Georgia Nursing Schools & Programs

Georgia pairs strong nursing demand with one of the lowest costs of living in the country, which makes moderate salaries stretch further than they would elsewhere. This guide covers how to get licensed, what nurses earn, and the schools that can prepare you for RN or nurse practitioner (NP) practice.

Nursing Schools in Georgia

Georgia's options run from large state universities to community colleges and private colleges. Five established programs:

Emory University has educated nurses for a century and offers accelerated BSN and MSN programs that finish in 12 to 15 months, plus dual degrees and MSN flex tracks that take two to three years. The MSN carries APRN specialties in adult gerontology acute and primary care, family nursing, neonatal nursing, nurse-midwifery, pediatric acute care, women's health, and psychiatric mental health, with clinical training in Atlanta and at sites nationwide.

• Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP
• Campus: Atlanta, Georgia
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs; Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
• Tuition: $2,022 per credit
• Admission: Varies by program
• Time to complete: 12 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate (2022): 85.94% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $64,055 for bachelor's and master's graduates (College Scorecard)

Berry College offers a BSN in 3.5 years across four pathways: a transfer track, a traditional program for sophomores, direct admission for high-achieving high school students, and a fast track for students who arrive with AP and dual-enrollment credit. Clinical placements run through Berry's two hospital partnerships or one of Georgia's largest medical clinics.

• Program: BSN
• Campus: Mount Berry, Georgia
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $2,175-$3,263 per credit for 12-18 credits; $1,305 per credit outside that range
• Admission: 3.0 GPA minimum; at least 41 credits including prerequisites at a minimum C grade; CPR certification; background check and drug screening; transfer students complete at least 12 credits at Berry
• Time to complete: 42 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate (2022): 78.13% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $51,482 for bachelor's graduates (College Scorecard)

Georgia Northwestern Technical College runs an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and a practical nursing diploma. The ADN takes four semesters and 72 credits: 30 of pre-occupational courses and 42 of nursing curriculum covering fundamentals, lifespan care, and mental health nursing.

• Programs: ADN, practical nursing diploma
• Campus: Rome, Georgia
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• Tuition: $100 per credit in state; $200 per credit out of state
• Admission: High school diploma or GED; minimum age 17; 75% on the admission assessment; completion of Learning Support, biology, and algebra; 3.0 GPA minimum
• Time to complete: 24 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate (2021/2022): 86.36% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $49,787 for associate graduates (College Scorecard)

Oconee Fall Line Technical College offers three nursing programs that finish in five to seven semesters. The ADN gives paramedics and LPNs a one-year path to RN; the traditional ADN takes seven semesters; the 60-credit practical nursing program runs five semesters toward the NCLEX-PN. Courses run online (synchronous), live, onsite, or hybrid, with spring and fall start dates.

• Programs: ADN, practical nursing diploma
• Campus: Sandersville, Georgia
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• Tuition: $100 per credit
• Admission: High school diploma, GED, or college transcripts; TEAS score; minimum age 18; 2.6 GPA for high school students, 2.0 for workforce entry programs
• Time to complete: 24 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate (2022): 87.23% first-time

Mercer University's College of Nursing offers three BSN tracks: traditional, second degree, and RN-to-BSN. The traditional BSN runs 60 nursing major credits, 40 general education, and 20 nursing core; the accelerated track is 56 credits and the RN-to-BSN is 32. Coursework covers nursing research, health assessment, leadership practicum, and population health.

• Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD in nursing, post-master's certificates
• Campus: Macon, Georgia
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Tuition: $12,785 per semester for traditional pre-licensure; $361 per credit for RN-to-BSN; $59,685 for the second-degree accelerated BSN
• Admission: Varies by program; 3.0 GPA minimum; resume; transcripts; TEAS score; admissions essay; completed prerequisites; interview if needed
• Time to complete: 24 months
• Onsite requirement: Yes
• NCLEX-RN pass rate (2022): 81.31% first-time
• Median earnings two years out: $62,299 for bachelor's and master's graduates (College Scorecard)

Choosing a Program

Weigh curriculum and length, the mix of onsite and online requirements, and clinical placement support. Tuition and aid matter: nursing students may qualify for federal aid, and Georgia's HOPE programs add scholarships and grants for eligible students. To get licensed in Georgia you must finish a program approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. A program that is not board approved will not qualify you for a license, so confirm approval before you enroll.

Why Nurse in Georgia

Georgia is a right-to-work state, so employment never requires joining a union or paying union fees. The state's Family Care Act, the Kin Care Law, lets employees use paid sick leave to care for immediate family, not just themselves. Georgia is also a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license earned here is valid across the more than 40 participating states and jurisdictions; nurses holding licenses from non-compact states can license into Georgia by endorsement.

Salary and Job Outlook

Georgia RNs earn a mean of about $90,000 a year, just below the national median of $93,600 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024). Nurse practitioners in Georgia also run below the national NP median of $132,050. The state's low cost of living offsets the gap: Georgia sits near the bottom of the cost-of-living index, and housing is among the most affordable in the country.

Demand stays strong. The Department of Health and Human Services lists Georgia among the states facing a significant nursing shortage by 2030, and nurse practitioner roles are projected to grow far faster than the average occupation over the decade. Atlanta, the largest metro, is the top-paying area and home to several of the state's highest-ranked hospitals, but nurses also earn competitively in smaller cities and rural regions.

Getting Licensed in Georgia

The Georgia Board of Nursing handles credentialing, regulations, and education requirements for both RNs and APRNs.

RN. Finish an ADN or BSN and pass the NCLEX. You can apply online or by paper, but out-of-state graduates must use the paper application; in-state graduates can apply online because their transcripts go to the board automatically. Before applying, register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE and complete the COGENT background check. The application fee is $40, and most applications process within 15 days.

APRN. You need an MSN or DNP, a valid Georgia RN license, and verification of active national certification in your specialty. First-time APRN applicants who have never been licensed as an APRN anywhere must submit transcripts showing a completed graduate program. If you are licensed as an APRN in another state and finished your graduate program more than four years ago, you can submit documentation of 500 practice hours. APRN applications are paper only, with a $75 fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take? Two to four years depending on whether you earn an ADN or a BSN. Both qualify you for the NCLEX, though some employers, including Magnet hospitals, require a BSN.

How do you get licensed? Earn an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX, and apply through the Georgia Board of Nursing. If you already hold a license from a compact state, apply by endorsement.

How often do you renew? Every two years. All licenses expire January 31, so a license issued or renewed in 2021 expires January 31, 2023. Renewal requires one of five continuing education or competency options.