🏆 Rhode Island — #2 in the Nation for LPN Salaries
At $75,470/year average, Rhode Island LPN salaries are second only to California. CCRI in-state tuition of ~$5,000 combined with a full Pell Grant can make your education essentially free — while positioning you to earn $75,470/year. The return on investment math here is extraordinary.
Most Affordable LPN Programs in Rhode Island
All programs below are approved by the Rhode Island Board of Nursing with strong NCLEX-PN track records. Note that CCRI is the only public LPN program in the state.
- StatusONLY public LPN program in Rhode Island
- Campuses4 locations statewide
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- TypePublic charter high school — grades 9–12
- CostCompletely FREE to all RI students
- Timeline4-year program — LPN eligible at graduation
- LocationProvidence, RI
- NoteHigh school students ONLY
- TypePrivate technical college
- LocationEast Greenwich, RI
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- AidFinancial aid available
- NoteMore scheduling flexibility than CCRI
- AffiliationHospital-based program
- LocationNorth Providence, RI
- Clinical sitesMultiple RI hospitals & clinics
- AidFinancial aid available
- NoteStrong hospital employment pipeline
⚠️ Tuition figures based on 2024–2025 IPEDS data. Always contact schools directly for current costs before enrolling.
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LPN Salary in Rhode Island — #2 in the Nation at $75,470/yr
Rhode Island is the #2 highest-paying state for LPNs in the entire country. According to Research.com citing BLS 2024 data, Rhode Island LPNs earn an average of $75,470/year. Providence Metro pays the most. The state's high cost of living accounts for part of this premium — but even adjusted, RI LPN wages are genuinely exceptional.
| City / Area | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Providence Metro | ~$72,000–$80,000 | ~$34.62–$38.46 | RI's largest city — #2 nationally |
| 🥈 Warwick / Cranston | ~$70,000–$76,000 | ~$33.65–$36.54 | Providence suburb — strong demand |
| 🥉 Pawtucket / Central Falls | ~$68,000–$74,000 | ~$32.69–$35.58 | Dense population — many LPN employers |
| Newport County | ~$67,000–$72,000 | ~$32.21–$34.62 | Tourism + healthcare — unique market |
| Statewide Average (Research.com) | ~$75,470 | ~$36.28 | #2 highest in the nation — BLS 2024 |
| Statewide Average (BLS range) | ~$59,090–$77,240 | ~$28.41–$37.13 | Range across BLS data sources |
Financial Aid & Free Money for Rhode Island LPN Students
With CCRI tuition at ~$5,000–$8,000, a Pell Grant can cover your entire LPN education in Rhode Island. Here are all the major funding sources available.
At CCRI (~$5,000–$8,000), a full Pell Grant can cover your entire tuition for eligible students — making Rhode Island LPN education essentially free while positioning you to earn $75,470/year. Apply at studentaid.gov immediately.
The Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner administers need-based grants for RI residents attending RI institutions. Apply through CCRI's financial aid office. Combined with Pell, many students pay zero out of pocket.
Rhode Island Promise may cover CCRI tuition for eligible recent high school graduates. Combined with Pell Grant, this can make your entire LPN education at CCRI completely free. Check eligibility at ccri.edu/promise.
If you work at Lifespan (Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital) or Care New England, ask HR about tuition reimbursement before enrolling. These are RI's two dominant health systems and both actively support nursing workforce development.
Lifespan and Care New England sometimes sponsor LPN training for employees in exchange for a work commitment. Contact nursing recruitment directly at Rhode Island Hospital or Women & Infants Hospital — these opportunities are rarely advertised.
Veterans and eligible dependents can use GI Bill benefits to cover full CCRI tuition plus a monthly housing allowance. CCRI is VA-certified. Given RI's $75,470 average LPN salary, this is one of the best veteran nursing education values in New England.
Rhode Island DHS can cover childcare costs while you attend your LPN program. Contact RI DHS at dhs.ri.gov for current childcare assistance programs — a critical resource for single moms pursuing LPN certification.
With CCRI tuition at ~$5,000–$8,000 and Pell Grant + RI state grants available, loans should rarely be needed. But if required, federal Direct Loans offer low interest rates. With RI LPN salaries averaging $75,470, repayment would be very fast.
Smart Tips for Rhode Island Moms Considering an LPN Career
Here's what experienced Rhode Island nursing students wish they had known before starting their LPN journey.
- ⚓ Rhode Island is the #2 LPN salary state — full stopAt $75,470/year average, Rhode Island LPN wages are second only to California. If you live in or near Rhode Island and are considering an LPN career, the salary alone makes this one of the best states in the country for this path.
- 🆓 The secret FREE LPN pathway for RI high schoolersThe Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter High School in Providence is completely free to Rhode Island students and results in LPN eligibility at graduation. If you have a child or family member currently in high school in RI, this is an exceptional — and almost completely unknown — opportunity.
- 📋 CCRI + Pell Grant = path to $75K salary for near-zero costCCRI's in-state tuition of ~$5,000–$8,000 combined with a Pell Grant of up to $7,395 can make your education essentially free — while positioning you to earn $75,470/year. Few educational investments anywhere in America offer this ratio. File FAFSA at studentaid.gov first.
- 🏥 Lifespan and Care New England are your top employersLifespan Health System (Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, Hasbro Children's) and Care New England (Women & Infants, Butler Hospital) are the two dominant healthcare employers in RI. Both actively recruit LPNs. Clinical rotations at either system often lead directly to job offers.
- 🌉 The LPN-to-RN gap is smaller here — LPN pays very well standaloneRhode Island's elevated salary market means the LPN-to-RN wage gap (~$13,990/year) is smaller than the national average. The LPN credential alone pays $75,470/year here — making it a genuinely strong standalone career choice, not just a stepping stone.
- 📍 Small state = the whole job market is your neighborhoodRhode Island is so small that you can reach virtually any healthcare facility in the state within 30–45 minutes. Every LPN job in Rhode Island is effectively within commuting distance — you have access to the entire state's job market without relocation.
LPN to RN in Rhode Island — Should You Skip Straight to RN?
One of the most important career decisions you'll make. Here's an honest breakdown — Rhode Island's high salaries make this calculation different from most states.
LPN first, or go straight to RN?
Rhode Island is unique because the LPN salary here ($75,470/year average) is so high that the LPN credential is genuinely compelling as a standalone career choice — not just a stepping stone. The LPN-to-RN salary gap in RI (~$13,990/year) is smaller than the national gap ($26,340/year), which changes the financial calculus compared to other states.
If time and money are not immediate barriers, going straight to an ADN or BSN program still makes financial sense long-term. Rhode Island RNs earn approximately $89,460/year — about $13,990 more per year. CCRI and the University of Rhode Island both offer strong RN pathways. But unlike most states, starting as an LPN in Rhode Island is financially strong even as a long-term choice.
Our sister site lpn-rn.com covers every Rhode Island LPN-to-RN bridge program in detail.
Explore LPN to RN Programs in Rhode Island →Prepare for the NCLEX-PN — 50 Free Practice Questions
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island
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