Indiana at a Glance
Median LPN salary: ~$56,000/year → Median RN salary: ~$83,000/year (BLS data)
Your raise: ~$27,000/year | Cost of living 10% below national average | NLC compact state
Ivy Tech: 40+ campuses, $178–$215/credit, evening bridge at Bloomington | Next Level Jobs covers tuition
IN Board of Nursing: in.gov — Board of Nursing · (317) 234-2043
Fastest & Most Affordable LPN to RN Routes in Indiana
Ivy Tech dominates Indiana nursing education — 40+ campuses statewide, all offering the same accredited Transition to ASN program. No matter where you live in Indiana, there's an Ivy Tech campus within driving distance. The system graduates more associate-level nurses than any institution in America.
Ivy Tech Community College — LPN to ASN Transition (40+ Campuses Statewide)
This is the only institution you need to know about in Indiana. Ivy Tech's Transition to ASN accepts LPNs at 40+ campuses with one standardized curriculum. The Bloomington campus launched Indiana's first evening Transition to ASN cohort — perfect for working LPN moms. Applications due May 15 for fall evening start. Marion campus offers last-dollar aid covering 100% of tuition and fees. Next Level Jobs can cover tuition statewide. Pick the campus closest to your home — the program is the same everywhere.
Vincennes University — Practical Nursing to ASN Bridge
Vincennes University offers an alternative to Ivy Tech in southwestern Indiana. Strong hands-on clinical training. Community college pricing.
✅ Pro tip for working moms: Ivy Tech Bloomington's evening Transition to ASN is the only evening nursing bridge program in Indiana — designed specifically for LPNs who can't do daytime classes. If you're near Marion, their last-dollar aid covers 100% of tuition and fees after other aid is applied. Apply for Next Level Jobs at in.gov/dwd/workforce-ready-grant before applying to the nursing program.
Online Option: Excelsior University
Excelsior University — AAS in Nursing (Fully Online)
With Ivy Tech's 40+ campuses, most IN LPNs have a local option. Excelsior is a fallback for very rural areas.
⚠️ Important: Excelsior does not carry ACEN/CNEA accreditation at the associate level. IN employers (IU Health, Community Health Network, Franciscan Health) prefer accredited graduates. Ivy Tech has NLN CNEA accreditation. Use Ivy Tech if at all possible — it's cheaper and accredited.
Indiana LPN to RN Cost Comparison
| Program | Type | Estimated Total Cost | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech (40+ campuses) | Community College | ~$7,000–$12,000 | NLN CNEA, evening at Bloomington |
| Ivy Tech Marion | Community College | $0 (last-dollar aid) | 100% tuition+fees covered |
| Vincennes University | Public University | ~$8,000–$14,000 | Southwestern IN |
| Excelsior University | Online | ~$7,400–$15,000+ | Fallback for very rural areas |
Next Level Jobs (Workforce Ready Grant) can cover tuition at Ivy Tech statewide. IN cost of living is 10% below national average. Pell Grants stack on top.
Indiana LPN vs RN Salary: Low Cost of Living = Real Purchasing Power
Indiana's nominal salaries are below national median, but 10% below-average cost of living stretches every dollar. Based on BLS data:
| Level | LPN Salary | RN Salary | Your Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level | ~$43,000 | ~$62,000 | +$19,000 |
| Median | ~$56,000 | ~$83,000 | +$27,000 |
| Top earners | ~$68,000 | ~$108,000 | +$40,000 |
📊 The Indiana math: Ivy Tech tuition (~$7,000–$12,000) with Next Level Jobs or last-dollar aid = potentially $0. Your $27,000 raise in a state with 10% below-average cost of living has the purchasing power of $30,000 in an average-cost state. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Evansville all have growing RN demand.
Top IN employers: IU Health (Indiana's largest health system), Community Health Network, Franciscan Health, Ascension St. Vincent, Parkview Health (Fort Wayne). Indianapolis is the 2nd largest city in the Midwest after Chicago.
