Maryland's community colleges offer LPN training from just $114/credit for in-county residents — and the state's average LPN salary of $70,700 is well above the national average.
Maryland's community college system offers some of the most affordable LPN programs on the East Coast. In-county residents pay as little as $114.44 per credit hour, making a full LPN program cost roughly $4,920–$7,000. Out-of-county Maryland residents pay about $236/credit, and out-of-state students pay around $325/credit. Private programs run $10,000–$20,000.
💡 Anne Arundel Community College stands out for moms: their evening and weekend LPN program takes one academic year and costs less than $6,500 total for in-county students. The program has a No. 3 Northeast Region ranking and above-average NCLEX pass rates. AACC even has a quote from a nursing student mom who says completing the program is "the most proud of myself I've been in a very long time."
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Maryland LPNs earn an average of $70,700/year — significantly above the national average — driven by proximity to DC, Baltimore's major hospital systems, and a high regional cost of living. The state's 6.3% projected job growth through 2032 makes Maryland one of the more secure LPN markets on the East Coast.
| Region | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Est. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore City / Metro | $68,000–$75,000 | ~$33–$36/hr | Johns Hopkins, UMMC, Sinai Hospital |
| Montgomery County (DC suburb) | $70,000–$78,000 | ~$34–$38/hr | NIH campus nearby; highest COL in MD |
| Prince George's County (DC suburb) | $67,000–$74,000 | ~$32–$36/hr | Large suburban market; near DC federal jobs |
| Anne Arundel County | $65,000–$72,000 | ~$31–$35/hr | Annapolis area; growing healthcare sector |
| Frederick / Hagerstown | $60,000–$67,000 | ~$29–$32/hr | More affordable COL; steady demand |
| Eastern Shore | $58,000–$65,000 | ~$28–$31/hr | Rural demand; loan forgiveness opportunities |
| Statewide Average | $70,700 | ~$34/hr | Above national average; NLC compact |
At in-county community college tuition rates of $4,920–$7,000, a Pell Grant can cover the entire cost of your LPN program. File FAFSA as early as October 1. This is always step one for every Maryland LPN student.
MHEC administers multiple need-based and merit grants for Maryland residents, including the Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Award (for community college students) and the Senatorial and Delegate Scholarship programs. Ask your financial aid office which you qualify for.
Hagerstown Community College's LPN program is designated as a Health Manpower Shortage Program — making some Maryland residents outside Hagerstown's county eligible for the lower in-county tuition rate. If you're near western Maryland, this is worth checking into.
Wor-Wic's foundation-funded nursing scholarship is open to students regardless of county of residence or part-time/full-time status. It covers tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and related expenses. Apply through Wor-Wic's Scholarship Portal.
Federal scholarship covering tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend — or up to 85% of loan debt forgiven for service in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Maryland's Eastern Shore and rural western regions qualify.
Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, and Adventist HealthCare all offer tuition assistance programs. Getting your CNA at one of these systems and applying for their nursing education benefits is a well-trodden path for Maryland LPN candidates.
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Evening & weekend programs exist for you: Anne Arundel Community College and Hagerstown Community College both offer LPN programs designed around working adults — primarily evenings and weekends. You can keep your daytime job and childcare routine intact.
In-county tuition is everything: The gap between in-county ($114/credit) and out-of-county ($236/credit) is huge. If you're near a county line, it's worth checking whether a neighboring county's community college has an LPN program — a short move or address change can save you thousands.
Johns Hopkins is in your backyard: Maryland LPNs have access to one of the world's best hospital systems as a clinical partner and potential employer. AACC and CCBC both have clinical relationships with JHM facilities — connections that matter at graduation.
NLC = DMV-wide job access: Maryland's compact license also works in Virginia and DC (plus 37 more states). If you live in the suburbs near DC or NoVA, your Maryland LPN license opens up the entire DMV healthcare market without extra licensing fees.
Eastern Shore opportunity: Wor-Wic's nursing scholarship fund is open to anyone statewide, no county residency required. Rural Eastern Shore communities have steady LPN demand and a lower cost of living — a solid combination for moms building a stable career.
Maryland pays above average: At $70,700/year average, Maryland LPN salaries are notably higher than most states. Combined with affordable in-county tuition, Maryland offers one of the best return-on-investment ratios for LPN training on the entire East Coast.
Anne Arundel Community College offers an accelerated dual enrollment bridge with American Public University specifically designed for LPNs — crediting your existing training and letting you complete the RN program faster online. Wor-Wic graduates can transfer up to 70 credits directly into the University of Maryland system BSN programs. Maryland's proximity to major teaching hospitals means RN employment opportunities are exceptional.
Avg RN salary in Maryland: ~$85,000–$95,000/year — roughly $15,000–$25,000 more than the LPN average. With Maryland's high LPN pay as a starting point, the bridge is extremely worthwhile financially.
Explore LPN→RN Bridge Programs →Ready to prep for the NCLEX-PN? Visit our free NCLEX-PN study guide →
In-county community college tuition starts at $114.44/credit hour, making a full LPN program roughly $4,920–$7,000 for in-county residents. Anne Arundel Community College's evening program costs under $6,500. Out-of-county Maryland residents pay about $236/credit. Private programs run $10,000–$20,000.
Yes! Maryland is a Nurse Licensure Compact member. Your Maryland LPN license is valid in 40+ other compact states — including neighboring Virginia, giving you access to the full DC-Maryland-Virginia healthcare job market with one license.
Maryland LPNs earn an average of $70,700/year — well above the national average. Montgomery County and Baltimore metro pay the most ($68,000–$78,000). The Eastern Shore and western Maryland pay less but offer lower cost of living and rural loan forgiveness opportunities.
Most Maryland LPN programs take 12–18 months. Anne Arundel Community College completes in one academic year (about 12 months) through an evening and weekend format. Hagerstown's weekend program is also roughly 12 months for committed students.
Yes — Anne Arundel Community College offers a dedicated evening and weekend LPN program, and Hagerstown Community College schedules classes primarily on weekends to accommodate working adults. Both are specifically designed for people with families and jobs.
Federal Pell Grant (can cover full in-county tuition), MHEC state grants, Hagerstown Health Manpower Shortage discount, Wor-Wic nursing scholarship fund (statewide), Nurse Corps Scholarship/Loan Repayment, and employer tuition reimbursement from Johns Hopkins, UMMS, MedStar, and Adventist HealthCare.
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