Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, earnings, and program formats across Georgia's ranked nursing programs.
Georgia registered nurses earned a median $82,610 in 2024, underscoring steady demand as the state’s healthcare sector expands. From technical college ADN programs that cost under $5,700 a year to university-based BSN tracks exceeding $64,000, the range of options is wide.
Choosing a school means weighing net price, NCLEX pass rates, program format, and eventual earnings. The 29 ranked schools offer traditional campus BSNs, a hybrid option, and accelerated pathways for students with prior degrees.
With net prices spanning almost $17,000 and graduate median earnings roughly $44,000 apart, finding the right program calls for matching cost to career goals.
The 2026 rankings of Georgia nursing schools highlight programs that balance academic quality, affordability, and career outcomes. From elite research universities to community-focused technical colleges, this list provides a snapshot of the state's best pathways to becoming a registered nurse. Explore each school's profile below to compare program formats, net price, and long-term earning potential.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $23,000/yr | Students seeking research and leadership roles | |
Emory's nursing programs combine rigorous academics with unparalleled access to major Atlanta healthcare systems like Emory Healthcare and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The traditional BSN offers a hybrid format blending liberal arts and clinical immersion, while the distance-accelerated BSN allows students to complete coursework online alongside on-campus intensives and local clinical placements. Graduates leave prepared for leadership roles, with long-term earnings potential well above national medians and a strong reputation that opens doors across Georgia and beyond.
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| #2 | Mercer University | Macon, GA | $24,000/yr | Rural and community health nursing focus | |
Mercer prepares nurses through multiple BSN tracks on its Macon and Atlanta campuses, with a mission to serve Georgia's rural and underserved communities. The Traditional Prelicensure pathway is known for a high NCLEX pass rate and strong clinical placements, while the Second Degree Accelerated track offers a fast hybrid option for career-changers. Graduates benefit from Mercer's deep ties to regional health systems and a median debt level that remains manageable given typical nursing salaries.
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| #3 | Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | $9,000 – $30,000/yr | Cost-conscious liberal arts nursing pathway | |
As Georgia's designated public liberal arts university, GCSU offers an affordable BSN that balances broad-based education with rigorous clinical training. The program boasts a 92% NCLEX pass rate and strong placements in central Georgia hospitals and agencies. With in-state tuition and access to state aid, it's a cost-effective choice that still delivers leadership and research opportunities often associated with larger institutions.
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| #4 | Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin, GA | $6,000/yr | ||
Southern Crescent Technical College's ASN program is designed to meet the nursing workforce needs of the southern metro Atlanta region. The six-semester curriculum combines theory with local clinical practice, and graduates are eligible for Georgia's HOPE grant and scholarship programs, keeping costs low. With a median graduate debt of just $9,500 and strong regional job placement, it's a practical pathway to RN licensure.
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| #5 | Berry College | Mount Berry, GA | $22,000/yr (net price) | ||
Berry College's BSN program stands out for its 100% NCLEX pass rate and job offer record, built on over 650 clinical hours and close partnerships with northwest Georgia hospitals. Small cohorts allow for personalized mentoring, and pathways like Direct Admit and Fast Track cater to students seeking an accelerated or seamless start. Graduates often stay in the region, addressing local nursing shortages with strong preparation.
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| #6 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome, GA | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Georgia Northwestern Technical College's ASN program is a focused, mission-driven pathway for North Georgia residents. With a low net price and access to state aid, it's highly affordable, and graduates enter the workforce with minimal debt. The program's strong NCLEX pass rates and job placement in regional hospitals make it a reliable choice for those committed to serving local communities.
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| #7 | Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | $9,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Georgia State University trains nurses in downtown Atlanta, offering both BSN and ASN pathways that leverage the city's major health systems. The BSN provides a broad four-year curriculum with research and critical thinking emphasis, while the ASN at Perimeter College boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate and direct bridge into the BSN. With in-state tuition and extensive financial aid, GSU opens doors to high-acuity urban nursing roles.
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| #8 | Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, GA | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Georgia Southern's BSN program prepares nurses for roles in rural and community settings across South Georgia. With state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical rotations in regional hospitals, students build hands-on skills grounded in professional practice. The program's affordability, supported by in-state tuition and HOPE scholarship access, makes it an attractive option for students in the southern part of the state.
