by our College Data Analytics TeamA 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)]. Continue reading for the important information every licensed practical/vocational nurse training major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering licensed practical/vocational nurse training programs.
In the U.S., licensed practical/vocational nurse training is a widely-pursued major, with 50,931 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training Schools ranking analyzes these 954 schools to determine the best overall colleges for licensed practical/vocational nurse training students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of licensed practical/vocational nurse training programs later in this article.
Coursework for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a licensed practical/vocational nurse training program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a licensed practical/vocational nurse training major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several licensed practical/vocational nurse training degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 40,853 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,247 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,441 |
People currently working in careers related to licensed practical/vocational nurse training tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in licensed practical/vocational nurse training careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying licensed practical/vocational nurse training opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to licensed practical/vocational nurse training.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to licensed practical/vocational nurse training.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 3,176,121 | 14.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $45,399 |
| 4 years | $42,279 |
| 5 years | $47,962 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for licensed practical/vocational nurse training graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers licensed practical/vocational nurse training grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $118,810 |
With 954 different licensed practical/vocational nurse training programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased licensed practical/vocational nurse training school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in licensed practical/vocational nurse training, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide | 44,550 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other | 4,506 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
