Practical Nursing in Denver: How Long It Takes, What It Costs, and Where to Train

Ask four Denver practical nursing schools how long their program takes and you will hear four different answers: roughly ten months, twelve months, two semesters, and three to four semesters. All four can be true. The variation comes from what each calendar includes or leaves out: prerequisites finished beforehand, part time study, and the wait for a selective cohort. Treat the timeline as the first thing to unpack, then check approval, accreditation, entry requirements, in person attendance, and every charge before graduation.

Terminology matters here. The license Colorado issues is the licensed practical nurse credential, shortened to LPN. Some national websites call the same role an LVN, for licensed vocational nurse, but that title is not used in this state. The certificate or diploma is only the schooling half: a graduate must also satisfy state licensing requirements, including passing the NCLEX-PN, before working as an LPN.

This page stays with confirmed entry level practical nursing in Denver and Aurora. Other offerings with nursing in the name are different products: a nurse aide certificate prepares you for aide work, an RN associate degree for a different license, and a bridge toward a BSN starts after practical nursing.

The Four Programs on One Page

School and town	Award and size	Published study length	How the price is published	Attendance pattern, and standing as the school reports it
Pickens Technical College, Aurora	Certificate in practical nursing built from 38.5 credits at college level	Two semesters, roughly a year	An estimate totalling $17,853, from a sheet the school revised in November 2025; books may cost extra	Weekday sessions through the full day; continuing accreditation through ACEN
Community College of Denver, in Denver itself	Certificate in practical nursing (credit total disputed between school sources; see below)	Three to four semesters	No single published total; the bill follows your residency and course mix, so request an estimate built for you	Campus teaching with skills labs and 405 hours of clinical work; the school reports state approval plus ACEN accreditation
Concorde Career College, Denver	Diploma in practical nursing worth 35.5 credits counted by the semester	Around ten months for the average full time student, over 40 weeks of instruction	A catalog figure of $35,518.50 dated May 15, 2026, with estimated books and a technology fee inside it	Teaching on campus alongside clinical education; approved by the state, with continuing ACEN accreditation
Emily Griffith Technical College, Denver	Practical Nursing program	A year studying full time; eighteen months part time	A program cost figure of $15,970 published by the school, open to academic year updates	In person throughout; daytime study, with evening and weekend patterns also published; continuing accreditation through ACEN

Do not line those prices up as if built the same way: a public college charging by the credit, a technical college quoting a program estimate, and a private catalog bundling books into a total are three different arithmetic habits, and outside charges may sit inside one figure and outside another. Get the complete charge list confirmed before signing anything.

LPN, LVN, CNA: Sorting the Titles

Three abbreviations cause most confusion. An LPN is a licensed nurse who has finished an approved practical nursing program and passed the NCLEX-PN. LVN is the label other states give to substantially the same role; it is not a Colorado credential. A CNA, or certified nurse aide, completes much shorter preparation for aide duties under a separate certification, with a narrower scope of work. Aide training is not a shortcut into practical nursing. What qualifies a graduate to seek licensure is not the award name (the Denver programs below grant certificates or a diploma rather than a degree) but that the program is approved for practical nursing education in Colorado.

The Schools, One at a Time

Emily Griffith Technical College: A Year Full Time, or Eighteen Months Part Time

Emily Griffith Technical College sits in Denver and offers practical nursing over a year of full time study, or eighteen months part time. The published program cost is $15,970, subject to academic year updates, and entry requires the same checks as other programs: background check, drug screen, and immunisations. As the school reports it, practical nursing holds continuing accreditation through ACEN, and approval is set out on its own page for the program. One detail worth noting: the first full time intake listed was January 12, 2027, and that start had already closed at the time of checking, so anyone relying on that date should confirm the next opening before assuming availability. Published NCLEX-PN first time pass rates were 84.21 percent for 2022, 67.31 percent for 2023, and 70.97 percent for 2024: a downward trend the school publishes openly, and a prompt to ask what has changed in support or teaching since 2024.

Pickens Technical College: A Two Semester Certificate, With the Accreditation Story Sorted

Pickens Technical College in Aurora runs a certificate in practical nursing built from 38.5 credits at college level, typically completed in two semesters, about a year. The published estimate of costs, from a sheet the school revised in November 2025, totals $17,853, with books possibly extra: the breakdown lists tuition at $11,935, with the remainder made up of fees and other charges, so confirm the full item list. Study is weekday sessions through the full day. The accreditation history matters here: Pickens was previously on a probation period with ACEN, but its April 2026 reaffirmation confirmed continuing accreditation and lifted the good cause finding, with the next comprehensive review scheduled in spring 2034. State approval is in place, and the ultimate NCLEX-PN pass rate for 2022 to 2024 is 84.4 percent. If a school’s standing was ever questioned, ask for the most recent decision letter rather than relying on an older summary.

