LPN Programs in New Jersey: Schools, Requirements & Salary (2026)
GoLPN Editorial Team · Updated
New Jersey LPN programs prepare students for a practical nursing career in one of the most populous and healthcare-rich states on the East Coast. With approximately 17,410 LPNs employed across the state and a median salary of $75,160 (BLS, May 2025), New Jersey offers steady demand and solid earning potential for licensed practical nurses. LPN schools in New Jersey are located throughout the state, from Bergen and Middlesex counties in the north to Camden County in the south, giving students numerous options close to home. The NJ Board of Nursing oversees all LPN licensure requirements. If you are searching for LPN classes in New Jersey, this guide covers the top programs, licensure requirements, salary data, and how to get started on your nursing career in the Garden State.
New to practical nursing? Our national guide to LPN programs explains what a program covers and how to compare schools, with every state in one directory.
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LPN Salary in New Jersey
The median annual wage for LPNs in New Jersey was $75,160 in May 2025, $10,760 above the national median of $64,400, and about 17,410 LPNs worked in the state (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025).
LPN Pay by Metro Area in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median annual wage | LPNs employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $75,910 | 32,410 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $75,380 | 880 |
| Vineland, NJ | $71,410 | 370 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $70,710 | 15,920 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $69,150 | 750 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,050 | 2,230 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, metropolitan areas; metro areas that cross state lines are included.
For detailed salary percentiles and metro-area data, see our complete LPN salary guide.
Find LPN programs in New Jersey
Search New Jersey Schools →How to Become an LPN in New Jersey
To practice as an LPN in New Jersey, you must complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Here's the process:
Complete prerequisites
High school diploma or GED, CPR/BLS certification, passing TEAS or HESI entrance exam score, background check, and current immunizations.
Enroll in an approved LPN program
Choose a program approved by the NJ Board of Nursing. New Jersey LPN programs typically require 600+ clinical hours across acute care, long-term care, and community health settings.
Complete coursework and clinical rotations
Programs cover nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, and mental health. Clinical rotations take place at hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics across New Jersey. Lectures can sometimes move online; compare LPN programs with online classes.
Pass the NCLEX-PN
After graduating, register with the NJ Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX-PN exam to earn your LPN license.
Apply for New Jersey licensure
Submit your license application through the NJ Board of Nursing. Processing typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. Many New Jersey employers hire pending license verification.
Top LPN Programs in New Jersey
The following accredited programs are among the most established LPN schools in New Jersey:
| School | City | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesex College | Edison | 12 months | In-person |
| Bergen Community College | Paramus | 12 months | In-person |
| Camden County College | Blackwood | 12 months | In-person |
| Eastwick College | Hackensack | 12 months | In-person |
Program details are subject to change. Verify current offerings directly with each school.
Browse LPN programs in all 50 states
LPN Program Completions in New Jersey, 2024–25
In the 2024–25 academic year, 19 institutions in New Jersey awarded 916 practical/vocational nursing certificates and degrees, according to the federal IPEDS survey. All of them are listed below (one row per institution and award level). Each name links to the school's College Navigator profile (cost, aid and accreditation).
| Institution | City | Award | Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Moorestown | Moorestown | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 166 |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Paramus | Paramus | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 119 |
| Eastwick College-Hackensack | Hackensack | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 117 |
| Lincoln Technical Institute-Iselin | Iselin | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 109 |
| Eastwick College-Ramsey | Ramsey | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 72 |
| Ocean County Vocational-Technical School | Toms River | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 60 |
| Salem Community College | Carneys Point | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 43 |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County, New Jersey | Cranford | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 43 |
| Essex County College | Newark | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 31 |
| Morris County Vocational School District | Denville | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 28 |
| Berkeley College-Woodland Park | Woodland Park | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 25 |
| MCVSD | Freehold | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 25 |
| Best Care College | East Orange | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 17 |
| Burlington County Institute of Technology-Adult Education | Westampton | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 17 |
| Hudson County Community College | Jersey City | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 14 |
| Atlantic Cape Community College | Mays Landing | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 13 |
| Holy Name Medical Center-Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing | Englewood Cliffs | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 12 |
| Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus | Vineland | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 3 |
| Camden County College | Blackwood | Certificate, 1 to 2 years | 2 |
Source: NCES, IPEDS Completions survey, 2024–25 (file C2025_A, provisional release): awards conferred July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 in CIP 51.3901, Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training, first majors; institutions with no awards that year are not shown. Download all states: CSV. IPEDS counts awards, not NCLEX results or current enrollment.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for New Jersey Programs
In 2025, 82.3% of first-time, U.S.-educated candidates testing for a New Jersey license passed the NCLEX-PN (1,423 of 1,729), compared with 86.6% nationally (NCSBN, 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics).