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| #9 | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw, GA | $15,000/yr | ||
Kennesaw State operates one of Georgia's largest BSN programs, with traditional and accelerated formats serving the North Atlanta region. The program's extensive clinical partnerships across metro hospitals ensure robust hands-on experience, while the hybrid RN-to-BSN completion track offers flexibility for working nurses. KSU's size and public tuition rates make it a major pipeline for staffing Georgia hospitals and clinics.
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| #10 | Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins, GA | $7,000/yr | ||
Central Georgia Technical College's ASN program addresses critical nursing shortages in the Warner Robins and Macon area. The curriculum blends theory and practice, and the program's accreditation ensures a quality foundation for the NCLEX-RN. With very low tuition and Georgia state aid eligibility, it's an affordable entry into nursing for residents of central Georgia.
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Choosing a nursing program often means balancing cost against long-term earning potential. Our rankings aim to spotlight Georgia schools that deliver strong value without burying you in debt.
We evaluate each school using five data points: net price (the average cost after gift aid), graduation rate, program-level median earnings of graduates, median debt, and a return-on-investment ratio that compares earnings to debt. Together they show not just how affordable a program is upfront, but how it pays off over time. Note that the graduation rate and net price figures are drawn from the institution’s overall undergraduate population, not solely nursing majors. This is a standard limitation of federal data, and we note it so you can interpret results fairly.
Every program in our list holds current CCNE or ACEN accreditation, verified through the CCNE directory1 and the Georgia Board of Nursing’s approved list. This ensures programs meet national standards for curriculum and clinical training. For example, Emory University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State, Augusta University, Mercer University, and Georgia Southern University all carry CCNE accreditation, reflecting a strong commitment to quality.
Many ranking sites rely on self-reported surveys or select salary data. We pull earnings and debt outcomes directly from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, which reports program-level results based on actual graduate data. This means the numbers you see reflect real-world returns, not just institutional marketing. By focusing on objective, comparable metrics and screening for accreditation upfront, our methodology cuts through noise and helps you compare Georgia nursing programs on the factors that most directly affect your career and finances.
The net price shown is the average amount students pay after grants and scholarships, as reported by the schools. These figures are for the entire institution and may not reflect the exact cost of a nursing program. For the most accurate estimate, check directly with the school's financial aid office.
Cost and earnings data paint a clear picture of value across Georgia's nursing programs. Net price (after grants and scholarships) ranges from a negative figure at Coastal Pines Technical College, where aid exceeds cost, to over $22,000 at Emory University. Median debt at completion also varies widely, from $4,500 at Augusta Tech to $18,250 at Emory. The earnings column uses 10-year median figures from the College Scorecard; program-specific one-year earnings are not yet available. This comparison lets you quickly spot the schools where low upfront cost and manageable debt align with strong earning potential.
| School | Net Price (after aid) | Median Debt at Completion | 10-Year Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal Pines Technical College | -$126 | N/A | $30,214 |
| West Georgia Technical College | $2,457 | $11,110 | $35,479 |
| North Georgia Technical College | $4,005 | $7,823 | $32,932 |
| Southern Crescent Technical College | $5,661 | $9,500 | $36,104 |
| Georgia Northwestern Technical College | $5,720 | $6,421 | $35,759 |
| Gwinnett Technical College | $6,696 | $13,000 | $45,025 |
| Central Georgia Technical College | $7,052 | $9,608 | $30,848 |
| Augusta Technical College | $10,485 | $4,500 | $33,523 |
| Southeastern Technical College | $10,612 | $5,750 | $30,329 |
| Emory University | $22,585 | $18,250 | $80,137 |
When choosing a Georgia nursing program, you’ll encounter primarily traditional campus-based BSNs, though a small number of hybrid and online formats exist. Among the 29 programs ranked on topnursing.org, 27 are campus-based, one is hybrid (Emory University), and one is fully online (Dalton State College’s RN-to-BSN). Compare the key trade-offs below.
Choosing between an ADN and a BSN often hinges on how quickly you want to start working versus how far you plan to advance. Georgia offers multiple entry points into nursing, from two-year associate degrees to fast-track programs for career switchers. Understanding the differences can help you align your education with your professional goals.
