Online & Hybrid LPN Programs in Alabama: Top Schools for 2027
No matter your current experience or level of education, an accredited LPN program can help you get into the healthcare field quickly. This guide showcases top online LPN programs in Alabama, and walks you through LPN certifications and requirements in the state. Also get answers to FAQs, read salary & career outlooks, and more.
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Inside Alabama’s Online LPN Programs
While no school in Alabama provides fully online LPN programs, there are flexible programs that offer hybrid learning or evening and weekend classes. Like most healthcare programs, LPN programs require hands-on training; even if you sign up for online classes, you’ll still have to do clinical requirements in person. Below, we’ve listed two LPN programs in Alabama to give you an idea of what a quality program looks like.
Herzing University
The Practical Nursing Program at Herzing University features experienced instructors, an Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)-accredited curriculum, and extensive real-world clinical experiences. Throughout this 48-credit LPN program, students tackle various theoretical and practical classes to prepare for state licensure.
Essential courses include foundations of nursing, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, and mental health/geriatric nursing.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $350 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) admission exam passing score or a GPA of 3.5+
Curriculum:
- Anatomy and Physiology I for Nursing (Course & Lab)
- Foundations of Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- Patient Assessment
- Pharmacology
- Medical Surgical Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- Maternal and Child Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- Adult/Child Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- Mental Health/Geriatric Nursing (Course & Clinical)
- NCLEX-PN Review
Wallace Community College
Alabama’s Wallace Community College is home to a flexible, three-semester practical nursing program with an ACEN-accredited curriculum and a roster of experienced instructors. Students can complete this 49-credit practical nursing program on a day track or evening and weekend track; clinical opportunities are also provided.
Before graduation, students complete a three-credit course designed to prepare them for the transition to professional nursing.
Duration: 18 months
Mode: In-person, with flexible evening and weekend classes
Cost: $13,040.50 (Day Track) to $14,128.50 (Evening and Weekend Track)
Admissions Requirements:
- Unconditional acceptance into Wallace Community College
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum GPA of 2.3 OR a 2.3 cumulative GPA at Wallace Community College
- Completion of the TEAS exam within three years of the application deadline
Curriculum:
- Health Assessment
- Introduction to Pharmacology
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Adult Nursing
- Maternal and Child Nursing
- Adult/Child Nursing
- Psychosocial Nursing
- Role Transition for the Practical Nurse
- Human Anatomy Physiology I & II
FAQs from LPN Students in Alabama
You may have additional questions about program requirements, career outcomes, and related topics. Below, we’ve answered some commonly asked questions regarding Alabama’s LPN programs.
How long does it take to become an LPN in Alabama?
Generally, it takes about a year to become an LPN in Alabama. There are a variety of different programs that combine general education and practical nursing curriculum. Although many traditional LPN programs take 18 months to complete, there are accelerated LPN programs that allow you to become an LPN in six to 12 months.
The process for becoming an LPN in Alabama includes the completion of an LPN program and background check. You’re also required to pass the NCLEX®-PN before receiving your license.
What’s the difference between a CNA and an LPN?
LPNs undergo more extensive healthcare training and typically have more responsibility, such as assisting with medical procedures and wound care. CNAs often work under LPNs to monitor vital signs, help with minor procedures, or assist patients with routine tasks.
What’s the difference between an RN and an LPN?
The differences between RNs and LPNs are their responsibilities and education. While LPNs can assist patients with basic healthcare needs, such as monitoring vitals or collecting samples, the training to become an LPN isn’t as extensive as the training for RNs.
LPN programs are generally shorter than RN programs. Becoming an RN generally takes at least two years since RNs must have an associate’s degree (at minimum). RNs also typically make more than LPNs, with a median income of $86,070 compared to $59,730 for LPNs.
What are the requirements for an online or hybrid LPN program in Alabama?
In most cases, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED. Some programs will require you to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®), especially if you have a low GPA.
If some of your classes are online, you’ll also want to have access to a computer, reliable internet connection, and video conferencing software. Some schools may have additional requirements depending on how their LPN program is run.
How much does it cost to become an LPN?
The programs we found in Alabama ranged between roughly $13,000 and $20,000. However, the price of becoming an LPN varies based on factors like program length, residency status, and program mode, with online classes often being more affordable.
Of course, taking advantage of financial aid and scholarships can help offset the cost of your practical nursing degree and can even help you graduate from nursing school debt-free. Another way to save money is by searching for more affordable LPN programs.
Alabama’s Path to Practical Nurse Licensure
Before becoming a licensed practical nurse, you’ll have submit to a thorough background check. You can read more about the Alabama Board of Nursing’s background check process here.
After completing your background check, passing the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam is typically the final hurdle before securing your license. This comprehensive exam challenges test-takers to utilize nursing knowledge and critical thinking across multiple practice areas.
After becoming licensed, LPNs are required to renew their Alabama license every two years; the window for renewal is Sept. 1-Dec. 31 in odd-numbered years. To renew, you’ll need to pay $100 license fee and complete 24 hours of continuing education over a two-year period. LPNs failing to renew their license by 4:30 p.m. on December 31st (odd-numbered years) are no longer legally allowed to practice nursing.
What to Expect as a Working LPN in Alabama
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| Area ↕︎ | 10th Percentile ↕︎ | Median ↕︎ | 90th Percentile ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $39,880 | $57,030 | $69,120 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $44,860 | $57,090 | $62,180 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $37,620 | $50,630 | $62,280 |
| Birmingham, AL | $45,680 | $61,040 | $69,120 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $46,290 | $59,330 | $68,680 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $41,070 | $58,280 | $67,350 |
| Decatur, AL | $46,350 | $58,010 | $72,270 |
| Dothan, AL | $34,270 | $47,820 | $57,260 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $39,510 | $55,360 | $65,640 |
| Gadsden, AL | $42,100 | $56,040 | $60,790 |
| Huntsville, AL | $40,360 | $59,860 | $70,990 |
| Mobile, AL | $46,620 | $57,030 | $68,440 |
| Montgomery, AL | $33,260 | $55,410 | $65,500 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $39,880 | $55,360 | $65,040 |
Source: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Data does not reflect school-specific information.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| Area ↕︎ | Curr. Jobs ↕︎ | Proj. Jobs ↕︎ | New Jobs ↕︎ | Growth % ↕︎ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕︎ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 651,400 | 668,500 | 17,100 | 2.6% | 54,400 |
| Alabama | 11,320 | 11,900 | 580 | 5.1% | 990 |
Source: Projections Central, 2024-2034
Ranking the Best Online LPN Programs in Alabama
Northwest Shoals Community College
Program Details
- Location: Muscle Shoals, AL
- SACSCOCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 85%Students W/ Aid
- $3,409Avg. Aid Amount
- 18/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Northwest Shoals Community College
- The Practical Nursing program is state approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and nationally accredited by ACEN, giving graduates a well-recognized credential and strong quality assurance.
- Students benefit from a clear 1+1 pathway that seamlessly bridges the PN certificate into the associate degree nursing (RN) program, supporting efficient career and educational advancement.
- The program offers hands-on clinical, laboratory, and simulation experiences on both Shoals and Phil Campbell campuses, providing extensive real-world training and regional access.
Program Details
- Location: Muscle Shoals, AL
- SACSCOCAccreditation
- YesCounseling Services
- PublicSchool Type
- 85%Students W/ Aid
- $3,409Avg. Aid Amount
- 18/1Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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