The New Jersey Board of Nursing (Division of Consumer Affairs) publishes each program's results. The 25 programs with the most candidates are below; all 36 are in our pass-rate tables.
| Program | Candidates | Passed | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| NJ - LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - PN | 162 | 152 | 93.83% |
| NJ - LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - ISELIN, Iselin | 149 | 123 | 82.55% |
| NJ - JERSEY COLLEGE | 130 | 129 | 99.23% |
| NJ - LINCOLN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - PARAMUS, Paramus | 107 | 102 | 95.33% |
| NJ - EASTWICK COLLEGE - HACKENSACK, Hackensack | 103 | 88 | 85.44% |
| NJ - PRISM CAREER INSTITUTE | 97 | 50 | 51.55% |
| NJ - PRISM CAREER INSTITUTE - EGG HARBOR, Egg Harbor | 93 | 59 | 63.44% |
| NJ - UNIVERSAL TRAINING INSTITUTE | 80 | 66 | 82.5% |
| NJ - EASTWICK COLLEGE - PN | 65 | 56 | 86.15% |
| NJ - MERIT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE | 59 | 39 | 66.1% |
| NJ - OCEAN COUNTY VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL | 55 | 52 | 94.55% |
| NJ - JERSEY COLLEGE | 50 | 49 | 98% |
| NJ - PINELANDS SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL NURSING AND ALLIED HEALTH, INC. | 50 | 32 | 64% |
| NJ - ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE | 47 | 41 | 87.23% |
| NJ - MIDDLESEX COUNTY VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL | 47 | 31 | 65.96% |
| NJ - SALEM COMMUNITY COLLEGE | 44 | 44 | 100% |
| NJ - PASSAIC COUNTY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE | 39 | 30 | 76.92% |
| NJ - UNION COUNTY COLLEGE | 39 | 36 | 92.31% |
| NJ - CAMDEN COUNTY COLLEGE - BLACKWOOD - PN, Blackwood | 38 | 33 | 86.84% |
| NJ - WARREN COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL | 36 | 14 | 38.89% |
| NJ - BEST CARE TRAINING INSTITUTE | 33 | 29 | 87.88% |
| NJ - MORRIS COUNTY SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY | 33 | 30 | 90.91% |
| NJ - CAPE MAY COUNTY TECHNICAL SCHOOL | 32 | 27 | 84.38% |
| NJ - MONMOUTH COUNTY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | 27 | 20 | 74.07% |
| NJ - BERKELEY COLLEGE | 19 | 18 | 94.74% |
Source: New Jersey Board of Nursing (Division of Consumer Affairs). Period: Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025; first-time candidates. “—” means the board does not publish that figure.
Career Pathways for New Jersey LPNs
Your LPN license in New Jersey opens several advancement routes:
MA to LPN
Already a medical assistant? Bridge programs can fast-track your LPN in 6–12 months.
CNA to LPN
CNAs can earn advanced standing and complete LPN programs faster.
LPN to RN
Advance to Registered Nurse for higher pay and more roles.
LPN to BSN
Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing for the widest career options.
Exploring options in nearby states? Check out LPN programs in New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Frequently Asked Questions: LPN Programs in New Jersey
How much do LPNs make in New Jersey?
The median LPN salary in New Jersey was $75,160 a year in May 2025, $10,760 above the national median of $64,400. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the highest median ($75,910), followed by Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($75,380) and Vineland, NJ ($71,410). (BLS, May 2025)
How long does it take to become an LPN in New Jersey?
Most New Jersey LPN programs take 12 months to complete as a full-time student. After graduation, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam and submit a licensure application to the New Jersey Board of Nursing, a process that typically takes an additional 2 to 6 weeks.
What are the best LPN programs in New Jersey?
Middlesex College in Edison and Bergen Community College in Paramus are among the most established community college LPN programs in the state. Camden County College in Blackwood serves southern New Jersey, and Eastwick College in Hackensack offers an accredited private school option in Bergen County.
Does New Jersey have online LPN programs?
Some New Jersey LPN programs incorporate hybrid formats, allowing students to complete lecture coursework online while attending clinical rotations in person. Fully online LPN programs are not available because clinical hours must be completed at approved healthcare facilities under direct supervision.
What does the New Jersey Board of Nursing require for LPN licensure?
The New Jersey Board of Nursing requires graduation from a state-approved practical nursing program, a passing score on the NCLEX-PN exam, a criminal background check, and submission of a licensure application with the required fees. New Jersey participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so licensed LPNs can practice in other compact states without obtaining an additional license.
Find LPN Programs in New Jersey
Compare accredited LPN programs near you. Search by location, schedule, and cost to find the right fit.
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Take the Free Career Quiz →Last updated: November 4, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 29-2061.