Neosho County Community College — $95/credit for EVERY student, in-state AND out-of-state
Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas offers one of the most remarkable tuition policies in the country — a flat $95/credit rate for both in-state AND out-of-state students, eliminating the residency-based cost disparity that exists at most schools. For LPN programs requiring approximately 40–50 credits, this translates to roughly $3,800–$4,750 in tuition — making it one of the most affordable accredited LPN programs in the entire Midwest.
Most Affordable LPN Programs in Kansas
All programs below are approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing with strong NCLEX-PN track records. Kansas LPN programs run 9–12 months and cost $5,000–$13,000 overall.
- Total program est.~$3,800–$4,750
- Unique policyNo out-of-state premium
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeLPN-to-RN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- Total program est.~$5,000–$6,500
- LocationCentral Kansas
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant + Kansas Promise eligible
- NCLEX-PN pass rate95% — three years running
- SponsorStormont Vail Health partnership
- DealWork at Stormont Vail → tuition covered
- LocationTopeka — state capital
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationKansas City metro — best KS job market
- ScholarshipKansas Promise Scholarship eligible
- BridgeLPN-to-RN bridge available
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- AidPell Grant eligible
- NCLEX-PN pass rate94%
- GrantKansas Career Technical Workforce Grant
- LocationEmporia — east-central Kansas
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- AidPell Grant eligible
- Program length9 months — fastest in Kansas!
- Part-time option4 semesters available
- LocationCentral Kansas
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- AidPell Grant eligible
⚠️ Tuition figures based on 2024–2025 IPEDS data and published school resources. Always contact schools directly for current costs before enrolling.
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LPN Salary in Kansas — What You Can Expect to Earn
Kansas LPN salaries average approximately $51,700/year per Research.com 2024 data. Kansas's cost of living is 13% below the national average — meaning the real purchasing power of a Kansas LPN salary is better than the nominal figure suggests. Kansas City metro pays the most. The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship rewards LPNs who commit to serving in the state's healthcare system.
| City / Area | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Kansas City Metro (Overland Park) | ~$54,000–$58,000 | ~$25.96–$27.88 | Best KS LPN market — access to MO side too |
| 🥈 Wichita | ~$52,000–$56,000 | ~$25.00–$26.92 | Largest Kansas city — strong demand |
| 🥉 Topeka | ~$50,000–$54,000 | ~$24.04–$25.96 | State capital — Stormont Vail jobs |
| Manhattan / Salina | ~$48,000–$52,000 | ~$23.08–$25.00 | Central Kansas — steady demand |
| Statewide Average | ~$51,700 | ~$24.86 | Research.com 2024 data |
| Kansas City MO (via NLC) | ~$54,000–$60,000 | ~$25.96–$28.85 | Missouri side — NLC access on single license |
Financial Aid & Free Money for Kansas LPN Students
Kansas has several powerful funding programs including the Kansas Promise Scholarship that can cover full tuition at eligible community colleges.
The Kansas Promise Scholarship covers tuition at eligible Kansas community and technical colleges for qualifying students in high-demand fields including nursing. Johnson County CC and others qualify. Apply through your school's financial aid office. This is Kansas's version of a free college program.
At Neosho CC ($3,800–$4,750 total) or Hutchinson CC ($5,000–$6,500), a Pell Grant can cover your entire tuition with money to spare. Always file FAFSA at studentaid.gov first — this is your foundation before any other aid.
Available at Flint Hills Technical College and other Kansas technical schools for LPN and other healthcare programs. Contact your school's financial aid office to apply. Specifically designed for workforce training in high-demand fields like nursing.
Washburn Tech LPN graduates who commit to working at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka can have all or part of their tuition covered. Contact Stormont Vail nursing recruitment directly — this is a real, specific Kansas employer program.
The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship provides financial aid in exchange for a service commitment to work in Kansas's healthcare system. Contact the Kansas Board of Regents for current eligibility and award amounts. Ideal for students who plan to stay in Kansas after graduation.
Offered to Kansas residents attending eligible in-state institutions. Awarded based on FAFSA results and availability of funds. Applied on top of Pell Grant and Kansas Promise Scholarship for maximum aid stacking.
Veterans and eligible dependents can use GI Bill benefits to cover full LPN tuition plus a monthly housing allowance. Fort Riley near Manhattan and McConnell AFB near Wichita create significant veteran population in Kansas.
With Kansas Promise Scholarship + Pell Grant available, loans should rarely be needed. But if required, federal Direct Loans offer low interest rates. Complete FAFSA to access. Kansas's 13% below-average cost of living means repayment is manageable.
Smart Tips for Kansas Moms Considering an LPN Career
Here's what experienced Kansas nursing students wish they had known before starting their LPN journey.
- 🌻 Neosho CC's $95/credit applies to EVERYONENeosho County Community College's flat $95/credit rate for all students — regardless of where you live — is one of the most unusual and generous tuition policies in the country. At approximately $3,800–$4,750 total program cost, it may be the most affordable accredited LPN program in the entire Midwest. Worth driving distance for out-of-state students too.
- 🏥 Washburn Tech + Stormont Vail = tuition paidWashburn Tech's 95% NCLEX pass rate combined with Stormont Vail Health's tuition sponsorship creates an extraordinary opportunity in Topeka. You get exceptional LPN training AND your employer covers the bill in exchange for working there after graduation. Call Stormont Vail nursing recruitment to ask about current sponsorship availability.
- 🌻 Kansas Promise Scholarship stacks with Pell GrantThe Kansas Promise Scholarship covers tuition at eligible community colleges. Combined with a Pell Grant of up to $7,395, the Kansas Promise can make LPN education completely free at qualifying schools. Apply for both simultaneously through your school's financial aid office — don't leave this money on the table.
- 🌆 Kansas City metro is your salary targetJohnson County Community College in Overland Park puts you directly in the Kansas City metro — the highest-paying LPN market in Kansas. With NLC licensure, you can work on both the Kansas AND Missouri sides of the metro, effectively doubling your job market on a single license.
- ⏱ Salina Tech's 9-month program is Kansas's fastestIf speed to employment is your priority, Salina Area Technical College offers the fastest LPN pathway in Kansas at just 9 months full-time. There's also a part-time option over 4 semesters for working moms who need more flexibility. This is the only 9-month standalone LPN program in the state.
- 🎓 Kansas LPN-to-RN paths are strongJohnson County CC has an LPN-to-RN bridge. Washburn University in Topeka offers one of Kansas's best BSN programs. Kansas RNs earn significantly more than LPNs — planning your bridge path from day one at community college saves time and credits toward your RN degree.
LPN to RN in Kansas — Should You Skip Straight to RN?
One of the most important career decisions you'll make. Here's an honest breakdown for Kansas students.
LPN first, or go straight to RN?
Kansas LPN salaries average $51,700/year — solid for the Midwest, and Kansas's cost of living is 13% below the national average, making these wages go further than they look. With programs as affordable as $3,800–$4,750 at Neosho CC and the Kansas Promise Scholarship potentially covering full tuition, starting as an LPN in Kansas carries very low financial risk.
If time and money are not immediate barriers, consider going directly to an ADN or BSN program. Kansas RNs earn significantly more than LPNs — with Washburn University and Kansas University offering strong RN programs. Johnson County CC also has an LPN-to-RN bridge for those who want to start with LPN and advance later.
Our sister site lpn-rn.com covers every Kansas LPN-to-RN bridge program in detail.
Explore LPN to RN Programs in Kansas →Prepare for the NCLEX-PN — 50 Free Practice Questions
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in Kansas. 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 Kansas
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What is the Kansas Promise Scholarship?
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