Complete Guide: Salaries, Programs & Fast ROI
Kansas LPNs earn $55,419/year while RNs earn $78,810/year—a $23,391 annual increase (42%). Wichita: LPN $57k-$65k, RN $80k-$90k. Kansas City Metro: LPN $58k-$66k, RN $82k-$92k. Topeka: LPN $54k-$62k, RN $76k-$86k. Travel RNs: $1,500-$2,100/week.
Location: Overland Park (KC Metro) | Duration: 12-15 months | Cost: $10k-$13k
Website: jccc.edu
Fall 2027 applications open. Summer 2026 Bridge. Quick path from LPN to RN.
Location: Concordia | Duration: 12-18 months | Cost: $8k-$11k
Website: cloud.edu
Hold current KS LPN license. Complete nursing prerequisites. Affordable.
Location: Fort Scott (SE Kansas) | Duration: 15-18 months | Cost: $9k-$12k
Campus-based pathway. Licensed practical nurses advance to RN roles.
Location: Atchison | Duration: 12-15 months | Cost: $8.5k-$11.5k
Website: highlandcc.edu
Fall & Spring admission. Technical Center in Atchison. Twice-yearly cohorts.
Location: Salina (Central KS) | Duration: 9 months (full-time) | Cost: $9k-$12k
Website: salinatech.edu
Fast 9-month track. Bridge from LPN to RN. Full-time accelerated program.
Location: Wichita | Duration: 12-18 months | Cost: $11k-$15k
Website: wsutech.edu
Seamless LPN to ADN transition. WSU Tech offers structured bridge program.
Location: Kansas City, KS | Duration: 15-18 months | Cost: $10k-$13k
LPN/Paramedic/RRT to RN pathway. Applications due Jan 31 (Fall) / Jul 31 (Spring).
Prerequisites: Active KS LPN license, HS diploma/GED, A&P I & II, Micro, Chemistry, English, Psych (C or better). TEAS: 60-70%. Additional: Background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR, health exam.
Federal: Pell Grant $7,395/year; Loans; Work-Study. Kansas: Kansas Comprehensive Grant up to $3,500/year. Nursing: HRSA Nurse Corps, hospital scholarships. Employers: $2,500-$6,500/year (University of Kansas Health, Ascension Via Christi, Stormont Vail, Hays Med).
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RN Growth: 7-10%. Annual Openings: ~3,000 RN positions. Major Employers: University of Kansas Health System ($78k-$90k), Ascension Via Christi ($76k-$88k), Stormont Vail Health ($74k-$86k), Hays Medical Center ($72k-$84k). Specialties: ICU ($82k-$98k), ED ($80k-$95k), OR ($81k-$96k).
Process: Graduate → Apply to KS Board → Background check → NCLEX-RN → RN license. Pass Rate: KS 86-89%. Renewal: Every 2 years; 30 CE hours required. eNLC: Yes—practice in 40+ states.
Competitive salaries + low cost of living: Your $78k goes far. eNLC: 40+ states. Affordable education: $8k-$14k for ADN. Quality of life: Low taxes, affordable housing, friendly communities. Career growth: Wichita, KC Metro, Topeka.
Investment: ADN $11k avg; Books $1k; NCLEX $400; Licensing $150 = Total $12,550. Return: $23,391/year. Break-Even: 6 months. Lifetime: $935,640 over 40 years.
Now: Research programs, assess prerequisites. 3-6 months: Complete courses, take TEAS, apply for aid. Apply: 2-4 programs. Post-grad: NCLEX review, pass exam, apply RN jobs.
ROI: 6 months. Lifetime gain: $935,640+.
Explore Kansas LPN-to-RN ProgramsBy submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.
By submitting, you agree to receive information from schools that match your interests.