LPN Programs in Michigan: Online and On-Campus Training
Explore state-approved LPN programs in Michigan that can qualify you to become a nurse in two years or less.
If you live in Michigan and are looking for a fast way into the healthcare field, becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) can be a great choice. There are a variety of state-approved LPN programs in Michigan that can prepare you to obtain your LPN license in two years or less, including some that feature online coursework.
This guide can assist you in finding the LPN program in Michigan that best suits your academic needs and career goals. You’ll find a list of this year’s top programs to get you started on your search, plus helpful information on what you’ll learn during your studies, what it takes to become licensed after graduation, and much more.
College Spotlights: Best LPN Programs in Michigan
The best LPN programs in Michigan spotlighted below showcase schools offering strong combinations of affordability, study flexibility, and access to quality student services. Most importantly, these programs are all approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing. This means you can feel confident they prepare students to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), a key requirement for getting your Michigan practical nurse license. Read more about each program below and see if one meets your needs.
Delta College
Delta’s Practical Nurse Advanced Certificate program combines didactic nursing and related classes and state-of-the-art labs on Delta’s University Center campus with clinical practice experiences attended at local-area hospitals and healthcare facilities. In addition to teaching practical nursing skills, the program’s classes, labs, and clinicals also help students develop the critical thinking, team building, and communication skills essential for a successful healthcare career.
The three-month full-time program begins each fall and lasts one year. Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent and completion of prerequisite courses in English, biology, and other health-related subjects, some of which can be taken partially or entirely online.
With an in-district per-credit tuition rate of $127, Delta College is quite affordable, especially with its tuition payment plan that allows students the option of interest-free monthly installment payments.
Northwestern Michigan College
Located in Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is another public community college with notably affordable tuition rates. Current in-district tuition costs for the program are $118/credit for general education courses and $131/credit for nursing courses.
NMC’s Practical Nursing Certificate of Achievement is notable for its unique two-semester length. Admission requires completion of three prerequisite courses, which are available online, and some of the required nursing courses are also available online. Students interested in earning an associate degree in nursing can opt for NMC’s ADN Completion program.
As with many other LPN programs in Michigan, there is a waitlist for admissions. Students must complete all program eligibility requirements, including prerequisite courses, before being placed on the waitlist.
FAQs About LPN Programs in Michigan
What skills do you learn in LPN programs in Michigan?
In addition to qualifying graduates to take the NCLEX-PN, LPN programs in Michigan provide students with a solid foundation of practical nursing knowledge and skills for success in their practice as working professionals. Specific skills that practical nursing students are taught include:
- The ability to provide safe, evidence-based care to patients within the scope of practical nursing practice. Specific skills include the proper administration of medications and use of medical equipment, prevention of patient injuries, and proper monitoring of patient health.
- The ability to work effectively under the supervision of doctors, registered nurses, and other leadership and management personnel as well as to direct and delegate the work of nurse assistants, orderlies, and other unlicensed staff.
- Effective use of oral and written communication skills when interacting with patients and their families as well as with medical/healthcare team members.
- Demonstrated interest and participation in the continued development of professional knowledge and skills to improve patient outcomes and client-centered care.
How much do LPN programs cost in Michigan?
Tuition rates are surprisingly affordable and consistent for community college LPN programs in Michigan, as indicated by the tuition figures listed below. Total program costs are substantially higher, though, once additional expenses like books, supplies, uniforms, transportation, etc. are added.
Private school LPN programs are typically more expensive when compared to public school programs. However, costs for these programs are often mitigated through school-sponsored scholarships and other tuition reduction opportunities. Most private and some public Michigan LPN programs also offer tuition payment plans.
Alpena Community College
Total Credits: 35.5
$145/credit (in-district); $231/credit (out-of-district)
Jackson College
Total Credits: 33
$176/credit (Jackson County and extended county); $199/credit (out-of-county); $264/credit (out-of-state and international)
Schoolcraft College
Total Credits: 44.5
$135/credit (resident); $194/credit (non-resident); $268/credit (out-of-state and international)
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LPN program in Michigan?
Financial aid available to Michigan practical nursing students includes loans, scholarships, grants, work-study programs, employer tuition reimbursement programs, and VA benefits for active military and veterans. State of Michigan resources include an array of MI Student Aid opportunities, including the Michigan Board of Nursing’s Nurse Scholarship Program.
Find out about additional funding opportunities you may be eligible for by contacting the financial aid offices at individual schools. For more great information and advice on paying for your LPN program, check out EduMed’s financial aid and LPN scholarships guides.
How long do LPN programs in Michigan take to finish?
LPN programs in Michigan promise quick entry into the nursing profession with most programs designed to be completed in about one year. Most consist of three consecutive semesters (including one in the summer) of full-time study. Exceptions include Northwestern Michigan College’s two-semester program and Muskegon Community College’s four-semester program. Most programs start every fall. Exceptions include Monroe County Community College (winter start) and Jackson College (spring start).
