by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 985 U.S. colleges awarded 55,090 degrees and certificates in Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training. Certificates are the most popular award, at 81% of graduates. College Factual ranks 874 schools in its 2027 Best Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $45,614 one year after completing, rising to $56,491 after four years.
A degree in Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training covers Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Assist In Providing General Nursing Care Under The Direction Of A Registered Nurse, Physician Or Dentist. Includes Instruction In Taking Patient Vital Signs, Applying Sterile Dressings, Patient Health Education, And Assistance With Examinations And Treatment. Examples: [Licensed Practical Nurse (Lpn)], [Licensed Vocational Nurse (Lvn)], [Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training (Cert.)], [Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training (Dipl)], [Licensed Practical/vocational Nurse Training (Aas)].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., licensed practical/vocational nurse training is a widely-pursued major, with 55,090 degrees awarded annually. 985 colleges award licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees, an average of 56 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,748.
By level, the 55,090 awards include 44,857 certificates, 2,688 associate degrees, 6 bachelor’s degrees and 1,740 master’s degrees.
Women earned 89% of licensed practical/vocational nurse training degrees and certificates in the latest year (49,099 of 55,090). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (22,494) and Black or African American (14,370), and international students earned 352.
College Factual ranks 874 schools in its 2027 Best Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools ranking, including 49 for associate degrees. It also ranks licensed practical/vocational nurse training schools within 12 states. In all, 985 colleges offer licensed practical/vocational nurse training programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common licensed practical/vocational nurse training credential is the certificate: 44,857 of the 55,090 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to licensed practical/vocational nurse training call most for Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness and Coordination, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Psychology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Problem Sensitivity and Oral Expression.
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How long a licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 44,857 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,688 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,740 |
Some college courses is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to licensed practical/vocational nurse training, at 38.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college courses | 38.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 34.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 15.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training, with an average median salary of $118,810; the strongest outlook belongs to Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, at 14.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinic Nurse, Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (Clinic LPN), Private Duty Nurse and Radiation Oncology Nurse.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to licensed practical/vocational nurse training, at 3,176,121.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 3,176,121 | 14.4% |
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training graduates earn a median $45,614 one year after completing their program, $56,491 after four years and $48,140 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,614 |
| 4 years | $56,491 |
| 5 years | $48,140 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to licensed practical/vocational nurse training, with a median salary of $118,810.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $118,810 |
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training has 2 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 55,042 degrees a year; the largest are Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide (49,489) and Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other (5,553). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide | 49,489 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other | 5,553 |
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