An ADN is the quickest path to becoming a registered nurse, typically completed in two years at a community or technical college. These programs focus on core clinical skills and prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. However, many hospitals now prefer or require a BSN for new hires, and advancement into leadership, research, or specialty roles often demands a bachelor's degree later. ADN graduates can bridge to a BSN while working, but the initial ceiling is worth considering if you plan to climb the career ladder.
A four-year BSN includes the same clinical preparation as an ADN, plus coursework in evidence-based practice, community health, and leadership. It has become the preferred credential for magnet hospitals and opens doors to roles in management, school nursing, and public health. Many Georgia employers now give hiring preference to BSN-prepared nurses, and the degree positions you for graduate study.
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN lets you leverage your prior education and earn a nursing degree in 12 to 18 months. These rigorous, full-time programs are designed for high performers. Among ranked Georgia schools, notable options include:
Prerequisites vary, but most programs demand strong science backgrounds and competitive standardized test scores.
For nurses who already hold an ADN, an RN-to-BSN program offers a flexible, often online pathway to earn a bachelor's degree in as little as two semesters. Many universities in the topnursing.org Georgia rankings provide this option, enabling working RNs to meet the growing employer preference for BSN credentials without pausing their careers.
The 2026 topnursing.org Georgia nursing school rankings include both associate and bachelor's programs, allowing you to filter results by degree level. Whether you are looking for a quick ADN start or a direct-entry BSN, the list helps you compare options that match your educational background and timeline.
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates are a key indicator of how well a nursing program prepares students for licensure. In 2025, the national average first-time pass rate was 86.7%. Below, we compare rates from select Georgia programs.
Follow these five steps to earn your Georgia RN license. The process includes completing an approved nursing program, passing the NCLEX-RN, and meeting the state's background check and continuing education requirements.
Nursing school admissions in Georgia are a two-step process: meeting general university prerequisites and then clearing the nursing program's specific entry requirements. Each school sets its own standards for GPA, entrance exams, and prerequisite coursework, so understanding the landscape before you apply is essential.
Most nursing programs in Georgia require a set of core science prerequisites, typically including anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and statistics. Many BSN programs also expect courses in chemistry, English, and psychology. For the entrance exam, the ATI TEAS is widely used at schools like Georgia State, Kennesaw State, and Georgia Southern. A few programs, such as Augusta University, rely on the HESI A2. ASN programs may also use the TEAS; for instance, Georgia Highlands College requires a minimum TEAS score of 70.
Minimum GPA requirements fall into two common tiers. Programs like Georgia Highlands College's ASN start as low as 2.5, while most BSN programs, including those at Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Augusta, and Georgia Southern, set a floor of 3.0. However, meeting the minimum is rarely enough. At Kennesaw State and Georgia Southern, the competitive TEAS score is around 82 percent, far above the minimum 68 required for some Middle Georgia State University pathways. Applicants should aim significantly higher than the posted minimums to remain competitive.
Institution-wide acceptance rates vary dramatically, from Emory University's 10.6% to Georgia Southern's 87.9% and Augusta University's 86.4%. These are overall university figures, nursing admission is often far more selective. Georgia State, with a university acceptance rate of 55.4%, for example, admits only a fraction of qualified nursing applicants. Community and technical colleges with near-open enrollment, like Central Georgia Technical College or Georgia Northwestern Technical College, can offer a lower barrier to entry, but their nursing seats are still capped and competitive. There is no single "easiest" school; instead, applying broadly and targeting programs where your stats exceed typical admitted-student profiles improves your odds.
Registered nurses in Georgia earned a median annual salary of $82,610 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure highlights the robust earning potential for nurses in the state's expanding healthcare sector, making nursing a financially sound career choice. The data comes from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey.
Find answers to common questions about nursing schools in Georgia, including program costs, NCLEX pass rates, and admission requirements. This FAQ draws on the rankings, cost data, and program details covered in earlier sections of this guide.
Below is a directory of additional nursing programs across Georgia, organized by city for easy browsing. Each entry lists the school name, degree level, format, and net price (where available), so you can quickly compare options beyond the top-ranked schools.