Concorde Career College: The Private, Ten Month Diploma

Concorde Career College in Denver offers a diploma in practical nursing worth 35.5 credits counted by the semester, spread across 1,015 contact hours over roughly 40 weeks for the average full time student, about ten months. The catalog total dated May 15, 2026 is $35,518.50, split as tuition $32,624.50, books $2,294, and a technology fee of $600. That single bundled figure makes comparison easier than a credit by credit estimate, but it is also the highest headline figure among the four, so the question is what the extra money buys: smaller cohorts, support, or simply a private model. Concorde reports state approval and continuing ACEN accreditation, with teaching on campus alongside clinical education. Start dates published were November 30, 2026 and February 15, 2027: confirm whether those cohorts are open, and what happens if a cohort does not fill.

Community College of Denver: The Credit Count Discrepancy, and Why It Matters

The Community College of Denver practical nursing certificate in Denver itself is the hardest of the four to pin down, because the school’s own sources disagree on the credit total: the catalog records 47 credits, while the program page lists 51 credits for the same certificate. That four credit gap affects both time and cost, so ask admissions to confirm the current total in writing before enrolling. The program runs three to four semesters, with campus teaching, skills labs, and 405 hours of clinical work. Entry is by holistic review, and the prerequisites include ENG 1021, MAT 1120, and either BIO 1006 or BIO 2101 with BIO 2102, plus 2 credits of medical terminology. The school reports state approval plus ACEN accreditation. Cost is charged by the credit and varies with residency and course mix: no single published total exists, so request an estimate built for your residency and planned load.

Matching a Program to Your Working Life

If you need to keep working, the decisive question is the timetable, not the headline length. Pickens runs weekday sessions through the full day, which suits someone who can step away from work for a year. Emily Griffith publishes daytime study with evening and weekend patterns also available, and a part time route over eighteen months, so it is the first place to check if evenings or weekends are essential. Concorde’s ten month full time diploma is the fastest route but demands the most intense attendance. CCD’s three to four semester certificate, with campus teaching and clinical hours, suits someone who can pace study across semesters but needs a public college price. Whatever the pattern, ask for the actual weekly timetable for the next cohort, including clinical days, before assuming a program fits around a job.

Getting In: What to Have Ready

Prerequisites and placement. At CCD, the prerequisite list is specific: ENG 1021, MAT 1120, either BIO 1006 or BIO 2101 with BIO 2102, and 2 credits of medical terminology. Other schools publish their own entry lists, so confirm the exact courses, grades, and placement tests for the cohort you want.
Background check and drug screen. Expect both, and expect clinical sites to apply their own rules on top of the school’s. One caution deserves emphasis: Colorado law and federal rules do not align on marijuana, and a positive drug screen can block clinical placement even where use is lawful under state law. Do not assume a school will waive a clinical site’s requirement.
Immunisations and health checks. Clinical placement requires current immunisations and health documentation; start the paperwork early, because a missing record can delay a start.
Selective entry. Practical nursing cohorts are selective, and a waitlist is possible. Ask how places are allocated, whether prior coursework or test scores rank applicants, and how long a waitlist place typically lasts.
Application deadlines. Start dates are cohort based: Emily Griffith’s January 12, 2027 full time start had already closed, and Concorde listed November 30, 2026 and February 15, 2027. Treat published dates as perishable and confirm the next open intake.
Cost confirmation. Get the charge list in writing, including books, fees, uniforms, exam costs, and any technology fee, and ask what is refundable if you withdraw before the cohort starts.

The Calendar Question, Answered Properly

The only honest answer to “how long does it take” has three parts. First, prerequisites: if you still need ENG, MAT, or biology courses, add that time before the program itself. Second, the program’s own length: ten months at Concorde, about a year at Pickens and Emily Griffith full time, eighteen months part time at Emily Griffith, and three to four semesters at CCD. Third, the wait: selective entry and cohort availability can add a term or more. A school quoting ten months is quoting the middle part only. Ask for the full timeline from application to first day of class, and from first day to graduation, for the cohort you would actually join.

What the Whole Qualification Really Costs

The published figures are $15,970 at Emily Griffith, an estimate of $17,853 at Pickens, $35,518.50 at Concorde, and a credit by credit bill at CCD that depends on residency and load. On top of those, budget for books where not included, uniforms, background check and drug screen fees, immunisation costs, transport to clinical sites, and the NCLEX-PN exam fee and licensing application fee. Financial aid availability differs sharply: public colleges and technical colleges typically offer federal aid routes and, where eligible, state support, while a private catalog price may still be covered by federal aid but at a higher loan amount. Ask the financial aid office for a net price after grants, not the sticker figure, and confirm whether the program is eligible for the aid you plan to use.

Clinical Training, and Why No Denver LPN Route Is Fully Online

Every Denver practical nursing program in this guide teaches on campus and places students in clinical settings: CCD lists 405 hours of clinical work, Concorde lists 1,015 contact hours across the diploma, and Pickens and Emily Griffith both describe in person teaching with clinical education. No fully online route to LPN licensure exists in Denver, because clinical competence cannot be demonstrated remotely and the state approval framework requires supervised clinical experience. Any provider promising a fully online LPN qualification should be treated with suspicion and checked against the state board’s approved program list. Ask each school where clinical placements happen, how far students travel, and what happens if a placement site withdraws.

