Georgia has one of the fastest-growing nursing education markets in the Southeast. The state has more than 60 Board of Nursing-approved RN programs across its public university system, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), and private institutions. Georgia is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), meaning Georgia-licensed nurses hold multistate licenses valid across the 40 states that have implemented the compact. Atlanta’s concentration of major health systems – Emory Healthcare, Grady Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, and Northside Hospital – drives strong demand for nurses at every level. This guide covers programs, admission requirements, licensing, salary data, and financial aid for prospective nursing students in Georgia.
Nursing education landscape in Georgia
Georgia’s nursing education infrastructure divides broadly into three segments: the University System of Georgia (USG), which includes flagship and regional universities; the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), which delivers ADN and diploma programs through its 22 colleges statewide; and private institutions, led by Emory University.
Atlanta is the dominant market. Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is the most research-intensive nursing school in Georgia and maintains national rankings in graduate nursing education. Emory Healthcare, Grady Health System (the public hospital and safety-net system for Atlanta), and Piedmont Healthcare are the largest hospital networks and offer strong clinical placement partnerships with regional nursing programs. Mercer University’s Georgia Baptist College of Nursing and Kennesaw State University’s WellStar School of Nursing serve Atlanta-area students in BSN and graduate programs.
Outside Atlanta, Georgia State University College of Nursing in downtown Atlanta and Albany State University in the southwestern part of the state serve diverse student populations. Columbus State University’s School of Nursing in Columbus has strong program rankings. Middle Georgia State University in Macon and other USG regional institutions extend nursing education into rural markets where workforce shortages are most acute.
The Technical College System of Georgia delivers ADN programs through dozens of community campuses, making nursing education accessible across the state – including many rural counties where four-year university options are limited. Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, and Columbus Technical College are among the TCSG institutions offering ADN programs.
Georgia is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact. Georgia nurses who reside in the state hold multistate compact licenses, allowing them to practice in all NLC member states without obtaining separate licenses. This is particularly valuable given Georgia’s geographic location adjacent to South Carolina (compact), Tennessee (compact), Alabama (compact), and Florida (compact).
The Georgia Board of Nursing operates under the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office and is accessible at sos.ga.gov/georgia-board-nursing.
Admission requirements
Georgia nursing programs vary by level and institution. Here is what programs typically require:
For ADN programs (TCSG and community colleges):
- Minimum GPA of 2.5–3.0 on prerequisite science courses
- ATI TEAS entrance exam (most Georgia ADN programs use TEAS)
- Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, English Composition, Psychology or Sociology
- CPR/BLS certification (American Heart Association)
- Criminal background check and drug screening required before clinical placements
- Many TCSG ADN programs use a point-based competitive admission system
For BSN programs (university):
- Minimum GPA of 3.0–3.5 on prerequisites; Emory and Kennesaw State programs are competitive, with admitted cohorts often averaging 3.5+
- TEAS or HESI (varies by institution; Emory uses its own screening)
- Prerequisite courses: A&P I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, English Composition, Nutrition
- Letters of recommendation (2–3 typically required)
- Some programs require documented healthcare experience (shadow hours or clinical volunteer work)
Programs in Atlanta and its suburbs are generally more competitive due to higher applicant volume. Programs in rural Georgia and smaller TCSG campuses may have more accessible timelines. If your GPA is below 3.0, see nursing schools that accept low GPAs.
Types of nursing programs in Georgia
Georgia offers nursing education at every level:
| Program type | Credential | Typical duration | Typical cost range (in-state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA certificate | CNA | 4–8 weeks | $700–$2,500 |
| LPN certificate | LPN | 12–18 months | $8,000–$16,000 |
| ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) | RN | 2 years | $6,000–$18,000 |
| BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) | RN | 4 years (or 12–18 mo for RN-to-BSN) | $28,000–$55,000 (public); $65,000–$120,000 (private) |
| MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) | NP, CNS, educator, administrator | 2–3 years post-BSN | $25,000–$55,000 |
| DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) | Advanced practice / leadership | 3–4 years post-BSN | $35,000–$65,000 |
ADN programs through the Technical College System of Georgia are the most accessible entry point to RN licensure in the state. TCSG ADN programs are priced at community college rates (typically $6,000–$14,000 in tuition and fees) and distributed across the state. Several TCSG colleges also offer LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
BSN programs range widely in selectivity and cost. Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers a traditional BSN alongside a distance-accelerated BSN (DABSN) for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, completed in three semesters. Emory does not publish a current first-time NCLEX pass rate on its own site, so ask admissions directly for the most recent cohort figure rather than relying on third-party aggregators, whose numbers for the school vary widely. Kennesaw State’s WellStar School of Nursing is one of the largest BSN programs in Georgia and serves a significant working adult population. Georgia State University, Augusta University, and Albany State University also offer BSN programs within the USG system at in-state tuition rates. Columbus State University’s nursing program is nationally ranked among affordable BSN options.
