~$7K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$62K+
Avg. PA LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the PA State Board of Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
Community College of Philadelphia
📍 Philadelphia
Length: 12 months
Format: Online theory + local clinicals
Cost: ~$7,200
Clinical: Philadelphia County hospitals
Bucks County CC
📍 Newtown
Length: 12 months
Format: Online theory + local clinicals
Cost: ~$7,800
Clinical: Bucks County facilities
HACC – Central PA CC
📍 Harrisburg
Length: 12 months
Format: Online theory + local clinicals
Cost: ~$7,400
Clinical: Dauphin County partners
Delaware County CC
📍 Media
Length: 12 months
Format: Online theory + local clinicals
Cost: ~$7,600
Clinical: Delaware County facilities
Career Tech Center of Lackawanna
📍 Scranton
Length: 12 months
Format: Online theory + local clinicals
Cost: ~$9,200
Clinical: Lackawanna County hospitals
Pennsylvania LPN Licensure Requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | PA State Board of Nursing |
| Program Accreditation | Must be state board-approved |
| Minimum Clinical Hours | 400–500 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 |
LPN Salary in Pennsylvania
Licensed Practical Nurses in Pennsylvania earn an average of $62,550/year ($30.07/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
- Philadelphia: $66,200/year
- Pittsburgh: $63,800/year
- Allentown: $62,400/year
- Harrisburg: $61,200/year
- Top employers: Skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, physician offices
After gaining experience, many Pennsylvania LPNs advance through bridge programs. Explore Pennsylvania LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs →
Frequently Asked Questions
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 PA State Board of Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Pennsylvania 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 PA State Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.