See accredited nursing schools in Georgia, how we select them, standout programs, admissions basics, and financial aid options. Includes FAQ before the Summary.
Editor’s note (YMYL): Informational only. Always verify accreditation and Georgia Board of Nursing (GBON) approval, plus deadlines and costs, on each school’s site.
Selection Criteria (Accreditation & Outcomes)
- Accreditation & approval (must-have):
- CCNE for most BSN/MSN/DNP programs; ACEN often accredits associate/ADN programs. Programs must also hold GBON approval for pre-licensure tracks. aacnnursing.orgacenursing.orgsos.ga.gov
- NCLEX performance & program stability: We check the GBON NCLEX pass-rate PDFs (4-year view) and the GBON “Approved RN Programs” list. sos.ga.gov+1
- Program breadth & clinical access: Availability of Traditional/Accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN/DNP, and clinical partnerships (verified on program pages). kennesaw.edulewis.gsu.edu
- Transparency: Schools that publish accreditation statements and approvals clearly get priority. nursing.emory.eduAugusta University
Best Programs & Highlights
Representative, accredited options across GA (verify latest status on school pages/CCNE/ACEN directories).
| School | Degree Levels (examples) | Accreditation | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University (Nell Hodgson Woodruff) | BSN, MN (pre-licensure), MSN, DNP | CCNE | NIH-funded top school; detailed accreditation page. nursing.emory.edu |
| Augusta University | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE + GBON approval | State flagship nursing; long history in GA. Augusta University+1 |
| Georgia State University | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE | Atlanta clinical network; TEAS required for BSN. lewis.gsu.edu+1 |
| Kennesaw State (Wellstar) | BSN (Traditional/Accelerated) | CCNE | Large in-person BSN; TEAS-based admissions. kennesaw.edu+1catalog.kennesaw.edu |
| University of West Georgia | BSN, MSN (online) | CCNE + GBON | Tanner Health System SON; CCNE-listed. westga.edudirectory.ccnecommunity.org |
| Georgia Southern University | BSN, DNP, Post-BSN→DNP | CCNE | Clear accreditation status page. Georgia Southern University – |
| Mercer University (Georgia Baptist) | BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE + GBON | ABSN/BSN options in ATL. College of NursingMercer ABSN |
| Columbus State University | BSN, RN-BSN | CCNE + GBON | USG eMajor RN-to-BSN available online. columbusstate.eduUSG eMajor |
| Albany State University | ASN/BSN/MSN | ACEN + GBON | Multiple ASN tracks; ACEN continuing accreditation. asurams.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College | ADN (RN) | ACEN + GBON | ACEN continuing accreditation through next cycle. Gwinnett Technical Collegeacenursing.org |
To compare historical NCLEX outcomes, use the GBON pass-rate PDFs (RN 2021–2024). sos.ga.gov
Admission Requirements & Deadlines
- Common pre-reqs: A&P I/II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics/College Algebra, English Comp; minimum GPA set by school.
- Entrance exam: Many GA BSN programs require ATI TEAS (Kennesaw, GSU, among others). Check score thresholds and test currency. kennesaw.edulewis.gsu.edu
- Clinical clearances: Immunizations, BLS/CPR, background check, drug screen (school/clinical-site specific).
- Deadlines: Typically fall/spring intakes; accelerated/ABSN may have earlier or rolling deadlines—confirm on the program’s admission page.
Tuition & Financial Aid
- In-state vs out-of-state: Public universities set lower in-state tuition; private (e.g., Emory, Mercer) have different pricing/aid models.
- Georgia aid:
- HOPE Scholarship (merit; helps cover a portion of tuition at eligible GA colleges). gafutures.org
- Zell Miller Scholarship (higher academic thresholds; covers standard undergraduate tuition at eligible institutions). gafutures.orgGeorgia Student Finance Commission
- See GAfutures for eligibility checkpoints/GPA rules. gafutures.org
- Federal aid: Submit FAFSA; layer institutional scholarships/assistantships per school.
FAQ
How do I verify a Georgia nursing program’s accreditation and approval?
Check the CCNE directory (BSN+/grad programs) or ACEN (often associate/ADN), and confirm GBON approval on the state PDF of approved RN programs. aacnnursing.orgacenursing.orgsos.ga.gov
Where can I see NCLEX pass rates for Georgia programs?
The Georgia Board of Nursing posts multi-year RN pass-rate PDFs with 3- and 4-year averages by school. sos.ga.gov
Do Georgia BSN programs require TEAS?
Many do. For example, Kennesaw State and Georgia State list ATI TEAS as a requirement—minimums and test validity windows vary by school. kennesaw.edulewis.gsu.edu
Are online pre-licensure RN programs allowed?
Theory may be online/hybrid, but in-person clinicals at approved sites are required for pre-licensure programs (verify with each school/GBON). (See each program’s accreditation/approval pages.) Augusta Universitynursing.emory.edu
Does HOPE/Zell Miller apply to nursing majors?
Yes, if you meet eligibility and attend an eligible GA institution; HOPE helps cover part of tuition and Zell Miller covers the standard undergraduate tuition (eligibility thresholds apply). gafutures.org+1
Summary/Conclusion
Georgia offers a deep bench of accredited nursing programs—from CCNE-accredited BSN/MSN/DNP tracks at Emory, Augusta, GSU, Kennesaw, UWG, Georgia Southern, Mercer, Columbus State, to ACEN-accredited ADN/ASN options like Albany State and Gwinnett Tech. Start your shortlist by confirming accreditation + GBON approval, scan recent NCLEX outcomes, note TEAS requirements, and model total cost with HOPE/Zell Miller in mind. Then compare clinical placements and cohort formats (traditional vs accelerated) to fit your timeline. sos.ga.gov+1kennesaw.edugafutures.org
Sources
- Georgia Board of Nursing — Approved RN programs (Jan 2025) & NCLEX pass-rate PDFs. sos.ga.gov+1
- CCNE — Accredited programs directory (GA). aacnnursing.org
- ACEN — Program search (GA), examples: Albany State; Gwinnett Tech. acenursing.org+1asurams.edu
- School pages (accreditation/admissions) — Emory; Augusta; GSU; Kennesaw; UWG; Georgia Southern; Mercer; Columbus State. nursing.emory.eduAugusta Universitylewis.gsu.edukennesaw.eduwestga.eduGeorgia Southern University –College of Nursingcolumbusstate.edu
- Georgia Student Finance (GSFC / GAfutures) — HOPE & Zell Miller details. gafutures.org+2gafutures.org+2