For a broader overview of degree pathways, see ADN programs and BSN programs. For accelerated options, see accelerated BSN programs.
Graduate programs (MSN, DNP) are available at Emory, Mercer, Kennesaw State, Georgia State, and Augusta University. Emory’s DNP and PhD programs are particularly strong, with research emphases in global health, oncology, and chronic disease management.
Licensing in Georgia
The Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) regulates all nursing licenses and approves nursing education programs in the state. It operates under the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office.
For RN licensure by examination:
- Graduate from a GBON-approved nursing program (ADN or BSN)
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
- Submit application and initial licensure fee to the Georgia Board of Nursing (current initial licensure fee: approximately $40, non-refundable)
- Pass a criminal background check (required before initial licensure)
- Provide Social Security Number for verification
For LPN licensure:
- Graduate from a GBON-approved LPN program
- Pass the NCLEX-PN
- Submit application and fees; background check required
Compact license (NLC): Georgia is a full NLC member state. Georgia-resident nurses who hold a Georgia RN or LPN license hold a multistate compact license, valid across all NLC member states. Nurses moving to Georgia from another compact state automatically convert to a Georgia compact license when Georgia becomes their primary state of residence. See the nursing compact license guide for current NLC member states and details.
Georgia RN licenses renew every 2 years. See nursing license requirements by state for endorsement and reciprocity procedures.
Nursing job market and salary in Georgia
Georgia’s nursing market is strong and growing, driven by Atlanta’s expansion as a healthcare hub and persistent rural workforce shortages across the rest of the state. Emory Healthcare, Grady Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, Northside Hospital, and WellStar Health System are the dominant employers in the metro Atlanta market. In rural Georgia, smaller regional hospitals and critical access hospitals face significant nurse staffing challenges, which has translated into enhanced sign-on bonuses, loan repayment programs, and higher base pay in many underserved markets.
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (OEWS, SOC 29-1141, May 2025), the median annual wage for registered nurses in Georgia is $93,550. The range runs from $68,920 at the 10th percentile to $128,640 at the 90th percentile – one of the wider RN salary ranges in the Southeast, reflecting significant variation between metro Atlanta roles and rural facilities. For context, the national RN median in the same dataset is $97,550, so Georgia sits about $4,000 below the US midpoint – roughly 4% lower. The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro median is $100,490, which clears the national median outright, so where in Georgia you work matters more than the statewide figure suggests.
Regional variation within Georgia:
- Atlanta metro: highest wages in the state; Emory, Grady, and Piedmont all offer competitive base pay and specialty differentials; travel nursing in Atlanta is active year-round
- Savannah and Augusta: mid-tier wages; Memorial Health University Medical Center (Savannah) and Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta – renamed from Augusta University Medical Center after the Wellstar Health System merger completed in August 2023 – are the largest employers in these markets
- Rural Georgia (south Georgia, coastal plains, Appalachian north): lower base wages but active loan repayment and sign-on bonus programs; critical access hospitals face the most acute staffing shortages
Georgia’s compact license membership means Georgia-based nurses can take travel nursing assignments across the 40 implemented NLC states using their home-state multistate license.
For a broader salary comparison, see the nursing salary by state guide.
Financial aid and scholarships
Federal aid: All accredited nursing programs are eligible for FAFSA funding. Submit as early as possible – the window opens October 1 each year. For step-by-step guidance, see nursing school FAFSA guide.
Georgia-specific programs:
- HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant: The Georgia HOPE program (funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission) provides awards to eligible Georgia residents at in-state institutions. The two awards cover different credentials, which matters for choosing a nursing pathway: HOPE Scholarship pays a set percentage of standard undergraduate tuition for academically eligible degree-seeking students – 95.45% at the associate level and 99.03% at the bachelor’s level for FY 2026 – while HOPE Grant covers students pursuing a certificate or diploma at a TCSG or USG institution with no minimum GPA to qualify initially. An ADN is an associate degree, so TCSG nursing students in an ADN program are generally served by the HOPE Scholarship; the HOPE Grant applies to certificate and diploma programs such as practical nursing.
