LPN Programs in Indiana 2026
Indiana LPN programs run 12 to 18 months and must be approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing. Graduates apply for licensure through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and must pass the NCLEX-PN. Indiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a compact-eligible Indiana multistate LPN license can be used to practice in other Nurse Licensure Compact member states without a separate application.
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The first decision is also the most consequential: choosing a state-approved program. Indiana sets minimum standards for practical nursing education, and only graduates of approved programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Cost, schedule, location, and format all matter, but only after you’ve confirmed the program meets state requirements.
Use the links below to jump to program standards, curriculum, admissions requirements, costs, pass rates, and the Indiana LPN salary outlook.
- How to verify state approval for Indiana LPN programs
- What Indiana LPN programs cover
- Admission requirements and selectivity
- Cost and financial aid options
- NCLEX-PN pass rates and what they tell you
- Indiana LPN salary and job outlook
State Approval: The Starting Point for Program Selection
Indiana licenses LPNs through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA), which operates under the authority of the Indiana State Board of Nursing. The Board approves practical nursing programs that meet minimum length and content requirements, including at least one calendar year of instruction covering the fundamentals of nursing practice.
A full list of Board-approved programs is available on the PLA website. Programs may carry a “conditional approval” status, which means they’re under active state monitoring for compliance issues. That designation is worth noting when comparing options. It signals that a program hasn’t consistently met all standards, and it’s different from standard approval. For a full breakdown of what comes after graduation, see Indiana LPN licensing requirements.
Some Indiana LPN programs also hold national accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN accreditation is voluntary, and state approval is what qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN. However, national accreditation can be relevant if you plan to pursue bridge programs later, since some RN-to-BSN programs prefer or require it.
What Indiana LPN Programs Cover
LPN programs are structured to prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN and for entry-level clinical work. The curriculum combines classroom instruction, laboratory sessions, and supervised clinical rotations at approved healthcare facilities.
Core subject areas typically include anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and medication administration, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing, geriatric and long-term care, mental health principles, and pediatric nursing. Programs vary in how they sequence these topics and how much time they devote to each clinical setting.
Clinical rotations give students hands-on experience under the supervision of licensed nurses. Most Indiana programs complete these rotations at hospitals, long-term care facilities, or outpatient clinics. No state-approved Indiana LPN program can be completed entirely online because required clinical training must be completed in person at approved sites. Some programs offer hybrid formats in which lecture content is available online while clinical components remain on-site, making scheduling more manageable for working adults.
Evening and weekend options are available at certain schools. If scheduling flexibility matters to your enrollment decision, confirm that the program publishes its current cohort schedule before you apply.
Admission Requirements
Most Indiana LPN programs require a high school diploma or GED. Beyond that baseline, requirements vary by school. Common additional requirements include a passing score on a standardized entrance exam such as the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), a criminal background check, drug screening, up-to-date immunization records, professional or academic references, and an in-person interview.
Selectivity varies considerably across programs. Admission competitiveness varies by institution and cohort size, and high demand in nursing can make seats competitive even at open-enrollment institutions. Programs at private vocational schools sometimes admit a higher percentage of applicants and may have shorter wait times, often at a higher cost. Meeting the minimum listed requirements doesn’t guarantee admission to competitive programs. Passing scores on entrance exams and complete documentation both matter.
If a program has a wait list, ask how long the typical wait is and whether you can apply to multiple programs simultaneously. Getting clarity on the timeline before committing can save significant time.
Cost and Financial Aid
Tuition for Indiana LPN programs varies widely depending on the type of institution. Community college programs tend to be among the least expensive options available in the state. Private vocational schools typically charge more, though some offer enrollment flexibility in exchange for the higher cost.
The total program cost includes more than just tuition. Lab fees, uniforms, supplies, liability insurance, and NCLEX-PN registration fees add to the bottom line. Request a full cost disclosure from each school you’re seriously considering rather than comparing tuition figures alone.
