Compare NCLEX pass rates, costs, program lengths, and outcomes for BSN programs near Marietta, Georgia.
Nursing education in Georgia increasingly centers on hospital networks that demand BSN-prepared hires, and few areas illustrate that pressure better than Marietta. The city lies squarely in the Atlanta metro, with WellStar Health System’s flagship facilities and Piedmont’s nearby campuses absorbing hundreds of new graduates each year.
For students, that clinical density creates a clear advantage but also sharpens the need to choose a program with strong NCLEX performance and manageable debt; with many top nursing schools in Georgia located here, the calculus revolves around program cost, outcomes, and proximity to these employers.
These BSN programs are all within commuting distance of Marietta, Georgia, ranked by a combination of institutional quality, affordability, and local clinical connections. The list includes both public and private options, from Atlanta's top research universities to accessible state colleges and technical schools.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | $15,000/yr | Cobb County commuters seeking local BSN | |
Kennesaw State’s main campus sits just north of Marietta in Cobb County, making it the closest major BSN program for area residents. The university offers traditional and accelerated prelicensure tracks, plus an RN-to-BSN completion option, with extensive clinical placements at Wellstar and other metro-Atlanta hospitals. As a public institution, it provides in-state tuition and access to HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships, keeping costs low for qualified Georgia students.
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| #2 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $23,000/yr | High-achievers wanting elite Atlanta clinicals | |
Emory University in Atlanta offers a top-tier BSN and a distance-accelerated BSN for career changers, drawing on its nationally ranked nursing school and deep clinical network. Students complete rotations at Emory Healthcare and partner hospitals across the metro area, giving Marietta-area enrollees access to high-acuity and specialty settings. As a private institution, tuition does not differ by residency, but Georgia residents may qualify for state aid and Emory’s own need-based assistance.
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| #3 | Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | $9,000 – $25,000/yr | Budget-minded students needing Atlanta public option | |
Georgia State University’s Atlanta Campus offers both a four-year BSN and an ASN pathway through Perimeter College, all at public-university tuition rates. Marietta students benefit from in-state pricing, HOPE/Zell Miller eligibility, and easy interstate or transit access. Nursing graduates routinely post high NCLEX pass rates and secure jobs in the city’s large hospital systems, making it a cost-effective pipeline into metro-Atlanta nursing.
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| #4 | Mercer University | Macon, GA | $24,000/yr | ||
Mercer University’s School of Nursing offers BSN programs at its Atlanta campus, including a traditional two-year prelicensure track and an accelerated second-degree option. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice and clinical judgment, with rotations in metro-Atlanta hospitals that are convenient for Cobb County commuters. In-state financial aid is available through state programs, and the private institution’s flat tuition applies regardless of residency.
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| #5 | Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | $22,000/yr (net price) | ||
Berry College in Mount Berry, about a 75-90 minute drive from Marietta, provides a CCNE-accredited BSN with over 650 clinical hours and a 100% NCLEX pass rate as of 2024. Multiple pathway options, including Direct Admit and Fast Track, allow students to tailor their entry into nursing. Clinical partnerships are centered in northwest Georgia, making it a strong choice for those who want to practice in the region after graduation.
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| #6 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | $9,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville offers a highly regarded public BSN program with a 92% NCLEX pass rate and a state-of-the-art simulation center. Competitive admission requires a 3.0 GPA and 70% on the ATI TEAS exam. Marietta residents qualify for in-state tuition and HOPE/Zell Miller support, and the curriculum includes leadership development and research opportunities.
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| #7 | Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin, GA | $6,000/yr | ||
Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin provides an affordable ASN pathway with in-state tuition for all Georgia residents. The six-semester program integrates theory and clinical practice, with admission requiring a 2.5 GPA, prerequisites, and a nationalized entrance test. While clinical sites are primarily in south-metro Atlanta, the low net price makes it an economical RN route for Marietta-area students willing to commute.
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| #8 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome, GA | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Rome offers an ACEN-accredited ASN program geared toward North Georgia’s healthcare needs. Admission is competitive, requiring a 3.0 GPA and 75% on the HESI exam, and graduates see strong job placement in regional facilities. With in-state tuition and a mission-driven curriculum, it is a cost-conscious option for Marietta residents willing to relocate or undertake a longer commute.
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| #9 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Georgia Southern University’s BSN program in Statesboro and Savannah blends hands-on simulation training with clinical experiences primarily in southeast Georgia. The 124-credit-hour curriculum requires a 3.0 GPA and the Evolve Reach admission exam. While the location is farther from Marietta, in-state tuition and a strong professional nursing focus make it a viable public-university choice for those open to relocation.
