Cheapest LPN to RN Programs by State [2025 Guide]

Why Community Colleges Are Your Best Bet

Community College Advantages:

• 💰 Lowest tuition: $100-$150 per credit hour (vs. $400-$800 at private schools)
• 🏅 Same NCLEX pass rates: Often 85-92% (same as expensive schools)
• ✅ Same RN license: Employers can't tell where you went to school
• 📚 ACEN/CCNE accredited: Fully recognized credentials
• 🌍 Local clinical sites: No relocation needed
• 💵 Financial aid friendly: Pell Grants cover 50-100% of tuition

Cost Breakdown Example (Community College):

Expense	Cost
Tuition (30-40 credits @ $120/credit)	$3,600-$4,800
Fees (registration, lab, technology)	$1,500-$2,500
Books & Materials	$800-$1,200
Uniforms, Stethoscope, Supplies	$300-$500
Background Check, Drug Screen	$100-$200
NCLEX-RN Exam & License	$300-$400
TOTAL	$6,600-$9,600

Compare to private schools: $25,000-$40,000 for the SAME RN license.

🏆 Top 20 Cheapest LPN to RN Programs (2025)

Rank	School	State	Tuition (Total)	Length	NCLEX Pass Rate
1	Polk State College	Florida	$5,200-$8,500	11 months	88%
2	South Texas College	Texas	$6,000-$10,000	12 months	89%
3	Blinn College	Texas	$6,500-$10,500	12 months	90%
4	Houston Community College	Texas	$7,000-$11,000	12 months	87%
5	Central Piedmont CC	North Carolina	$7,500-$11,500	12 months	91%
6	Florida Gateway College	Florida	$8,000-$12,000	12 months	87%
7	St. Petersburg College	Florida	$8,500-$13,000	12 months	89%
8	Hillsborough CC	Florida	$9,000-$13,500	12 months	88%
9	Georgia Piedmont Tech	Georgia	$9,500-$14,000	12 months	86%
10	Gateway CC	Connecticut	$10,000-$15,000	9 months	88%
11	North Dakota State College of Science	North Dakota	$10,500-$15,500	12 months	92%
12	Mississippi Gulf Coast CC	Mississippi	$11,000-$16,000	12 months	85%
13	Pima Community College	Arizona	$11,500-$16,500	12 months	87%
14	Sinclair Community College	Ohio	$12,000-$17,000	12 months	89%
15	Lake Michigan College	Michigan	$12,500-$17,500	12 months	88%
16	Lorain County CC	Ohio	$13,000-$18,000	12 months	86%
17	Spokane Community College	Washington	$13,500-$18,500	12 months	90%
18	Portland Community College	Oregon	$14,000-$19,000	12 months	88%
19	College of Southern Nevada	Nevada	$14,500-$19,500	12 months	87%
20	Indiana State University	Indiana	$15,000-$20,000	12 months	92%

🏅 Best Overall Value: Polk State College (FL) - Only $5,200-$8,500 with 88% NCLEX pass rate!

🏅 Best NCLEX Rate (Cheap): North Dakota State College ($10.5k-$15.5k, 92% pass rate)

See How to Pay Even Less →

📍 Cheapest LPN to RN Programs by State

⚠️ Hidden Costs to Budget For

Don't get surprised! Beyond tuition, expect these additional expenses:

Hidden Cost	Estimated Amount	Tips to Reduce
Books & Study Materials	$800-$1,500	Buy used, rent, or use library copies
Uniforms & Scrubs	$150-$300	Shop sales, use from LPN program
Nursing Supplies	$200-$400	Stethoscope, scissors, penlight, etc.
Background Check & Drug Screen	$100-$200	Often required multiple times
Immunizations & TB Tests	$100-$300	Use insurance, county health dept
CPR Certification	$50-$100	Renew if expired
Parking Permits (Campus + Clinical)	$200-$500	Carpool, public transit
Gas/Transportation to Clinicals	$500-$1,200	Find clinical sites close to home
Lost Income (if reducing work)	$10,000-$30,000	Save in advance, employer support
NCLEX-RN Exam Fee	$200	Can't avoid, but only pay once
RN License Application	$100-$200	Varies by state
TOTAL HIDDEN COSTS	$2,600-$5,700

💡 Real Total Cost Example:

• Polk State College tuition: $8,500
• + Hidden costs: $4,000
• = True total cost: $12,500

Still WAY cheaper than $30,000-$40,000 private schools!

💵 How to Pay Even Less: Financial Aid Strategies

1. Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)

Apply at: studentaid.gov

Pell Grant (Free Money, No Repayment):

• Max award: $7,395/year (2024-25)
• Eligibility: Income-based (most LPNs qualify)
• Example: Pell Grant ($7,395) covers 100% of Polk State tuition ($8,500) + $6,895 left over for expenses

Federal Student Loans (Low Interest, Flexible):

• Subsidized loans: 0% interest while in school
• Unsubsidized loans: 5-7% interest (still better than private loans)
• Max borrowing: $12,500/year for independent students

2. State-Specific Grants & Scholarships

Florida:

• Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG): Up to $2,000/year
• Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness: Work 2 years in underserved area, get 100% forgiven

Texas:

• TEXAS Grant: Up to $5,000/year
• Nursing Shortage Reduction Program: $3,000-$5,000

North Carolina:

• NC Need-Based Scholarship: Up to $3,000/year
• Nursing Scholars Program: $3,000-$5,000

