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Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered nurses (RNs) share many of the same responsibilities, but RNs have a larger scope of practice and typically enjoy higher salaries and more leadership opportunities than LPNs. As a result, you may be interested in applying to on-campus or online LPN-to-RN programs.
The best LPN-to-RN bridge programs are affordable and flexible while still offering quality clinical experiences. Attending a top LPN-to-RN program ensures you gain the critical healthcare skills you need and are prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN.
Explore our rankings below of the best LPN-to-RN programs. We looked at factors like curriculum, affordability, and student outcomes to find the best options for aspiring RNs.
Explore Popular RN-to-BSN Programs
Top 10 LPN-to-RN Programs
Read About Our Methodology Here
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data and
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Kent State University at Kent
Kent, OH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: CCNE
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $559
Out-of-State | $938
Credits to Graduate: 108
Kent State's LPN and allied health to BSN divides coursework into prerequisite classes and a professional nursing sequence. This flexible structure allows you to easily fit in coursework with a busy schedule. If you want to kickstart your career, you can finish your BSN in four semesters by enrolling full time.
When submitting an online application, you'll need to show completion of high school biology, chemistry, and math. You must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA or a 2.7 GPA with a minimum score of 22 on the ACT or 1100 on the SAT.
#2 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $160-$221
Out-of-State | $358-$382
Credits to Graduate: 65
WVU Parkersburg offers an AAS in nursing that can shorten your path to becoming an RN. The accelerated LPN-to-RN program prepares you for RN licensure after just 16 months. You'll complete clinical nursing practicums under the supervision of experienced faculty.
A selective admissions process is just one reason this program makes our top-10 list. Your application must include transcripts from high school or a prior institution. You must also pass a pre-nursing exam, have a college GPA of at least 2.0, and hold an active LPN license.
#3 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Kettering College
Kettering, OH - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit: $653
Credits to Graduate: 125
At Kettering, you can complete your BSN in just three years. The college's LPN-to-BSN program offers both a full-time and part-time schedule. Busy professionals can opt for part-time enrollment or an accelerated two-year track. You'll complete clinical experiences at local hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Applicants must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and C grades in general and science prerequisite courses. You must also submit transcripts from a completed LPN program and undergo several health and background checks.
#4 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Weatherford, OK - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit: $220
Credits to Graduate: 33
SWOSU's online LPN-to-BSN completion program prepares current LPNs for professional and leadership growth in nurse education, orthopedics, nursing informatics, and nurse administration. You'll take classes in topics like nursing fundamentals, family health, acute and chronic care, and evidence-based practice.
To apply to this 12-month program, you must be an Oklahoma resident with a state-issued LPN license. You must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA and pass the required pre-nursing exams.
#5 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Williamsport, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $598
Out-of-State | $856
Credits to Graduate: 69
PCT's accelerated, three-semester LPN-to-RN program awards you an AAS in nursing. As a student, you can expect small classes with experienced faculty and hands-on experiences. The program also boasts above-average NCLEX-RN state pass rates.
To apply, you must have a Pennsylvania state practical nursing license and at least a 2.5 GPA. Admissions officers also factor in test scores, grades in transfer courses, and placement test results when reviewing applications.
#6 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
St. John's College-Department of Nursing
Springfield, IL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit: $795-$895
Credits to Graduate: 121
St. John's College of Nursing provides LPNs with a two-year pathway to a BSN. You can enroll full or part time, ensuring you have ample flexibility. The St. John's nursing simulation lab provides hands-on experience to prepare you for routine and unexpected situations on the job.
Admission requirements include transcripts, TEAS scores, a letter of reference, and the completion of all prerequisite courses. After finishing the Transition Pathway Course, you can earn 10 credits toward three required classes in the program.
#7 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit: $660-$930
Credits to Graduate: 120
To accelerate your nursing career, consider the 2+2 nursing program at MAC. If you're already working as an LPN, you can pursue the LPN-to-RN/BSN pathway, which allows you to earn both an associate and bachelor's degree in nursing. Course requirements include nursing pharmacology, adult nursing, mental health nursing, and anatomy and physiology.
There is no fee to apply. While ACT and SAT scores aren't required, you might consider submitting them if you did well on the exams.
#8 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: CCNE
Avg. Cost per Credit: $975
Credits to Graduate: 120
Davenport's pre-licensure BSN program qualifies you for the school's employment guarantee, which ensures all students find a job within six months after graduating.
You'll get training in cardiac life support while taking classes in subjects like introduction to health careers, nutrition in nursing, mental health nursing, and pharmacology. You'll also choose two specialties during your medical/surgical rotation. The four-year program accepts first-year students who can start taking nursing courses in their second year.
To apply, submit a free application online, along with your ACT or SAT scores and academic transcripts.
#9 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Blinn College
Brenham, TX - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit: $420-$597
Credits to Graduate: 60
If you're licensed in Texas, you can turn your LVN licensure into RN licensure through Blinn's AAS program. This associate degree in nursing can prepare you for entry-level positions in various healthcare settings. With transferable credits, you may be able to shorten your time in this two-year program.
You'll learn about topics such as lifespan growth and development, leadership and management, and complex issues in adult health.
To apply, submit proof of licensure and official high school transcripts or GED scores. You must also be a Texas resident.
#10 Best Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)-to-Registered Nurse (RN) Programs
Bluefield State College
Bluefield, WV - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: ACEN
Avg. Cost per Credit:
In-State | $356
Out-of-State | $655
Credits to Graduate: 64
Bluefield's accelerated LPN-to-RN degree allows you to complete your coursework in one calendar year. After you pass the transition course and practicum with a grade of C or better, you'll earn 10 credits toward your degree.
