St. Louis Community College — just $6,000 for a complete 2-semester LPN program
St. Louis Community College (STLCC) offers one of the most affordable accredited LPN programs in the entire St. Louis metropolitan area — at just $6,000 for the two-semester certificate of proficiency in practical nursing. That's a fraction of what comparable programs charge nearby. STLCC also offers a dedicated RN Bridge for LPN graduates, childcare support, an Archers' Market food pantry, and free tutoring — making it genuinely accessible for working moms.
Most Affordable LPN Programs in Missouri
All programs below are approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing with strong NCLEX-PN track records. Missouri has 30+ board-approved programs statewide.
- Program length2 semesters (fast!)
- In-district rate$122/credit hour
- RN BridgeLPN-to-RN bridge available (spring/fall)
- SupportChildcare grants, food pantry, free tutoring
- Start dateFall 2024 — now accepting applications
- NCLEX pass rate100% — consistently
- AccreditationACEN accredited
- CampusesPoplar Bluff and Sikeston
- Credits55 credit hours to complete
- AidPell Grant eligible
- CampusesSedalia (Jan/Aug start) + Eldon (Jan start)
- Credits55.5 credit hours
- PrerequisitesMin. 2.75 GPA required
- TechSmart technology classrooms
- BridgeRN degree pathway available
- Program length11 months
- CampusesMaryville (35 seats), Trenton (65 seats), Bethany (15 seats)
- Night/WeekendBethany campus — Jan–Dec
- BridgeADN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationKansas City — MO's best LPN market
- Program length12 months (fall/spring start)
- No entrance examDirect route to licensure
- KC metro salary~$54,920/year average
- AidPell Grant eligible
- Program lengthTwo semesters
- No prerequisitesNo college prerequisites required
- Class size1 instructor per 8 students
- AccreditationACEN accredited
- LocationSouthwest Missouri — near AR and OK
⚠️ Tuition figures based on 2024–2025 IPEDS data and school-published costs. Always contact schools directly for current costs before enrolling. Missouri has 30+ additional board-approved programs statewide.
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LPN Salary in Missouri — What You Can Expect to Earn
Missouri LPN salaries average $58,900/year per the Missouri Board of Nursing/BLS 2024 data. The state's two large metro markets — St. Louis and Kansas City — pay the most, while rural areas offer lower nominal salaries but significantly lower costs of living. Missouri does NOT require continuing education for license renewal — a unique advantage that saves time and money.
| City / Area | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 St. Joseph | ~$54,583 | ~$26.24 | Highest-paying MO city per Research.com |
| 🥈 Kansas City Metro | ~$54,920 | ~$26.40 | 4,600 LPNs employed — largest MO market |
| 🥉 St. Louis Metro | ~$52,400 | ~$25.19 | Major healthcare market — many employers |
| Springfield | ~$50,000–$54,000 | ~$24.04–$25.96 | SW Missouri hub — CoxHealth + Mercy Health |
| Statewide Average | ~$58,900 | ~$28.32 | MO Board of Nursing / BLS 2024 |
| Lee's Summit (KC suburb) | ~$52,184 | ~$25.09 | Growing KC suburb — strong demand |
Financial Aid & Free Money for Missouri LPN Students
Missouri LPN students have access to several powerful funding programs. STLCC's $6,000 total program cost makes it one of the most financially accessible LPN programs in the entire metro area.
At STLCC's $6,000 program cost, a full Pell Grant covers your entire tuition for eligible students. Even at higher-cost Missouri programs, Pell significantly reduces out-of-pocket expenses. File FAFSA at studentaid.gov immediately — always your first step.
Missouri's Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program provides need-based grants to Missouri residents attending eligible Missouri institutions. Contact your school's financial aid office or visit dhe.mo.gov for current awards available to LPN students.
Missouri's major health systems — BJC HealthCare, Mercy Health, SSM Health, and CoxHealth — sometimes sponsor LPN training for employees in exchange for a work commitment. Contact nursing recruitment directly at your preferred employer before enrolling.
