Brunswick Community College — 100% NCLEX pass rate AND 100% job placement at just $1,283/semester
Brunswick Community College achieved 100% NCLEX-PN pass rates and 100% job placement in both 2022 and 2023 — among the strongest outcomes records in North Carolina. At just $1,283/semester in-state, Brunswick is one of the most affordable accredited LPN programs in the entire Southeast. Located near Wilmington, NC, Brunswick graduates have access to the growing coastal healthcare market and can work across the region on an NLC license.
Most Affordable LPN Programs in North Carolina
All programs below are approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). NC community college LPN tuition runs $2,000–$5,000 in-state — among the most affordable in the Southeast. Programs complete in 12 months full-time.
- In-state tuition$1,283/semester
- NCLEX-PN pass rate100% (2022 and 2023)
- Job placement100% (2022 and 2023)
- LocationSupply — near Wilmington coastal market
- AidPell Grant eligible
- NCLEX-PN pass rate100% (2023 and 2024)
- Credits44 credits — fall, spring, summer
- Duration1 year full-time
- LocationTarboro — eastern NC
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationCharlotte — NC's largest city
- ProgramLargest NCBON-approved program in Charlotte
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationRaleigh — Research Triangle market
- ProgramStrong NCLEX-PN outcomes
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationWinston-Salem — NC Triad area
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available at Forsyth
- AidPell Grant eligible
- NoteNovant Health + Wake Forest Baptist jobs
- LocationFayetteville — near Fort Liberty
- Military advantageLarge military + VA healthcare market
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- AidPell Grant + military aid eligible
- NoteStrong military spouse enrollment
⚠️ NC community college tuition is set per-credit with caps per semester. Actual costs vary by college and number of credits. Net price after financial aid often runs $2,000–$5,000 total. Always verify current costs directly with schools.
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LPN Salary in North Carolina — Three Growing Metro Markets
North Carolina's LPN median salary is $51,490/year per BLS May 2024 — below the national median but growing. The state employs approximately 20,010 LPNs. Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and the Triad (Greensboro/Winston-Salem) are three distinct metro markets each with their own salary dynamics. NC's cost of living is slightly below the national average, improving real purchasing power.
| City / Area | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Charlotte Metro | ~$54,000–$58,000 | ~$25.96–$27.88 | NC's largest city — Atrium Health hub |
| 🥈 Raleigh-Durham (Research Triangle) | ~$53,000–$57,000 | ~$25.48–$27.40 | Fast-growing — Duke Health + UNC Health |
| 🥉 Greensboro / Winston-Salem (Triad) | ~$51,000–$55,000 | ~$24.52–$26.44 | Novant Health + Wake Forest Baptist |
| Wilmington / Coastal NC | ~$50,000–$54,000 | ~$24.04–$25.96 | Growing coastal market — near Brunswick CC |
| Statewide Median (BLS) | ~$51,490 | ~$24.75 | BLS May 2024 |
| NC Cost of Living Index | ~96 | vs. 100 national avg | Slightly below national average |
Financial Aid & Free Money for North Carolina LPN Students
North Carolina has strong state financial aid programs including the NC Community College Grant that can significantly reduce already-affordable LPN tuition costs.
At NC community college tuition of $1,283–$4,355/semester, a Pell Grant can cover the entire LPN program cost for eligible students. North Carolina's community college system is one of the most affordable in the country — and Pell covers it entirely for many eligible students. File FAFSA at studentaid.gov first.
North Carolina provides need-based grants to eligible residents attending NC community colleges. Apply through your school's financial aid office. Combined with Pell Grant, many NC students pay zero out-of-pocket for their LPN education at community colleges.
Atrium Health (Charlotte) and Duke Health (Durham) sometimes sponsor nursing training for employees in exchange for a work commitment. Contact nursing recruitment directly. UNC Health and WakeMed (Raleigh) may have similar programs. These are NC's dominant health systems.
If you work in healthcare at major NC employers like Atrium Health, Novant Health, Duke Health, or Vidant Health, ask HR about tuition reimbursement before enrolling. NC's major health systems actively support nursing workforce development.
Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) makes Fayetteville Technical CC an especially military-connected program. Veterans use GI Bill benefits; military spouses may qualify for MyCAA scholarships up to $4,000. All NC NCBON-approved programs are VA-certified.
North Carolina WIOA programs help displaced workers, single parents, and low-income adults enter high-demand healthcare careers. Contact your local NCWorks Career Center for current training grant programs throughout the state.
Rural North Carolina — particularly in the Eastern Coastal Plain and mountain regions — has many federally designated Healthcare Provider Shortage Areas. LPNs working in these communities may qualify for HRSA loan repayment of $30,000+ over 2 years of rural service.
With NC Community College Grant + Pell Grant potentially covering the entire low NC community college tuition, loans should rarely be needed. Complete FAFSA to access if required. NC's below-average cost of living makes any modest loan manageable on an LPN salary.
Smart Tips for North Carolina Moms Considering an LPN Career
Here's what experienced North Carolina nursing students wish they had known before starting their LPN journey.
- 🌲 NC community college tuition is among cheapest in the SouthAt $1,283–$4,355/semester in-state, North Carolina community colleges offer some of the most affordable accredited LPN programs anywhere in the Southeast. Combined with a Pell Grant covering the full cost for many eligible students, NC is one of the genuinely best LPN value states in the country. The quality of outcomes (Brunswick CC's 100% NCLEX, Edgecombe's 100% NCLEX) proves cheap does not mean low quality here.
- 🏆 Brunswick CC's 100% outcomes at lowest price — remarkableBrunswick Community College achieves 100% NCLEX pass rates and 100% job placement at the lowest semester tuition in NC. This combination is genuinely rare — affordable AND outstanding outcomes. If you can commute to Supply, NC near Wilmington, Brunswick CC is one of the best LPN value propositions in the entire Southeast.
- 📈 Target Charlotte or Raleigh for NC's highest salariesCharlotte and Raleigh both pay LPNs $53,000–$58,000/year — significantly above the state median. Central Piedmont CC (Charlotte) and Wake Technical CC (Raleigh) both put graduates directly in these premium markets. Even if you train at a lower-cost program elsewhere in NC, consider targeting these metros for employment after graduation.
- 🪖 Fort Liberty = military community advantageFayetteville Technical CC near Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) has one of the strongest military-connected LPN programs in NC. Military spouses can use MyCAA scholarships up to $4,000. Active duty can use Tuition Assistance. The Fayetteville area's large military and VA healthcare market provides consistent LPN employment after graduation.
- 💡 NLC arbitrage — train cheap elsewhere, work in NCNorth Carolina is an NLC state. If you earned your LPN license in a cheaper NLC state — like Kentucky ($2,870 total program cost) or Iowa (free tuition with Future Ready Iowa Scholarship) — your NLC compact license is valid in North Carolina. For students who can be flexible about where they train, this is a real cost-saving strategy.
- 🎓 Mayland CC's LPN-to-ADN is exceptionalMayland Community College's LPN-to-ADN hybrid program is ACEN-accredited with a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023 and 2024 — no entrance exam required. For LPNs who want to bridge to RN, Mayland's program is one of the strongest and most accessible in North Carolina.
LPN to RN in North Carolina — Should You Skip Straight to RN?
LPN first, or go straight to RN?
North Carolina LPN salaries median at $51,490/year — below the national median, but the state's 49 NCBON-approved programs and low community college costs make starting as an LPN very financially accessible. Brunswick CC at $1,283/semester + Pell Grant = potentially free education. Charlotte and Raleigh offer above-average NC salaries. If you need income quickly, NC's 20,010 LPNs employed statewide reflects a strong and consistent job market.
If time and money are not immediate barriers, going directly to an ADN or BSN program is worth considering. NC RNs earn significantly more. Duke, UNC, and numerous community colleges offer strong RN programs. Mayland CC's 100% NCLEX-RN bridge is particularly accessible. Our sister site covers all NC LPN-to-RN options in detail.
Explore LPN to RN Programs in North Carolina →Prepare for the NCLEX-PN — 50 Free Practice Questions
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina
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