Best LPN Programs in Kansas

Licensed practical nursing (LPN) offers one of the most accessible paths to a healthcare career. It only takes a year for many students in Kansas to obtain their LPN certificate or diploma.

LPNs fill several key roles in front-line patient care. Importantly, LPNs relay patient questions and concerns to other members of the care team, including doctors and more senior nurses. You can create a stable career as an LPN or use your training and experience to upgrade to a registered nurse (RN).

In Kansas, your journey begins with a nursing education program approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing (BON).

The following is a ranking of the best LPN programs in Kansas, as well as a career and salary outlook and guidance on how to get your license.

Finding the best LPN program in Kansas takes time and research. The following list of the state’s top programs can help learners begin their search. Factors that influence this ranking include cost and graduate success rate. Prospective students should contact the school’s admissions department to learn more before enrolling.

Two types of accreditation apply to face-to-face and online LPN programs in Kansas. They include institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation.

The school that hosts your program should be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It may prove a bad investment to enroll in an unaccredited school or program, as employers and accredited schools may not accept credits or credentials from that institution.

Some nursing programs hold specialized but optional accreditation from organizations like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Overall, it is most important to ensure that the BON recognizes your program.

To obtain your LPN license in Kansas, you must graduate from an LPN education program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Before you can sit for the exam, you must register for the exam and obtain an Authorization To Test (ATT).

The NCLEX-PN employs a testing evaluation method known as computer adaptive testing (CAT). With CAT, each examinee takes a unique version of the test.

Still, all NCLEX-PN test-takers answer questions drawn from four broad categories:

NCLEX exams use a pass/fail scoring system. You will answer 85-150 questions within a maximum of five hours, depending on how you perform. In most cases, the NCLEX-PN exam ends when the CAT system is 95% certain that you do or do not meet the passing standard.

Once you pass the NCLEX-PN, you can apply for your initial Kansas LPN license. You must pass a criminal background check before the Kansas State Board of Nursing can issue your permanent license.

After becoming an LPN in Kansas, professionals must apply for renewal every two years. Your license will expire on the final day of your birth month. If you were born in an odd-numbered year, you must renew every odd-numbered year. The same standard applies to nurses born in even-numbered years.

Kansas participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, an agreement that allows properly credentialed nurses to travel to and work in other participating states without obtaining a new license.

Data from Projections Central projects a job growth rate of 6% for LPNs in Kansas from 2022-32. O*NET Online projections for Kansas suggest that about 580 LPN jobs will become available each year in the state through 2030.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023 Kansas LPNs earned an average salary of $55,610 per year, or $26.74 per hour. However, LPNs earn more in some areas of Kansas and less in others based on a variety of factors.

The following table offers a more detailed breakdown:

While LPN salaries in Kansas fall below the national average of $60,790, the cost of living in Kansas is also lower than average. When combining the two factors, LPN salaries in Kansas may work out advantageously. The median salary for an LPN in Kansas is about 7% below the national average, but the state’s cost of living falls below the national average by 13%.

According to updated nursing standards in Kansas that are scheduled to take effect in the fall of 2025, state-approved practical nursing programs in Kansas must require at least seven semester credits or some equivalent in the following topics:

Programs must also include courses that develop professional skills in:

Institutions may sequence this coursework within a program however they see fit. They also have the latitude to offer additional required or elective courses in these or other practice areas.

Scholarships, including scholarships for nursing school, can help students reduce costs and minimize debt. They can be very competitive to get but can make a huge difference for recipients. The good news is that there are many scholarships out there, offered by a host of different groups and organizations.

These scholarships are open specifically to LPN students in Kansas:

Who Can Apply: Kansas residents and U.S. citizens enrolled in a nursing program accredited by the ACEN, CCNE, or COA. Course loads must cover at least six credit hours per semester and your cumulative GPA must be at least 3.0 (out of 4.0).

Amount: Varies

Who Can Apply: The Kansas Board of Regents offers multiple scholarships for nursing students. Eligibility guidelines vary.

Amount: Varies

Who Can Apply: This award supports individuals currently enrolled in pre-licensure nursing programs, including for LPN program tracks. Applicants must submit an essay.

Amount: $1,000

Who Can Apply: Kansas students who maintain membership with the National Black Nurses Association, Inc. and a local chapter of the organization. Applicants submit a two-page essay and academic transcripts.

Amount: $1,000-$15,000