If you work in healthcare as a CNA or aide at major Missouri employers, ask HR about tuition reimbursement before enrolling. BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health, and CoxHealth all have workforce development programs for healthcare employees.
Veterans and eligible dependents can use GI Bill benefits to cover full LPN tuition at Missouri's community colleges plus a monthly housing allowance. Fort Leonard Wood creates significant veteran population in central Missouri.
STLCC specifically offers childcare grants, an Archers' Market food pantry, and free tutoring to support students in financial need. For single moms considering STLCC's $6,000 program, these wraparound services make it even more accessible.
Missouri WIOA programs help displaced workers, single parents, and low-income adults enter high-demand healthcare careers. Contact your local Missouri Job Center for current training grant programs throughout the state.
At STLCC's $6,000 total cost, loans should rarely be needed. For other Missouri programs, federal Direct Loans offer lower interest than private loans. Complete FAFSA to access. Missouri does not require continuing education for LPN license renewal — saving long-term costs.
Smart Tips for Missouri Moms Considering an LPN Career
Here's what experienced Missouri nursing students wish they had known before starting their LPN journey.
- 🎺 STLCC's $6,000 program is a remarkable dealSt. Louis Community College's two-semester LPN program at $6,000 is dramatically cheaper than comparable programs in the St. Louis metro — many of which cost $15,000–$22,000. For eligible students, a Pell Grant covers the entire cost. STLCC also has exceptional student support: childcare grants, a food pantry, free tutoring. This is the value play in the St. Louis market.
- 🏆 Three Rivers College's 100% NCLEX rate is remarkableThree Rivers College in Poplar Bluff and Sikeston consistently achieves a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate — one of the strongest outcomes in Missouri. If you're in southeast Missouri and can attend Three Rivers, this is arguably the best clinical preparation in the region.
- 🌆 Missouri's dual metro markets give you real choiceMissouri is unusual in having two major metro healthcare markets — St. Louis and Kansas City. LPN graduates can choose which city to target for employment. Kansas City employs ~4,600 LPNs and the metro LPN salary averages $54,920. St. Louis is comparable. With an NLC license, KC LPNs can also work in Kansas — effectively accessing both states.
- 📋 Missouri doesn't require CE for license renewalUnlike many states, Missouri does NOT require continuing education hours for LPN license renewal. This is a real cost and time savings over the course of your career — you renew your license without having to complete and pay for CE credits every two years.
- 🏥 Crowder College — no prerequisites requiredCrowder College in Neosho, MO is one of the few Missouri LPN programs that requires no college prerequisite courses. Combined with its 1:8 instructor-to-student ratio and ACEN accreditation, Crowder is an accessible and high-quality option for students in southwest Missouri near the Arkansas and Oklahoma borders.
- 🎓 STLCC's RN Bridge is a clear next stepSTLCC offers a dedicated RN Bridge course for LPN graduates, allowing you to join the second year of the AAS in nursing program and become eligible for RN licensure. Missouri RNs earn significantly more than LPNs — planning your bridge from day one at STLCC creates the most efficient path to RN.
LPN to RN in Missouri — Should You Skip Straight to RN?
One of the most important career decisions you'll make. Here's an honest breakdown for Missouri students.
LPN first, or go straight to RN?
Missouri LPN salaries average $58,900/year — competitive for the Midwest. With STLCC offering a two-semester program for just $6,000 and Pell Grant potentially covering everything, starting as an LPN in Missouri carries very low financial risk. If you need income quickly, Missouri's strong dual-metro job market means consistent LPN employment opportunities statewide.
If time and money are not immediate barriers, going directly to an ADN or BSN program is worth considering. Missouri RNs earn significantly more per year than LPNs. STLCC's RN Bridge, Missouri State University, and University of Missouri all offer strong RN programs. Planning your bridge path from day one at STLCC saves the most time and credits.
Our sister site lpn-rn.com covers every Missouri LPN-to-RN bridge program in detail.
Explore LPN to RN Programs in Missouri →Prepare for the NCLEX-PN — 50 Free Practice Questions
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in Missouri. 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 Missouri
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