What You Need to Get In (Indiana Requirements)
- Active Indiana LPN license (Indiana is an NLC compact state)
- Ivy Tech accepts: LPNs, paramedics, military medics, CMAs (CMA-AAMA)
- Prerequisite courses: A&P I & II, English, General Psychology, Math — C or higher
- TEAS entrance exam
- Background check and drug screening
- CPR/BLS certification
- Immunizations + health clearance
✅ Ivy Tech accepts more than just LPNs. Paramedics, military medics, and certified medical assistants (CMA-AAMA) also qualify for the Transition to ASN program. If you have a family member in one of those roles, share this page.
Paying for It: Indiana Financial Aid
- Next Level Jobs (Workforce Ready Grant): Can cover tuition and mandatory fees for healthcare programs at Ivy Tech. Apply at in.gov/dwd/workforce-ready-grant.
- Ivy Tech Marion last-dollar aid: Covers 100% of tuition and fees for eligible RN students after other aid is applied.
- Pell Grants: Up to $7,395/year. Complete the FAFSA.
- Employer tuition: IU Health, Community Health Network, Franciscan, Ascension all offer tuition reimbursement.
📋 Real math: Next Level Jobs ($0 tuition) + Pell Grant ($7,395/year for books/living) = you get paid to go to school. Even without Next Level Jobs, Ivy Tech's $178/credit tuition is among the lowest in the Midwest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ivy Tech's Transition to ASN program?
A bridge program at 40+ campuses accepting LPNs, paramedics, military medics, and CMAs. Same curriculum statewide. $178–$215/credit. Evening cohort at Bloomington. Graduates more associate-level nurses than any institution in America.
Does Next Level Jobs cover nursing tuition?
Yes. Indiana's Next Level Jobs (Workforce Ready Grant) can cover tuition and fees for healthcare programs at Ivy Tech. The Marion campus additionally offers last-dollar aid covering 100% of remaining costs.
Is there an evening LPN to RN program in Indiana?
Yes — Ivy Tech Bloomington launched Indiana's first evening Transition to ASN cohort. Applications due May 15 for fall start. Contact bloomington-nursing@ivytech.edu.
Is Indiana a Nurse Licensure Compact state?
Yes. Your IN RN multistate license works in 40+ states including neighboring OH, KY, and MI.
Indiana Board of Nursing Contact
Indiana State Board of Nursing
IN RN licenses renew every 2 years. Indiana is an NLC compact state. The Board operates under the Professional Licensing Agency.
What's Next After Your RN? Keep Climbing.
Getting your RN is a major milestone — but it's not the ceiling. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, three pathways open up that each come with another salary jump:
RN → BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Most RN-to-BSN programs are 100% online, designed for working RNs. You keep your RN job and paycheck while finishing your bachelor's. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for BSN completion. Magnet hospitals require a BSN-prepared nursing workforce.
RN → MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
Some programs let you go directly from RN to MSN (skipping a separate BSN). An MSN qualifies you for advanced practice roles with significantly higher pay. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn a national median of $137,300/year (BLS 2025).
The Full Career Ladder: LPN → RN → BSN → NP
The LPN-to-RN bridge you're starting now is the first rung. Each step up adds $30,000–$40,000 in annual salary. Many nurses complete this entire journey in 5–7 years while working full-time at each level. You don't have to do it all at once — each credential pays for the next one.
What's Next After Your RN? Keep Climbing.
Getting your RN is a major milestone — but it's not the ceiling. Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, three pathways open up that each come with another salary jump:
RN → BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Most RN-to-BSN programs are 100% online, designed for working RNs. You keep your RN job and paycheck while finishing your bachelor's. Many employers offer tuition reimbursement for BSN completion. Magnet hospitals require a BSN-prepared nursing workforce.
RN → MSN (Master of Science in Nursing)
Some programs let you go directly from RN to MSN (skipping a separate BSN). An MSN qualifies you for advanced practice roles with significantly higher pay. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) earn a national median of $137,300/year (BLS 2025).
The Full Career Ladder: LPN → RN → BSN → NP
The LPN-to-RN bridge you're starting now is the first rung. Each step up adds $30,000–$40,000 in annual salary. Many nurses complete this entire journey in 5–7 years while working full-time at each level. You don't have to do it all at once — each credential pays for the next one.
Find LPN to RN Programs in Other States
Looking for programs outside Indiana? We have dedicated guides for all 50 states plus Washington D.C.