Ivy Tech Community College — Indiana's statewide LPN powerhouse with 99.4% NCLEX pass rates
Ivy Tech Community College is the largest LPN program provider in Indiana, with campuses across all 19 regions of the state. Its Sellersburg campus leads the state with a 99.4% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over a 10-year period. Terre Haute follows with 99.3%, and Evansville with 99.1%. These exceptional pass rates reflect genuinely outstanding nursing education that Ivy Tech consistently delivers across Indiana. The Next Level Jobs grant can make Ivy Tech tuition free for eligible Indiana residents.
Most Affordable LPN Programs in Indiana
All programs below are approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing with strong NCLEX-PN track records. Most Indiana LPN programs complete in 12 months full-time.
- NCLEX-PN pass rate99.4% — #1 in Indiana
- Program length12 months
- LocationNear Louisville, KY border
- BridgeLPN-to-RN pathway available
- Free tuitionNext Level Jobs grant eligible
- Credits45 credit hours total
- LocationIndianapolis — highest-paying IN market
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeLPN-to-RN pathway available
- Free tuitionNext Level Jobs grant eligible
- NCLEX-PN pass rate99.3% — #2 in Indiana
- Program length12 months
- LocationWest-central Indiana
- BridgeLPN-to-RN pathway available
- Free tuitionNext Level Jobs grant eligible
- NCLEX-PN pass rate99.1% — #3 in Indiana
- LocationSouthwest Indiana — near KY border
- BridgeLPN-to-RN pathway available
- NLC advantageNear Kentucky — NLC state access
- Free tuitionNext Level Jobs grant eligible
- LocationVincennes — southwest Indiana
- NCLEX pass rate90.9% average
- BridgeLPN-to-BSN hybrid — 1 day/week on campus
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- AidPell Grant eligible
- FocusCentral Indiana workforce pipeline
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- PartnersMajor central IN healthcare employers
- AidPell Grant + workforce grants eligible
- NoteContact workforce board for current info
⚠️ Tuition figures based on 2024–2025 IPEDS data. Always contact schools directly for current costs. Ivy Tech has 19 campuses — find your nearest location at ivytech.edu.
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LPN Salary in Indiana — What You Can Expect to Earn
Indiana's statewide median LPN salary is $52,620/year per BLS May 2024 data. Indianapolis stands out significantly at $57,820/year — about $5,000 above the state average — making it the clear salary target for Indiana LPN graduates. Indiana employs approximately 15,140 LPNs statewide with projected 5% growth through 2032.
| City / Area | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Indianapolis | ~$57,820 | ~$27.80 | State's highest-paying LPN market |
| 🥈 Fort Wayne | ~$53,000–$56,000 | ~$25.48–$26.92 | 2nd largest city — growing market |
| 🥉 Evansville | ~$52,000–$55,000 | ~$25.00–$26.44 | SW Indiana — near KY border |
| South Bend / Mishawaka | ~$51,000–$54,000 | ~$24.52–$25.96 | Northern Indiana — near Chicago market |
| Statewide Median (BLS) | ~$52,620 | ~$25.30 | BLS May 2024 |
| Louisville KY (via NLC) | ~$54,000–$58,000 | ~$25.96–$27.88 | Sellersburg/Evansville — NLC access |
Financial Aid & Free Money for Indiana LPN Students
Indiana has powerful funding programs including the Next Level Jobs grant that can make Ivy Tech LPN education completely free for eligible Indiana residents.
Indiana's Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant covers full tuition at Ivy Tech Community College for eligible Indiana residents who haven't previously received a certificate or degree in an eligible field. LPN programs qualify. Apply through Ivy Tech's financial aid office — this can make your entire LPN education free.
Applied before the Next Level Jobs grant — combining both can eliminate all LPN tuition costs for eligible students. At Ivy Tech (~$7,000–$10,000 program cost), Pell + Next Level Jobs can mean zero out-of-pocket. Always file FAFSA at studentaid.gov first.
If you work in healthcare as a CNA or aide at major Indiana employers like IU Health, Ascension St. Vincent, Community Health Network, or Franciscan Health, ask HR about tuition reimbursement before enrolling.
