🏥 Licensed Practical Nurse Programs
Find Accredited Licensed Practical Nurse Programs Near You
Updated June 2026
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Licensed Practical Nurses in New York earn competitive salaries — among the highest in the Northeast.
New York City and Long Island LPNs consistently earn the most in the state — the NYC metro average of $60,200 reflects the high cost of living and the dense concentration of hospitals, long-term care facilities, and specialty clinics. Upstate cities like Buffalo ($53,100) and Rochester ($54,200) pay less but offer a significantly lower cost of living in return.
| Region | Avg Annual Salary | Key Employers |
|---|---|---|
| New York City (5 boroughs) | ~$60,200 | NYC Health + Hospitals, NYU Langone, Mount Sinai |
| Long Island | ~$61,500 | Northwell Health, Catholic Health (highest in state) |
| Westchester / Hudson Valley | ~$57,000–$59,000 | Montefiore, White Plains Hospital |
| Albany / Capital Region | ~$54,000–$56,000 | Albany Medical Center, St. Peter's Health |
| Syracuse / Central NY | ~$52,000–$55,000 | Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Health |
| Buffalo / Western NY | ~$53,100 | Kaleida Health, Catholic Health System |
| Rochester | ~$54,200 | University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester General |
New York does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. All LPN and RN licenses are issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) — Office of the Professions. Out-of-state nurses must apply for a full New York license through endorsement. Application fee: $143. License is valid for life; registration renews every 3 years. New York also requires completion of infection control coursework before licensure — unique to NY.
BOCES programs are New York's most affordable LPN pathway — career and technical education programs offered through regional cooperative school boards across the state. Most complete in 10 months and feed directly into community employment. Available in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Erie, Monroe, and many other NY counties. Strong clinical partnerships with local facilities.
Best for: Budget-conscious students, working adults, anyone seeking the fastest affordable path to licensure
The City University of New York (CUNY) system offers some of the most affordable LPN programs in New York City. Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and LaGuardia Community College both offer accredited practical nursing programs. Tuition is significantly lower than private NYC schools and financial aid is widely available.
Best for: NYC residents seeking affordable community college LPN programs with strong local clinical placements
The State University of New York (SUNY) system includes community colleges across upstate New York offering accredited LPN programs. SUNY Canton, Tompkins Cortland Community College, and others provide quality programs at public college tuition rates. Ideal for students in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and surrounding areas.
Best for: Upstate NY students seeking public college tuition rates and strong regional clinical networks
Private schools such as Trocaire College (Buffalo), Berkeley College, and Mildred Elley (NYC) offer accelerated LPN programs with flexible scheduling including evening and weekend options. More expensive than public options but may offer faster completion and smaller class sizes.
Best for: Students who need flexible scheduling, prefer smaller class sizes, or want to complete training as quickly as possible
Some New York hospitals and health systems operate their own LPN training programs or partner with nursing schools. NYC Health + Hospitals, Northwell Health, and Montefiore all have workforce development programs for aspiring nurses. These often include tuition assistance or employment pathways upon graduation.
Best for: Students who want to train inside a major hospital system with a clear employment pathway after graduation
| Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau BOCES | Westbury, Long Island | ~$5,000–$7,000 | 10 months |
| Suffolk BOCES | Hauppauge, Long Island | ~$5,000–$7,000 | 10 months |
| BOCES Erie 1 (Buffalo area) | Buffalo / Western NY | ~$4,000–$6,500 | 10–12 months |
| Borough of Manhattan CC (BMCC) | New York City | ~$6,000–$8,000 | 12–18 months |
| LaGuardia Community College | Queens, NYC | ~$6,000–$8,000 | 12 months |
| SUNY Canton | Canton (North Country) | ~$6,000–$8,000 | 12 months |
| Trocaire College | Buffalo | ~$14,000–$16,000 | 18 months |
| Medgar Evers College (CUNY) | Brooklyn, NYC | ~$7,000–$9,000 | 18 months |
| Mildred Elley — NYC | Manhattan | ~$14,000–$16,000 | 12 months |
| Berkeley College — NY | NYC / White Plains | ~$15,000–$18,000 | 12 months |
Costs are approximate 2026 estimates. Always verify directly with the school. BOCES programs are typically the most affordable option available in your county.
Don't let cost stop you. Multiple financial aid options are available — and New York has some of the most generous state aid programs in the country.
💡 Pro Tip: Always complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov first — even if you think you won't qualify. New York students are often surprised by the combination of federal and state aid they receive. The NYS TAP grant alone can cover a significant portion of CUNY or SUNY tuition.
Already an LPN or planning to advance? New York has a large network of LPN-to-RN bridge programs — especially within the CUNY and SUNY systems — that recognize your existing training and accelerate your path to RN licensure.
🔗 Find LPN to RN Bridge Programs
Looking for LPN to RN bridge programs in New York? Visit our comprehensive directory for bridge programs, including online options, costs, and school comparisons:
New York licenses LPNs and RNs through NYSED — not a separate Board of Nursing. This is unique to New York. Contact NYSED for list of approved LPN programs, license application, NCLEX authorization, infection control coursework, and license verification.
⚠️ Remember: New York requires an infection control course as part of licensure — verify completion before applying.
📞 Phone: (518) 474-2872
🌐 Website: op.nysed.gov/professions/licensed-practical-nurses
💰 Initial License Fee: $143 | NCLEX-PN Fee: $200 (Pearson VUE) | Renewal: Every 3 years
LPN programs in New York range from $4,000–$18,000 depending on program type. BOCES programs are the most affordable at $4,000–$8,000 and are available in most NY counties. CUNY and SUNY community colleges cost $5,000–$9,000 for residents. Private schools range from $12,000–$18,000. Budget an additional $200 for the NCLEX-PN exam and $143 for the NYSED licensure application.
Most New York LPN programs take 10–18 months to complete full-time. BOCES programs are the shortest at approximately 10 months. Community college programs typically run 12–18 months. After graduation, you must pass the NCLEX-PN and complete the NYSED licensure process, which takes an additional 6–10 weeks.
LPNs in New York earn a median salary of $58,600/year statewide. New York City LPNs average $60,200/year and Long Island LPNs average $61,500/year — the highest in the state. Upstate cities like Buffalo ($53,100) and Rochester ($54,200) pay less but offer significantly lower costs of living.
No. New York does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). All LPN and RN licenses in New York are issued by the New York State Education Department — Office of the Professions. Out-of-state nurses must apply for a full New York license through endorsement, even if they hold a compact license from another state.
BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) programs are career and technical education programs offered through regional school boards across New York State. They are generally the most affordable LPN programs available in New York, costing $4,000–$8,000 and completing in approximately 10 months. They are available in Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Erie, Monroe, and many other NY counties. Contact your local BOCES office to find the nearest program.
New York State requires all LPN and RN applicants to complete a state-approved infection control course before receiving their license. This is unique to New York — most other states do not have this requirement. Your LPN program should incorporate this coursework, but confirm with your school before enrolling. NYSED maintains a list of approved infection control courses on their website.
Yes. Most LPN to RN bridge programs in New York are designed for working nurses. Programs offer part-time, evening, weekend, and hybrid formats. Many New York employers — especially NYC hospital systems — offer tuition reimbursement for bridge programs, and 1199SEIU union members may access additional scholarship support.
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