Application requirements include a high school or college GPA of 2.8 or higher, an active nursing license, and a minimum C grade in high school algebra, biology, and chemistry. You'll also need a letter of recommendation from an RN familiar with your work. You'll also have to pass the ATI TEAS exam.
If you have at least one year of full-time employment in acute care, you'll get preference during the admissions process.
Reasons to Get Your LPN-to-RN
- Becoming an RN can make you more money — many RNs earn around $30,000 more per year than LPNs.
- RNs have greater autonomy and can make decisions to enhance patient outcomes.
- Becoming an RN brings you one step closer to becoming an advanced practice RN, an in-demand leadership role in nursing.
- RNs can work in specialized units, like neonatal or critical care.
How LPN-to-RN Programs Work
LPN-to-RN programs provide practicing LPNs with a shortcut to becoming an RN.
The program length will depend on whether the LPN-to-RN program leads to a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree, lasting 1-4 years.
Approved LPN-to-RN bridge programs have many requirements, including on-site clinical hours and on-campus or online courses. Here are some examples of classes you may take:
- Pharmacology
- Care Across the Lifespan
- Role Transition
For admission into an LPN-to-RN program, you usually need a GED or high school diploma in addition to an LPN license.
Did You Know?
-
According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey, RNs represent the largest healthcare workforce, with more than 4.2 million registered nurses. -
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an annual average of over 200,000 job openings for RNs over the next decade. -
According to the BLS, the largest employers of RNs include hospitals, ambulatory care services, nursing and residential care facilities, and the government. -
Growth in telehealth and remote nursing will continue to give RNs more responsibilities, flexibility, and professional opportunities.
Why Accreditation Matters for LPN-to-RN Programs
It's important to know what accreditation is and why it matters. Accreditation can impact your access to financial aid, transfer credits, licensure, and ultimately employment.
Institutional accreditation should come from an agency approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education.
Programmatic accreditation is also important. As an aspiring RN, you should ensure your program holds accreditation from one of the following agencies:
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Not only does programmatic accreditation verify the quality of a nursing program, but it also qualifies the program for board approval, examination, and licensure.
How Much Do LPN-to-RN Bridge Programs Cost?
The cost of an LPN-to-RN program can vary significantly.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual undergraduate tuition ranged from $3,900 at two-year public schools to $18,200 at four-year private schools in 2020-2021.
An LPN-to-RN program's degree level and length play a big role in its cost. For example, Florida Gateway College's one-year LPN-to-RN associate degree program costs $10,600, whereas the University of Arkansas's LPN-to-BSN program costs just under $22,000.
You also need to consider additional fees, such as:
- Labs
- Books
- Uniform and scrubs
- Clinical supplies
- Association dues
- Testing fees
- Drug screens
How Much Money Can You Make as an RN?
How much you make as an RN depends on where you live, where you work, and how much experience you have.
The median annual salary for RNs was $77,600 in May 2021, according to the BLS. However, that same year, the average annual salary was $124,000 in California but just $60,540 in South Dakota.
No matter where you work as an RN, you'll still likely enjoy a higher salary than you would as an LPN — LPNs earned a median salary of just $48,070 in May 2021.
If you decide to build on your LPN-to-RN experience and pursue a master's degree in nursing, you can expect another salary boost. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for advanced practice RNs was a whopping $123,780 in May 2021.
How to Become an RN in 3 Simple Steps
To become an RN, you'll typically need at least an associate degree in nursing, a passing score on the NCLEX-RN, and licensure. Here, we detail the steps you need to take.
Step 1: Earn an Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
The first step to becoming an RN is to get an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). While some states allow you to practice with an associate degree, many employers prefer candidates to have a bachelor's degree.
The lengths of RN programs can vary. Typically, though, it takes around two years for an ADN and four years for a BSN.
If you completed an LPN program, you might qualify for LPN-to-RN programs. That way, you can work as you complete your ADN or BSN degree.
This path can also help you save time on your bachelor's degree. On-campus and online LPN-to-RN programs often take only three years instead of the usual four.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
Developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the NCLEX-RN tests you on your knowledge of nursing practices and procedures. It also challenges you to demonstrate your critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
LPN-to-RN programs do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to preparing you for the exam. If you need more prep, you can access study guides and practice tests online and in NCLEX-RN prep books.
Step 3: Apply for Licensure
After you pass the NCLEX-RN, you need to apply for licensure with your state's nursing board.
According to NCSBN, the licensing process typically requires you to:
- Complete an ADN or BSN program
- Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
- Pass a criminal background check
Every state maintains its own education and clinical requirements for RNs, so be sure to check your state's nursing board requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN-to-RN Programs
Yes, LPNs are real nurses, although their scope of practice is limited compared to that of an RN. LPNs provide medical care to patients in residential care facilities, hospitals, and doctor's offices. To become an LPN, you must complete an approved educational program and pass the NCLEX-PN before applying for state licensure.
LPNs will likely have an easier time in RN programs than students with no previous nursing education or experience. LPN-to-RN programs can also reduce the time you spend in school compared to those who pursue a BSN without first becoming an LPN.
LPN-to-RN programs can vary in length and depend on the credential being awarded. In general, LPN-to-RN bridge programs take about one year when leading to an associate degree and 2-3 years when leading to a bachelor's degree.
Yes, you can become an RN without a bachelor's degree. Many states allow RNs to qualify for licensure with an associate degree in nursing. A few states even allow you to qualify with just a diploma in nursing.
Check with your local nursing board to find approved nursing programs.
Compared to LPNs, RNs have more responsibilities, such as administering certain medications, performing and analyzing diagnostic tests, providing complex patient education, and operating advanced medical equipment. RNs can also specialize in an area of nursing that requires a higher level of patient care.
All rankings and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by the ASO Rankings Team.