LPN Programs in Pennsylvania – Schools, Salary, and License Info

LPN Programs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers professional nursing services by improving knowledge and skills in the field.

The state does that by establishing rules in order to impact healthcare workers and patients.

In general, LPNs here are experiencing significant growth.

This growth is seen with the percentage of %12 of future employment by 2026, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests.

So, the way to become an LPN is first to attend a practical nursing program anywhere across the state.

In addition, LPNs in Pennsylvania earn $21.43 per hour.

To go further, they earn $44,570 per year.

These two in total make up $540 more yearly, compared to the national US average.

With this information given, would you consider pursuing an LPN in Pennsylvania?

If yes, I will kindly ask you to consider choosing the right school for you.

By that, I mean one that offers approved programs.

These schools can mainly found in community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools.

In total there are 53 LPN schools across the state.

But I have only listed the top-20 programs available in this country.

The listing has been made after a close review of the NCLEX-PN exam.

In this exam, the first-time pass rates of these previous years have been the focus of analysis for the article.

Details on Pennsylvania LPN Schools & Classes

Pennsylvania offers many nursing educational schools to interested students.

But of course, high-quality programs can be found only in certain areas.

These areas can be community colleges, trade schools, and similar places.

Attending a nursing program takes one year and less.

It all depends on whether the program is part-time or full-time.

Usually, 50 credits are the optimal number to reach in every LPN program that you take.

As the program starts, nursing theory along with other similar topics will be taught.

While students will also need to take lab studies or take part in clinical at local medical centers.

From the course titles you will find include the following:

  • Human Anatomy & Physiology
  • Human Growth and Development
  • General Psychology
  • Concepts in Practical Nursing
  • Basic Microbiology

Accreditation

The key element in a nursing program is accreditation.

Accredited programs are considered as of high academic standards and will elevate the resume of the student in the future too.

In Pennsylvania, accrediting organizations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (AECN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) are in charge of the issue.

But students may also benefit from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing as an accrediting body in the state.

Admission Requirements

Different LPN schools have different admission requirements for the students.

The most common, however, include these:

  • Documented high school diploma or GED
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • Satisfactory TEAS score
  • Personal interview with staff/faculty

Tuition and Costs

Attending LPN programs takes both time and money.

Though the costs differ from school to school, tuition and additional fees such as application and graduation fees, along with other materials are in the responsibility of the student.

However, students who cannot manage to make these payments, the schools offer financial aid, loans, and scholarships.

As far as cost is concerned, the LPN program through the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology in Media goes around $24,000 in total.

This includes tuition, fees, and supplies.

Pennsylvania LPN Licensing Requirements

From the LPN requirements in Pennsylvania are to be mentioned the high school diploma or an equivalent GED, a complete board-approved program, which needs to have 1500 hours, along with less than a year of coursework.

As soon as the candidate finishes coursework, as a graduate student, he or she must submit the Pennsylvania Exam/TTP application to the Board of Nursing.

The next step is registering for and taking the NCLEX exam.

As soon as he or she passes it, the applications have been accepted, as well as the criminal background check has been submitted, the candidate will be given the license.

LPN licenses, however, do not last forever.

In Pennsylvania, they usually expire on June 30th of even-numbered years.

Unlike other US countries, renewal is not applicable here.

NCLEX Exam Information

NCLEX-PN exam is a must for graduate LPN licensure.

The exam is meant to measure the student’s understanding of the practical nursing curriculum as part of the LPN program.

Before taking this exam, students can also take the NCLEX-PN practice test, as a preparation test for the final one.

LPN Reciprocity and eNLC

Pennsylvania is not yet part of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC).

The compact, in essence, is an agreement between states that allows license between them.

Out-of-state LPNs can apply for licensure by endorsement.

They can do so as long as they submit the following documents:

  • Proof of licensure from another state with an education equivalent to Pennsylvania
  • Hasn’t allowed their most current license to lapse more than 5 years and have fulfilled continuing competency requirements
  • Passed the NCLEX

LPN’s that come from other countries, must verify their educational courses through the Board.

This verification is based on the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation.

The Best LPN Schools in Pennsylvania

There are 50 LPN schools across Pennsylvania.

However, in this article, I have listed only the top-twenty of them.

The reason behind this selection lies in the fact that these offer both approved and accredited programs.

School NameAddress
Pennsylvania Institute of Health & Technology1015 Industrial Park Drive, Mt Braddock, PA 15465
Community College of Beaver County1 Campus Drive, Monaca, PA 15061
Crawford County Career & Technical Center860 Thurston Road, Meadville, PA 16335
Indiana County Technology Center441 Hamill Road, Indiana, PA 15701
Chester County Intermediate Unit443 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
Fortis Institute - Erie5757 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506
Harrisburg Area Community CollegeOne HACC Drive , Harrisburg, PA 17110
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County3201 Rockwell Avenue, Scranton, PA 18508
Lehigh Carbon Community College4525 Education Park Drive, Schnecksville, PA 18078
Franklin County Career & Technology Center2463 Loop Road, Chambersburg, PA 17202
Greene County Career & Technology Center60 Zimmerman Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Bucks County Community College275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit1339 Saint Mary Street Suite 2, Lewisburg, PA 17837
Mercer County Career Center776 Greenville Rd., Mercer, PA 16137
Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center13221 Big Valley Pike, Mill Creek, PA 17060
Lancaster County Career & Technology Center1730 Hans Herr Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584
Northern Tier Career Center120 Career Center Lane, Towanda, PA 18848
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center1500 4th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602
Fortis Institute - Scranton517 Ash Street, Scranton, PA 18509
Wilkes-Barre Area Career & Technical Center350 Jumper Road, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705

LPN Salaries in Pennsylvania

LPN Salaries, on the other hand, are not bad either.

As usual, you will get the payment according to the work you do.

The salary varies from different factors.

To be mentioned are work experience, skills, education, and place.

Annual Salary Range:

$44K
$48K
$54K
10%
50%
90%
Annual Salary by Location:
LocationAvg. Annual Salary
Philadelphia$52,470
Pittsburgh$48,113
Allentown$48,669
Erie$45,119
Upper Darby$52,470
Reading$48,450
Scranton$45,084
Bethlehem$48,669
Lower Merion$52,470
Bensalem$55,163

Regional Salary in Pennsylvania

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ1,820$55,410$26.64$64,840$47,220
Altoona, PA570$49,940$24.01$60,010$37,890
Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA350$51,580$24.8$61,400$42,840
Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA360$52,760$25.37$61,720$39,800
East Stroudsburg, PA210$52,270$25.13$59,330$44,170
Erie, PA860$49,720$23.9$59,280$39,170
Gettysburg, PA200$52,520$25.25$59,350$47,830
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA1,820$54,150$26.04$62,680$46,420
Johnstown, PA350$48,890$23.51$60,010$41,280
Lancaster, PA1,610$52,950$25.46$60,800$44,470
Lebanon, PA430$53,800$25.87$62,380$43,790
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD14,170$59,320$28.52$71,030$48,190
Pittsburgh, PA5,020$53,540$25.74$62,110$45,960
Reading, PA900$54,960$26.42$63,190$47,230
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA1,940$51,480$24.75$60,010$44,750
State College, PA370$50,060$24.07$60,010$39,000
Williamsport, PA490$50,840$24.44$58,850$41,530
York-Hanover, PA800$51,170$24.6$59,680$38,890
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, OCC Code 29-2061, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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