LPN programs in Michigan typically include one to five prerequisite courses that must be completed before starting the LPN curriculum. Remember, also, that many LPN programs in Michigan have waiting lists and, in most cases, students cannot be placed on those lists until all prerequisite coursework is completed.
Inside Look at Online LPN Programs in Michigan
All Michigan LPN programs are campus-based with no online LPN programs in Michigan, so most classes and all labs will be attended in person. You’ll also attend clinical practice experiences either on-campus or at program-affiliated healthcare facilities in the school’s local area. However, LPN students usually have online access to certain course components like readings, written assignments, and even recorded lectures. Students will also likely communicate with instructors and fellow students online. Additionally, programs offer a few prerequisites and/or nursing courses either fully or partially online.
LPN Licensing Information and Requirements in Michigan
All practical nurses employed in Michigan must have an LPN license issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). You’ll submit your license application and pay the application fee of $208.80 using the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPlus) portal.
LPNs with current unencumbered practical nurse licenses from another state usually obtain their licenses through the Licensure by Endorsement method. Those seeking LPN licensure for the first time use the Licensure by Examination method. Detailed information on requirements for both methods can be found in the LARA Nursing Licensing Guide. Below is a look at the major elements for obtaining first-time LPN and for renewing current licenses in Michigan.
Education and Training
Michigan LPN license applicants must graduate from an LPN education program approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing (MBN). You can confirm current approval status of Michigan LPN programs using MBN’s Registered Nurse Programs list. While not a requirement for licensure, prospective LPN students in Michigan may want to consider programs that are also nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Professional Nursing Examination
First-time LPN license applicants must also pass the NCLEX-PN. Following online submittal of your LPN license application, you’ll register for the NCLEX-PN through the exam’s administrator, Pearson VUE. Once confirmed that your license application is complete, Pearson VUE issues an Authorization to Test that allows you to schedule and take the exam. Pearson VUE sends test results directly to LARA.
Additional LPN License Requirements
Applicants for LPN licensure in Michigan must also:
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Answer questions to confirm good moral character.
- Complete training to identify victims of human trafficking.
- Verify and submit documentation of any current or previous nursing licenses to LARA.
License Renewal & Continuing Education
Michigan LPN licenses are valid for two years beginning on the date issued. Renewal happens via the same MiPlus portal used for initial license application and costs $128.50. Renewal also requires 25 hours of continuing education in programs or courses approved by the MBN, including at least two hours on the topic of pain and pain and symptom management. CE program requirements must be completed during the two years immediately preceding the application for license renewal.
Salary and Job Outlook for LPNs in Michigan
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education present a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to earnings and job growth for LPNs in Michigan. The DOE’s Projections Central website, for example, reports basically a flat line when it comes to job growth for LPNs in Michigan over the next several years. However, there are also over 1,000 new Michigan LPN job openings projected annually over that same period resulting from currently-employed practical nurses retiring or moving up into RN and advanced nursing careers.
Salaries for Michigan LPNs, as indicated by the earning figures below from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, are healthy. Earnings statewide and in many communities are notably higher than those for practical nurses in the nation overall.
Job Outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses in Michigan (2018-2028)
| New Jobs | Job Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 120 | -0.8% | 1,150 |
| United States | 78,100 | 10.7% | 66,300 |
Source: Projections Central
Annual Earnings for Licensed Practical Nurses in Michigan
| 10th Percentile | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $41,160 | $52,250 | $63,940 |
| United States | $34,560 | $47,480 | $63,360 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $43,730 | $54,260 | $63,510 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $42,300 | $52,100 | $62,900 |
| Bay City, MI | $41,480 | $48,230 | $67,550 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $43,530 | $56,190 | $65,290 |
| Flint, MI | $37,080 | $55,000 | $64,400 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $41,450 | $48,340 | $61,090 |
| Jackson, MI | $42,010 | $55,160 | $64,410 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $42,360 | $52,280 | $63,460 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $42,420 | $52,000 | $63,630 |
| Midland, MI | $38,020 | $48,690 | $62,590 |
| Monroe, MI | $42,250 | $49,230 | $63,030 |
| Muskegon, MI | $39,930 | $47,180 | $57,910 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | $41,620 | $52,600 | $64,560 |
| Saginaw, MI | $41,530 | $49,020 | $60,010 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020
Michigan LPN Student and Professional Resources
Detroit Black Nurses Association
Grand Rapids Black Nurses Association
Kent County, Kalamazoo-Muskegon Michigan Black Nurses Association
Michigan Nursing Students Association
National Association of Hispanic Nurses – Michigan Chapter