From Graduation to a Colorado LPN License

First, choose schooling that is approved. Graduation must come from a program approved for practical nursing education in Colorado; approval and accreditation are separate checks, and both matter. Second, apply for licensure with the Colorado Board of Nursing. The application asks for education details, background information, and fees; answer every question honestly, because omissions cause delays. Third, register for the NCLEX-PN and pass it. The exam is the national licensing examination for practical nurses, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and a passing result is required before licensure. Fourth, complete the background check and any additional board requirements. Fingerprinting and background screening are part of the process, and clinical site requirements during study do not replace the board’s own checks. Fifth, keep the license current. Colorado LPN licenses renew on August 31 in even numbered years, and renewal carries continuing requirements that the board publishes; diarise the date and check the board’s current renewal rules rather than relying on a school handout.

Work, Pay, and Where an LPN Credential Can Lead

Licensed practical nurses work in hospitals, long term care, clinics, home health, and physicians’ offices, with duties that include medication administration within scope, wound care, monitoring, and documentation under RN or physician supervision. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses at $64,400 in May 2025, with employment projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035: steady rather than explosive, and a reminder that local employer demand matters more than a national average. An LPN credential also opens a bridge: many Denver LPNs later pursue an LPN to RN program, and some credits may transfer, though transfer depends on the receiving school and the accreditation of the original program. Ask both schools, before enrolling, how many credits typically transfer and into which RN program.

Questions to Put to Every Program Before You Pay a Deposit

Is the program currently approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing, and what is its current ACEN accreditation status, with the most recent decision letter?
What is the complete charge list, including books, fees, uniforms, and exam costs, and what is refundable if I withdraw?
What is the actual weekly timetable for the next cohort, including clinical days and travel expectations?
What are the most recent first time NCLEX-PN pass rates, and what support is offered to students who fail on the first attempt?
How are places allocated if the cohort is oversubscribed, and how long does a waitlist place last?
Where do clinical placements happen, and what happens if a placement site withdraws?
What is the drug screening policy, including how clinical sites treat marijuana, and what support exists if a screen is positive?
How many credits typically transfer into an RN program, and which RN programs accept them?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an LPN in Denver?

Between ten months and four semesters of program study, plus any prerequisite time and any wait for a cohort. Concorde’s diploma is around ten months full time; Pickens is two semesters, about a year; Emily Griffith is a year full time or eighteen months part time; CCD is three to four semesters. Add prerequisite courses and the application wait to get the real timeline.

How much does LPN school cost in Denver?

Published figures range from $15,970 at Emily Griffith and an estimate of $17,853 at Pickens, to $35,518.50 at Concorde, with CCD charging by the credit according to residency and load. Books, fees, uniforms, exam and licensing costs sit on top where not included, so compare complete charge lists, not headlines.

Is an LPN the same as an LVN?

Substantially the same role, different label: Colorado licenses practical nurses as LPNs, while some other states use LVN. The credential does not transfer by name alone; moving states requires meeting the new state’s licensing requirements.

Can I become an LPN fully online in Denver?

No. Every Denver program in this guide teaches on campus with supervised clinical placements, and state approval requires clinical experience that cannot be completed remotely. Treat any fully online LPN promise with suspicion.

What are the entry requirements?

Typically a high school diploma or equivalent, prerequisite coursework (at CCD: ENG 1021, MAT 1120, biology, and medical terminology), placement testing where required, a background check, a drug screen, and immunisation records. Selective cohorts may rank applicants or use holistic review.

What is the NCLEX-PN pass rate picture?

Published first time rates vary by school and year: Emily Griffith reported 84.21 percent in 2022, 67.31 percent in 2023, and 70.97 percent in 2024, while Pickens reported an ultimate pass rate of 84.4 percent for 2022 to 2024. Ask each school for its most recent first time rate and what support follows a failed attempt.

Can an LPN become an RN later?

Yes, through an LPN to RN bridge program, and some practical nursing credits may transfer. Transfer depends on the receiving school, so confirm it with both institutions before enrolling.

When does a Colorado LPN license renew?

On August 31 in even numbered years, subject to the board’s current renewal requirements. Check the Colorado Board of Nursing’s published rules rather than relying on a school handout.

Building Your Shortlist

Start with the timetable you can actually attend, then filter by total cost after aid, then by approval and accreditation standing, then by the most recent pass rates. Visit the campus if you can, sit in on a skills lab session, and talk to current students about clinical placement travel and support. A school that answers the questions above clearly, in writing, is a better bet than one that answers with a brochure. Keep comparing: LPN to RN Programs in Denver · ADN Nursing Programs in Denver · BSN Programs in Denver · RN to BSN Programs in Denver

Additional nursing resources: How to Become an LPN in Colorado · Nursing School Admission Requirements · Nursing School Costs and Financial Aid · Colorado NCLEX Preparation