Delaware County Technical School-Practical Nursing Program

The 12-month Practical Nursing Program is a boot camp for future LPNs, with a curriculum laser-focused on skills like patient care, medication administration, and working under RNs or physicians. There’s only one major here—Licensed Practical Nurse Training—and no electives to distract from the goal. The program’s "hands-on training" ethos is evident in its structure: classroom theory blends with clinical rotations, preparing students for the NCLEX-PN exam. Some high school students can even dual-enroll to graduate with both a diploma and LPN credentials. Notably, the program shares similarities with Delaware Tech’s Practical Nursing Studies (though it’s unclear if credits transfer), emphasizing real-world readiness over academic exploration.

Don’t expect dorm parties or campus clubs—this is a commuter program where students juggle intensive coursework with outside jobs. Social media glimpses (like Cohort 66’s graduation reel) show tight-knit cohorts bonding over clinicals, not tailgates. The vibe is workmanlike, with students often balancing families or healthcare jobs alongside studies. Housing isn’t provided, and the "campus" is purely functional: classrooms, labs, and clinical sites. But the program fosters camaraderie through shared rigor; Instagram posts highlight graduates heading into roles as travel nurses, home aides, and hospital staff, suggesting a culture of mutual support amid the grind.

The ROI here is stark: 89.8% NCLEX-PN pass rates (beating state averages) and a 90% job placement rate since 2016. Graduates earn a median of $36,427 within a year—respectable for an LPN’s starting salary—with many entering hospitals, schools, or home healthcare. The program’s Instagram celebrates alumni as "healthcare heroes," and its Facebook touts graduates’ "dedication" in a field hungry for workers. No frills, no debt-saddled limbo: this is vocational training with a near-guaranteed paycheck at the end.

At $24,233 for in-district students, the program isn’t cheap, but it’s a fraction of a four-year degree’s cost. The average financial aid package is $4,999, and net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators suggest some students pay closer to $17,821. Unlike traditional colleges, there’s no room/board or extracurricular fees—just tuition, books, and scrubs. Scholarships and federal aid are available, but most students likely fund this as a short-term investment: one year of expenses for a credential that delivers immediate employment.

This program is the antithesis of the liberal arts college: no selectivity, no campus life, no detours. Its value lies in ruthless efficiency—transforming students into employable LPNs in one year flat. The 90% job placement rate and near-90% NCLEX pass rate prove it works. For career-changers, parents, or teens who want to skip the "college experience" and go straight to a stable job, it’s a compelling alternative. Just don’t expect ivy-covered halls or philosophy electives.