Indiana's major health systems sometimes sponsor LPN training for employees in exchange for a work commitment. Contact nursing recruitment directly at IU Health (Indianapolis), Ascension St. Vincent, or Community Health Network — rarely advertised publicly.
Veterans and eligible dependents can use GI Bill benefits to cover full LPN tuition at Ivy Tech or Vincennes University plus a monthly housing allowance. Camp Atterbury and other Indiana military installations create significant veteran population.
Indiana WIOA programs help displaced workers, single parents, and low-income adults enter high-demand healthcare careers. Contact your local WorkOne career center for current training grant programs throughout Indiana.
Indiana FSSA can cover childcare costs while you attend your LPN program. Contact your local Indiana FSSA office for current childcare assistance programs — a critical resource for single moms returning to school.
With Next Level Jobs + Pell Grant potentially covering full tuition at Ivy Tech, loans should rarely be needed. Complete FAFSA to access if required. With Indianapolis LPN salaries averaging $57,820, repayment is typically fast.
Smart Tips for Indiana Moms Considering an LPN Career
Here's what experienced Indiana nursing students wish they had known before starting their LPN journey.
- 🏎️ Next Level Jobs + Pell Grant = FREE LPN educationIndiana's Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant covers full tuition at Ivy Tech for eligible Indiana residents who haven't previously received a certificate in an eligible field. Combined with a Pell Grant, many Indiana students pay zero out of pocket for their LPN education. Apply through Ivy Tech's financial aid office — this is Indiana's best-kept nursing education secret.
- 🏆 Choose your Ivy Tech campus by NCLEX pass rateNot all Ivy Tech campuses are created equal for NCLEX performance. Sellersburg leads at 99.4%, Terre Haute at 99.3%, Evansville at 99.1%. If you have flexibility in which campus to attend, choose one with the strongest NCLEX track record — it directly predicts your success on the exam.
- 💰 Indianapolis is Indiana's LPN salary leaderIndianapolis LPNs earn $57,820/year — $5,200 above the state average. Ivy Tech's Indianapolis campus (North Meridian) puts you directly in this premium market. Even if you live outside Indianapolis, consider targeting the city for employment after graduation for the salary premium.
- 🌉 Northern Indiana near Chicago — huge opportunitySouth Bend and northern Indiana LPNs are within driving distance of the Chicago metro — one of the largest healthcare markets in the country. With an NLC license, you can work in Illinois, giving northern Indiana LPNs access to significantly higher-paying Chicago-area healthcare jobs.
- 📋 Ivy Tech covers all 19 Indiana regionsNo matter where you live in Indiana, there's an Ivy Tech campus near you. With 19 regional campuses across the state, Ivy Tech is genuinely accessible to virtually every Indiana resident — rural or urban — without major relocation. Find your nearest campus at ivytech.edu.
- 🎓 Vincennes University's LPN-to-BSN bridge is exceptionalVincennes University's hybrid LPN-to-BSN program requires just one day per week on campus — making it ideal for working LPNs who want to advance. Indiana RNs earn $86,000+ median — planning your bridge from your very first day of LPN training saves significant time and credits.
LPN to RN in Indiana — Should You Skip Straight to RN?
One of the most important career decisions you'll make. Here's an honest breakdown for Indiana students.
LPN first, or go straight to RN?
Indiana LPN salaries median at $52,620/year statewide, with Indianapolis reaching $57,820. With the Next Level Jobs grant potentially making Ivy Tech LPN education completely free, and 12 months to graduation, the financial case for starting as an LPN in Indiana is very strong — especially if you need income quickly.
If time and money are not immediate barriers, consider going directly to an ADN or BSN program. Indiana RNs earn approximately $86,000+/year — significantly more than LPNs. Ivy Tech offers a direct LPN-to-RN bridge. Vincennes University's hybrid LPN-to-BSN is one of the most flexible in the state, requiring just one campus day per week.
Our sister site lpn-rn.com covers every Indiana LPN-to-RN bridge program in detail.
Explore LPN to RN Programs in Indiana →Prepare for the NCLEX-PN — 50 Free Practice Questions
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in Indiana. Our sister site offers 50 free practice questions covering pharmacology, patient care, ethics, and more.
Take 50 Free NCLEX-PN Practice Questions →Frequently Asked Questions — LPN Programs in Indiana
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