are sponsored listings — schools pay to appear here.
By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests. Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear.
~$6K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$71K+
Avg. NV LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Nevada
Nevada'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 Nevada 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 Nevada
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
College of Southern Nevada
📍 Las Vegas
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$6,400Clinical: Clark County hospitals
Truckee Meadows CC
📍 Reno
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$6,200Clinical: Washoe County
Nevada LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
Nevada State 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 Nevada
Licensed Practical Nurses in Nevada earn an average of $71,460/year ($34.36/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Las Vegas: $73,200/year
Reno: $69,800/year
Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, physician offices
Community colleges cost a fraction of private programs ($5,000–$8,000 vs. $18,000–$35,000), 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 Nevada State Board of Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Nevada 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 Nevada State Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
🔄 Still Exploring? Compare Flexible LPN Programs
We recommend community colleges first. If you need a different schedule, start date, or online option — these accredited programs may work for you. Sponsored listings.
Sponsored listings — schools pay to appear. By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
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