Most students are eligible for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, through programs at accredited institutions. Individual schools often have institutional grants or scholarships as well. Students who qualify based on income or workforce need may be eligible for funding through state-administered workforce development programs. Asking the financial aid office about all available options at the time of enrollment is worth the time.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates and What They Tell You
NCLEX-PN pass rates are one of the few objective data points available when comparing Indiana LPN programs. The Indiana PLA publishes first-time pass rate data for Board-approved programs, typically covering multiple years. Review the most recently published Indiana PLA pass-rate report alongside your shortlist of schools, since data is updated periodically and figures from several years ago may not reflect current program performance.
Indiana’s minimum pass rate standard is set at one standard deviation below the national average, maintained over three consecutive years before a corrective plan is required. This means some programs can show pass rates below national norms for multiple years without immediate consequences. Looking at the published data yourself, rather than relying on a school’s self-reported figures, gives you a clearer picture of how graduates actually perform.
Pass rates alone don’t tell the full story. A program with a slightly lower pass rate but higher completion rate and strong employer relationships may be a better choice for your situation than one with high pass rates and significant attrition. When you visit or speak with a program, asking about both completion rates and pass rates together is more informative than either figure on its own.
Indiana LPN Salary and Job Outlook
Indiana LPNs earned a median annual wage of $65,720 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s above the national median of $64,400 for LPN/LVNs, with 14,480 LPNs employed across the state.
| Location | Median Annual Wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $65,720 | 14,480 |
| National (LPN/LVN) | $64,400 | 648,410 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Projections Central estimates 7.5% employment growth for LPNs in Indiana between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 1,040 job openings per year (Indiana Labor Market Information, Projections Central). Most of that demand comes from long-term care, home health, and physician office settings, where the LPN’s scope of practice is well matched to patient needs. For more on where Indiana LPNs work and what they do, see Indiana LPN scope of practice and career outlook.
Indiana has been a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state since 2020. A compact-eligible Indiana multistate LPN license can be used to work in other NLC member states without applying for additional licenses. That broadens your employment options if you’re open to working across state lines or relocating after you’re licensed.
Find nursing licensure requirements by state for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and advanced practice nurses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to complete an LPN program in Indiana?
Most Indiana LPN programs take 12 to 18 months to complete. Program length depends on whether you enroll full-time or part-time and whether prerequisite coursework is required before the nursing sequence begins.
Do I need to take an entrance exam to get into an LPN program in Indiana?
Many Indiana LPN programs require a standardized entrance exam such as the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills). Requirements vary by school. Check each program’s admissions page for current requirements and minimum passing scores before you apply.
What is the NCLEX-PN and when do I take it?
The NCLEX-PN is the national licensing exam for practical nurses. You take it after graduating from a Board-approved program and receiving authorization to test from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. A passing score is required for licensure as an LPN in Indiana.
Can I work in other states with an Indiana LPN license?
Yes. Indiana joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2020. A compact-eligible Indiana multistate LPN license can be used to practice in other NLC member states without a separate license application for each state.
Are online LPN programs available in Indiana?
No state-approved Indiana LPN program can be completed entirely online because required clinical training must be completed in person at approved healthcare facilities. Some programs offer hybrid formats, pairing online lecture content with in-person clinical hours.
Key Takeaways
- State approval is non-negotiable — only graduates of Indiana State Board of Nursing-approved programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Verify approval status on the Indiana PLA website before enrolling.
- Programs run 12 to 18 months — length varies by school, enrollment status, and whether prerequisites are required before the nursing sequence begins.
- NCLEX-PN pass rates are published — the Indiana PLA releases first-time pass rate data for approved programs. Reviewing this data across multiple years gives a more accurate picture than a school’s self-reported outcomes.
- Indiana LPNs earn above the national median — the statewide median annual wage is $65,720 as of May 2025, compared to a national median of $64,400, with 1,040 average annual job openings projected through 2032.
- Indiana is an NLC state — a compact-eligible Indiana multistate LPN license allows you to practice in other Nurse Licensure Compact member states without additional license applications.
Select your state below to find approved LPN programs, application requirements, and licensure information for your jurisdiction.
2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data and Projections Central 2022-2032 job growth forecasts for Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurses, Registered Nurses, and Advanced Practice Nurses across roles, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.