- Georgia Nurses Foundation Scholarships: The GNF awards annual scholarships to nursing students enrolled in Georgia programs. Awards are merit- and need-based.
- Nurse Corps Loan Repayment: Georgia nurses employed at a Critical Shortage Facility – a health care facility located in, designated as, or serving a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), which covers much of rural Georgia – may qualify for the federal Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. The program repays 60% of qualifying nursing education debt over a two-year service commitment, with an optional third year adding a further 25%, for a maximum of 85%. Working in a HPSA is not sufficient on its own; HRSA makes the final determination on whether a specific employer qualifies as a Critical Shortage Facility. Awards are taxable as federal income.
- Grady Health System Workforce Development: Grady offers scholarships and tuition assistance for nursing students who commit to employment at Grady after graduation. Given Grady’s role as Atlanta’s public safety-net hospital, these awards often support students with financial need.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Nurses employed full-time at nonprofit or public hospitals (Grady, Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, VA Medical Centers) qualify for PSLF after 120 qualifying payments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia a compact state for nursing?
Yes. Georgia is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). Georgia residents who hold a Georgia RN or LPN license hold a multistate compact license, valid across all NLC member states. This means Georgia nurses can practice in the 40 states that have implemented the compact without applying for separate licenses – particularly useful for travel nursing and border-crossing employment with neighbors like South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida, which are all compact states.
What is the HOPE Scholarship and how does it help nursing students?
The HOPE Scholarship is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and pays a set percentage of standard undergraduate tuition at eligible in-state institutions – 99.03% at the bachelor’s level and 95.45% at the associate level for FY 2026, applied to a maximum of 15 credit hours. Eligibility requires meeting and maintaining a minimum GPA. Nursing students at Georgia universities like Kennesaw State, Georgia State, or Columbus State may qualify, as do students in TCSG associate degree (ADN) programs. The HOPE Grant is the separate award for certificate and diploma programs, including practical nursing, and carries no initial minimum GPA requirement. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) administers both.
How competitive are Georgia nursing programs?
Competitiveness varies significantly by institution. Emory University’s BSN and accelerated BSN programs are among the most selective in the state. Kennesaw State’s WellStar School of Nursing is large and serves a broader range of academic profiles. TCSG ADN programs use point-based competitive admission; in high-demand metro Atlanta campuses, wait times and admission competition have increased in recent years.
What does it cost to become an RN in Georgia?
An ADN at a TCSG technical college typically costs $6,000–$18,000 in tuition and fees. A BSN at a public USG university costs approximately $28,000–$55,000 over four years for in-state students. Private programs (Emory, Mercer) run considerably higher. These figures cover tuition and fees only – books, uniforms, clinical fees, and living expenses add further costs.
What NCLEX pass rate should I look for?
The Georgia Board of Nursing publishes NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates by program annually. In 2025, first-time US-educated candidates from Georgia programs passed the NCLEX-RN at 86.0% (4,704 of 5,468 candidates), just below the national figure of 86.7%. Within Georgia, baccalaureate candidates passed at 86.4% and associate degree candidates at 85.4% – a gap of one point, far narrower than the five-to-eight-point spread often claimed. Use the state figure as your benchmark and look for programs consistently at or above it. For NCLEX preparation strategies, see the NCLEX study plan guide.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), Georgia,” OEWS, May 2025 (median annual wage $93,550; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro median $100,490).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), National,” OEWS, May 2025 (median annual wage $97,550; mean $101,420).
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “Nurse Licensure Compact: Member States and Implementation Status,” NCSBN, 2026.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics,” NCSBN Research Brief Vol. 96, June 2026, Table 8 (Georgia first-time US-educated NCLEX-RN pass rate 86.0%, 4,704 of 5,468; national 86.7%).
- Georgia Board of Nursing, “Registered Nurse Licensure Requirements and Application Procedures,” Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, 2026.
- Georgia Student Finance Commission, “HOPE Scholarship Program at Public Institutions Regulations” and “HOPE Grant Program Regulations,” 2025–2026 Award Year; FY 2026 Award Amounts (associate 95.45%, bachelor’s 99.03% of standard tuition).
- Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Workforce, “Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, FY 2026 Application and Program Guidance (60% of qualifying debt over two years; optional third year adds 25%, to a maximum of 85%; service required at a Critical Shortage Facility).
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Annual Report: Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing,” AACN, 2025.
- Technical College System of Georgia, “Associate of Science in Nursing Program Standards and Admission Requirements,” TCSG, 2026.