Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Georgia

Dalton State College delivers Georgia's most affordable nursing education at just $4,694 net cost while producing graduates earning $63,005 annually. This striking return on investment reflects the state's urgent need for qualified nurses across its expanding healthcare network, from Atlanta's medical district to rural hospital systems serving underserved communities. Clayton State University represents the earning potential peak at $68,394 for graduates, though at a higher $10,145 net cost. The 20 programs span a remarkable price range from under $5,000 to nearly $20,000, yet all maintain strong connections to Georgia's healthcare employers including Piedmont Healthcare, Northside Hospital, and the Medical College of Georgia Health System. Students benefit from the HOPE Scholarship covering tuition at public institutions for those maintaining a 3.0 GPA, making programs like Gordon State College particularly attractive at $8,918 net cost. The state's growing population and aging demographics create sustained demand for nursing professionals in administration, research, and clinical practice.

Programs

$4,694 – $31,471

Net Price Range

$61,226

Avg. Program Earnings

38.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

37 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Dalton State College Dalton, Georgia	$4,694	$63,005	$3,283	29.6%
2	Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia	$10,145	$68,394	$5,068	35.4%	56.3%
3	Gordon State College Barnesville, Georgia	$8,918	$58,763	$3,475	17.3%	93.3%
4	University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia	$10,785	$60,032	$5,009	36.8%	69.6%
5	Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia	$12,052	$63,005	$4,980	31.9%	73.2%
6	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$58,898	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
7	Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia	$11,889	$56,169	$5,751	41.7%	87.8%
8	Augusta University Augusta, Georgia	$13,347	$61,888	$8,122	48.6%	85.5%
9	Albany State University Albany, Georgia	$14,251	$63,749	$5,934	22.8%
10	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$66,870	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
11	Middle Georgia State University Macon, Georgia	$13,922	$59,543	$4,432	25.6%	99.7%
12	College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, Georgia	$12,905	$54,880	$3,483	25.6%	98.3%
13	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528	$60,325	$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
14	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$63,143	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
15	Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia	$16,972	$63,622	$5,786	48.1%	67.9%
16	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$60,162	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
17	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$55,512	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
18	LaGrange College Lagrange, Georgia	$17,805	$59,180	$34,540	41.8%	59.1%
19	Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia	$18,809	$61,096	$8,998	61.6%	80.0%
20	Thomas University Thomasville, Georgia	$19,313	$60,839	$11,640	27.8%	46.1%
21	Brenau University Gainesville, Georgia	$20,786	$60,523	$33,275	35.4%	86.6%
22	Herzing University-Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia	$21,757	$60,799	$13,420	29.2%	93.4%
23	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$62,299	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
24	South University-Savannah Savannah, Georgia	$24,116	$66,883	$18,238	22.7%
25	Piedmont University Demorest, Georgia	$20,893	$57,047	$30,680	41.5%	64.4%
26	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	$23,911	$64,055	$60,774	91.8%	11.4%
27	South University-Savannah Online Savannah, Georgia	$26,308	$66,883	$16,546	5.1%
28	Truett McConnell University Cleveland, Georgia	$22,328	$56,415	$25,568	41.1%	80.8%
29	Berry College Mount Berry, Georgia	$21,568	$51,482	$40,416	73.9%	66.3%
30	Chamberlain University-Georgia Sandy Springs, Georgia	$31,471	$71,315	$19,686		68.4%
31	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Georgia	$6,061		$3,195	29.1%	67.0%
32	South Georgia State College Douglas, Georgia	$9,300		$2,970	20.3%
33	Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, Georgia	$11,696		$4,458	19.8%	93.6%
34	East Georgia State College Swainsboro, Georgia	$9,380		$2,736	13.8%
35	Georgia Highlands College Rome, Georgia	$6,588		$2,944	20.8%
36	Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, Georgia	$20,133		$23,250	46.0%	68.0%
37	Reinhardt University Waleska, Georgia	$27,769		$28,420	35.6%	62.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dalton State College such an strong value for nursing students?

Dalton State College offers the lowest net cost at $4,694 while graduates earn $63,005 annually, creating one of the best return-on-investment ratios in the state. The program maintains strong clinical partnerships with Hamilton Medical Center and other regional healthcare facilities. With graduation rates of 29.60%, students benefit from personalized attention in smaller cohort sizes. The college serves North Georgia's rural communities where nursing shortages are particularly acute.

How do graduation rates vary among Georgia's nursing programs?

Graduation rates range from 17.30% at Gordon State College to 60.60% at Wesleyan College, with most public institutions falling between 25% and 50%. Wesleyan College, despite being private, maintains competitive costs at $14,528 net with the highest completion rate. Augusta University achieves 48.60% graduation rates with strong clinical training through the Medical College of Georgia. Higher graduation rates often correlate with more selective admissions and additional student support services.

Does the HOPE Scholarship significantly impact nursing program affordability?

The HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at public colleges for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, reducing costs dramatically across Georgia's nursing programs. Students at colleges like Gordon State pay only $3,475 in-state tuition before the scholarship, making net costs extremely manageable. This benefit explains why most Georgia nursing programs show substantial differences between in-state tuition and net costs. Private institutions like Wesleyan College don't qualify for HOPE, resulting in higher baseline costs despite financial aid.

Where do Georgia nursing graduates find the highest-paying positions?

Clayton State University graduates earn the highest average salaries at $68,394, likely benefiting from proximity to Atlanta's major medical centers and healthcare networks. University of West Georgia graduates earn $66,870, reflecting strong demand in the Atlanta metropolitan corridor. Albany State University graduates average $63,749 despite the program's rural location, indicating competitive salaries statewide. Nursing administration and research positions in Atlanta's Midtown medical district typically offer premium compensation compared to rural clinical roles.

Is student debt manageable across Georgia's nursing programs?

Most programs maintain reasonable debt levels between $12,878 and $26,500, with College of Coastal Georgia showing the lowest average debt at $12,878. Augusta University graduates carry only $15,000 in average debt while earning $61,888 annually, creating favorable debt-to-income ratios. Clayton State University graduates face higher debt at $26,500 but also achieve the highest earnings potential. The combination of HOPE Scholarship benefits and strong starting salaries keeps debt burdens manageable for most Georgia nursing graduates.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.