9. Total tuition — CNA under $2K, LPN $10K-$15K, RN $6K-$40K+
Tuition variance across the three paths is dramatic. CNA programs commonly run $500 to $2,000 total, often subsidized by long-term care employers who then hire graduates. Some nursing homes fully cover the course in exchange for a work commitment of 6 to 12 months.
LPN tuition typically lands between $10,000 and $15,000 for a full program at a community or technical college. State-funded schools sit at the low end, private career colleges at the high end. Financial aid, Pell Grants, and workforce development grants are widely available for LPN candidates.
RN costs split sharply. A community-college ADN commonly runs $6,000 to $20,000 total. A public university BSN sits around $40,000, and private BSNs can exceed $80,000. AACN and state board data confirm the ADN remains the most cost-effective path to RN licensure and NCLEX-RN eligibility.