3. Nursing-Specific Scholarships

1. HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship:
   • Covers: 100% tuition + monthly stipend
   • Commitment: Work 2 years at approved facility
   • Apply: HRSA Nurse Corps
2. Tylenol Future Care Scholarship:
   • Award: $5,000-$10,000
   • Deadline: Typically May
3. National Black Nurses Association:
   • Award: $1,000-$5,000
4. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses:
   • Award: $1,500-$3,000
5. Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association:
   • Award: $1,000-$5,000

4. Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Many hospitals/nursing homes offer:

• 💰 $3,000-$10,000/year tuition assistance
• 📚 Book reimbursement
• ⏰ Flexible scheduling during school
• 🤝 Guaranteed RN job after graduation

Commitment: Usually work 1-2 years as RN after graduation (worth it!)

How to ask:

1. Talk to HR or nursing director
2. Ask: "Does our facility offer tuition reimbursement for LPNs pursuing RN?"
3. Get it in writing (contract)

5. Military Benefits

• GI Bill (Veterans): Covers 100% tuition + housing allowance
• National Guard State Tuition Assistance: Varies by state, often 100% coverage
• Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA): Up to $4,000

Real-World Financial Aid Example:

✅ How to Choose the Cheapest Program (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Step 1: Verify Accreditation (NON-NEGOTIABLE)

Only attend programs accredited by:

• ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing)
• CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)

Why: Unaccredited programs = can't take NCLEX = no RN license

Step 2: Check NCLEX Pass Rates

Minimum acceptable: 80% first-time pass rate

Target: 85%+ (national average is 87%)

Where to check: Your state's Board of Nursing website

Step 3: Calculate TRUE Total Cost

Use this formula:

• Tuition & fees
• + Books & supplies ($1,000-$2,000)
• + Transportation/parking ($500-$1,500)
• + Lost income (if reducing work hours)
• - Financial aid (FAFSA, scholarships, employer)
• = Your out-of-pocket cost

Step 4: Prioritize In-State Community Colleges

Why:

• ✅ 50-70% cheaper than out-of-state or private
• ✅ Same NCLEX pass rates
• ✅ Same RN license (employers can't tell difference)
• ✅ Local clinical sites (no relocation)

Step 5: Ask About Payment Plans

Most community colleges offer:

• 💳 Interest-free payment plans (pay tuition monthly)
• 📅 Deferred payment (pay after financial aid processes)
• 🎓 Senior citizen discounts (50+ years old, some states)

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are cheap LPN to RN programs lower quality?

A: No. Community colleges often have:

• ✅ Same NCLEX pass rates as expensive private schools (85-92%)
• ✅ Same accreditation (ACEN/CCNE)
• ✅ Same RN license (employers can't tell where you went)
• ✅ Experienced faculty (many with MSN/DNP degrees)

Why they're cheaper: State-funded, lower overhead, mission to serve community

Q: Can I really go from LPN to RN for under $10,000?

A: Yes! Examples:

• Polk State College (FL): $5,200-$8,500
• South Texas College: $6,000-$10,000
• Blinn College (TX): $6,500-$10,500

With financial aid: Many students pay $0 out-of-pocket (Pell Grant covers 100%)

Q: What if I live in an expensive state (CA, NY, MA)?

A: Options:

1. Attend in-state community college:
   • California: $8,000-$15,000 (vs. $30k-$40k private)
   • New York: $10,000-$18,000
   • Massachusetts: $12,000-$20,000
2. Online hybrid programs:
   • Excelsior University (NY): $24k-$30k (self-paced, no campus)
3. Relocate temporarily:
   • Establish residency in cheap state (TX, FL) for 6-12 months
   • Enroll at in-state rates ($6k-$10k)

Q: Are there any completely free LPN to RN programs?

A: Yes, with the right financial aid:

• HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship: 100% tuition + monthly stipend (work 2 years post-grad)
• Pell Grant + State Grant combo: Can cover $10k+ (exceeds cost of cheapest programs)
• Employer-sponsored: Some hospitals pay 100% tuition (work commitment required)

Q: Should I choose the absolute cheapest program?

A: Not always. Consider:

• ✅ NCLEX pass rate (must be 80%+)
• ✅ Clinical site quality (hospital vs. nursing home)
• ✅ Schedule flexibility (can you work part-time?)
• ✅ Location (transportation costs add up)

Example: A $12k program with 90% NCLEX pass rate is better than $8k with 70% pass rate.

🚀 Start Your Affordable LPN to RN Journey

Action Steps:

1. Apply for FAFSA: studentaid.gov (opens October 1)
2. Research 3-5 cheap programs in your state (use our list above)
3. Request info packets from community colleges
4. Verify accreditation (ACEN/CCNE only)
5. Check NCLEX pass rates (state board of nursing website)
6. Ask employer about tuition reimbursement
7. Apply to 2-3 programs (increase acceptance odds)

💡 Pro Tips:

• Apply early: Community college programs fill up 6-12 months ahead
• Complete prerequisites: A&P, Microbiology, etc. (saves time + money)
• Start saving: Even $2,000-$3,000 covers most out-of-pocket costs
• Talk to current students: Ask about hidden costs, workload, clinical sites

Related Articles:

• 6-Month LPN to RN Programs
• Online/Hybrid Programs
• Accelerated Programs
• Salary Increase Calculator

Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA) →