The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) is the only public nursing program in the state — and Rhode Island LPNs earn $80,090 median, the 4th highest in the country. CCRI operates 4 campuses (Warwick, Providence, Newport, Lincoln) with ACEN accreditation and a brand-new LPN-to-RN bridge option. In a state this small, every hospital is within 45 minutes. NOT an NLC state, but RI's exceptional LPN pay makes staying local the smart financial play.
🏫 Community College = Best Value🏥 Local Clinical Placement💰 From ~$5K✅ Accredited Programs
If you're researching LPN programs in Rhode Island, CCRI is your primary option — and it's a strong one. The Community College of Rhode Island is the only public nursing program in the state, operating 4 campuses across Warwick, Providence, Newport, and Lincoln with ACEN accreditation. Rhode Island LPNs earn $80,090 median salary — the 4th highest in the entire country, well above the national median of $64,400. Lifespan (Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital), Care New England (Women & Infants, Kent Hospital), and CharterCARE Health Partners all recruit from CCRI because it's the state's nursing pipeline. Rhode Island is small enough that every hospital in the state is within a 45-minute drive from any CCRI campus — you're never far from clinical placements or job opportunities. Private LPN programs charge significantly more for the same Board-approved curriculum. CCRI's community college tuition combined with Rhode Island's exceptional LPN salaries creates one of the best ROI equations in New England. No Rhode Island Board-approved LPN program finishes in under 10 months. Rhode Island is NOT an NLC compact state — your license works only in RI — but with the 4th-highest LPN pay in the country, staying local is the financially smart choice.
🔄 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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~$7K
Avg. Program Cost
10–12
Months (Fastest)
$77K+
Avg. RI LPN Salary
NCLEX-PN
Licensure Exam
How Community College LPN Programs Work in Rhode Island
Rhode Island'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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
All schools listed are accredited and approved by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing. Verify current enrollment status directly with each school.
Community College of Rhode Island
📍 Warwick
HybridCommunity College
Length: 12 monthsFormat: Online theory + local clinicalsCost: ~$6,800Clinical: Kent County & Providence
Rhode Island LPN Licensure Requirements
Requirement
Detail
Governing Body
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Licensed Practical Nurses in Rhode Island earn an average of $77,240/year ($37.14/hour) according to the BLS. Salaries vary by city, experience, and work setting.
Providence: $78,400/year
Warwick: $76,800/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 Rhode Island Board of Nursing, you schedule your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson VUE. Testing centers are located in major Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island Board of Nursing before enrolling. This page may contain affiliate links.
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