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| #10 | Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins, GA | $7,000/yr | ||
Central Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins provides an ACEN-accredited ASN program with low in-state tuition and financial aid availability. The campus-based curriculum blends theory and practice, admitting students with a high school diploma or GED who are 18 or older. While the central Georgia location is less convenient for Marietta residents, the program offers an expedient and affordable entry into nursing.
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The table below compares tuition and average net price for BSN programs near Marietta, GA. All three institutions are public universities, so the net price reflects sector-conditional averages after grants and scholarships. Keep in mind that net price is an institution-wide figure, not specific to nursing, so actual program costs may vary.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Average Net Price (After Aid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton State College | $3,336 | $10,656 | $5,012 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | $3,268 | $10,588 | $6,842 |
| Clayton State University | $5,180 | $16,532 | $8,365 |
NCLEX-RN pass rates measure the percentage of a nursing program’s graduates who pass the national licensing exam, typically on their first attempt. This metric is one of the clearest signals of how well a school prepares students for entry-level nursing practice. For prospective students near Marietta, knowing where to find and how to interpret these numbers is just as important as the rates themselves, especially since some local schools do not publish recent outcomes directly.
Pass rates tell only part of the story. Accreditation reports from CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) often include detailed program-level outcomes, such as completion rates and employment percentages, that go beyond the licensing exam. These self-study documents are usually accessible on a program’s public webpage and can offer a fuller picture of student success.
When reviewing pass rates, focus on first-time pass rates over at least two or three years rather than a single reporting cycle. This smooths out year-to-year fluctuations caused by small cohort sizes or one-time changes in curriculum. Also, compare the rates to state and national averages: a program that consistently meets or exceeds the benchmark (typically above 80-85% for first-time testers) demonstrates a stable track record. If a program’s data is not readily available, contacting the admissions office for a recent outcome summary is a reasonable next step.
For prospective nurses in Marietta, the length and format of a BSN program can be the deciding factor between starting your career quickly or taking a more traditional pace.
A standard Bachelor of Science in Nursing typically spans four years of full-time study, combining general education prerequisites with core nursing coursework and clinical rotations. At Marietta-area schools like Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University, this four-year timeline allows students to build foundational knowledge gradually while completing supervised clinical hours.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, an accelerated BSN (ABSN) or second-degree program compresses the nursing curriculum into 12 to 18 months. These intensive, full-time tracks are designed for career changers who can commit to a rigorous schedule. Marietta offers several options: South College Marietta’s 18-month campus-based ABSN1, Emory University’s 12-month hybrid Distance Accelerated BSN2, and Mercer University’s 12-month on-campus Second-Degree Accelerated BSN3. Brenau University (16 months)4 and the University of North Georgia (15 months)5 also provide accelerated pathways, while Chamberlain University Atlanta offers a 36-month fast-track pre-licensure BSN6 for those who need a slightly longer timeline.
For current registered nurses with an associate degree, RN-to-BSN bridge programs typically take one to two years and are often available online or in hybrid formats. Many of the universities near Marietta, including Kennesaw State and Georgia Southern, offer RN-to-BSN completion tracks, but specific program details vary, so check with each school. LPN-to-BSN bridges are less common but do exist at some institutions, blending practical experience with a bachelor’s curriculum.
Several of the accelerated tracks incorporate online coursework with in-person clinical placements. Emory’s Distance ABSN, for instance, delivers didactic content online while requiring on-site labs and clinicals in the Atlanta area.2 Most traditional and on-campus accelerated programs, like those at Kennesaw State and South College, remain primarily face-to-face. When comparing programs, consider not just the length but how the delivery mode fits your life, hybrid and online options can reduce commute time, but hands-on patient care still demands physical presence.
For nursing students eyeing Marietta, a quick scan of the numbers tells a clear story: a wide range of program costs, manageable debt levels, and strong earning potential after graduation. Here are the key figures at a glance.
Return on investment (ROI) for a nursing program measures how much a graduate earns relative to what they borrowed. For programs accessible from Marietta, GA, the numbers show several pathways where starting earnings quickly surpass education debt.
Using a standard 10-year repayment plan with a typical 5% interest rate, monthly student loan payments stay manageable.
With starting salaries in the $2,500, $3,000 range before taxes, these payments leave most of the paycheck free for other living costs. Even the highest-debt programs in the area keep monthly obligations under $70, making the nursing degree a strong financial move for Marietta students.
Choosing a nursing program involves weighing location, cost, and outcomes. Below are answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about nursing schools in and near Marietta, including details on NCLEX pass rates, program formats, and tuition comparisons.
Looking beyond the top-ranked programs, there are many more nursing schools within reach of Marietta. This expanded directory includes BSN, ADN, and bridge programs across Georgia, organized by region to help you compare options.
