Bethlehem, PAprivate forprofitwww.falconihs.com/
Falcon Institute of Health and Science is a hyper-focused vocational school in Bethlehem, PA, offering a single, intensive Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program with a 100% acceptance rate and a pragmatic, hands-on approach. With a 66% graduation rate and a tight 15:1 student-faculty ratio, it attracts career-changers and aspiring nurses seeking a fast track into healthcare—no frills, just clinical training within walking distance of public transit.
Falcon Institute has a 100% acceptance rate, admitting all 33 applicants in 2024—though this open-door policy comes with stringent background checks and academic requirements. Applicants must pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and submit PA Criminal History Record Check and FBI fingerprinting clearance before admission. The school does not require SAT/ACT scores, focusing instead on vocational readiness for its sole LPN program.
Falcon’s entire academic identity revolves around its Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) diploma program, with no other majors offered. The curriculum blends classroom instruction with real-world clinical rotations, emphasizing hands-on skills like patient care and medication administration. Students benefit from a 15:1 student-faculty ratio and an 88% retention rate, though the program’s intensity is reflected in its 66% graduation rate (12 of 18 students completed in recent cohorts).
Life at Falcon is no-nonsense and urban, with 186 students (all undergraduates) commuting to a campus near Bethlehem’s public bus lines. The institute offers flexible tracks, including a full-time day program that lets students graduate in under a year. There’s no traditional campus vibe—no dorms, no sports teams—just a career-focused cohort training in clinical labs. Yelp reviews highlight the program’s 'life-changing' intensity, with students often balancing jobs and family obligations alongside coursework.
Two-thirds of Falcon students complete the LPN program, slightly below the national average for certificate schools (68%). The institute doesn’t publish licensure exam pass rates or job placement stats, but its focus on clinical rotations suggests graduates leave with practical experience. Recent enrollment pushes for a Medical Assistant program (launched May 2023) hint at expanding vocational options, though nursing remains the core offering.
Tuition for Falcon’s LPN program runs $28,869—close to the national midpoint for certificate programs—but 79% of students receive federal Pell Grants (averaging $7,189), and 96% take out loans (averaging $10,272). The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid is $45,181, though the institute’s financial aid page promotes options like Parent PLUS Loans. Notably, no institutional scholarships are offered, leaving students reliant on federal aid.
Falcon’s singular focus on nursing—with no electives, no gen-eds, and no distractions—makes it a rare breed: a vocational school that doesn’t pretend to be a college. Its 100% acceptance rate and urban-commuter vibe cater to non-traditional students, while the TEAS exam and FBI checks ensure only serious candidates enter. For those who thrive, the payoff is clear: a diploma in 12 months and a foot in the door of healthcare, with no time wasted on extracurriculars.


