Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Georgia

Georgia's nursing programs show a remarkable cost spread, with Dalton State College offering education at just $4,694 annually while some programs reach over $16,000. The state's HOPE Scholarship creates an unusual advantage for nursing students, covering full tuition at public institutions for those maintaining a 3.0 GPA. This means qualified students at schools like Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College pay only $3,195 per year in tuition. Clayton State University graduates earn the highest salaries at $68,394 annually, reflecting demand in Atlanta's growing healthcare sector. Georgia's expanding logistics and film industries have created new opportunities for occupational health nurses and nurse administrators in corporate settings. The state's 15 affordable nursing programs span from small agricultural towns to major metropolitan areas, with graduation rates varying significantly from East Georgia State's 13.8% to Augusta University's 48.6%. Most programs maintain manageable debt levels under $22,000, making nursing education accessible across varied economic backgrounds.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Dalton State College the most affordable nursing option in Georgia?

Dalton State College charges only $4,694 in net costs annually, making it the cheapest nursing program in the state. Students pay just $3,283 in tuition and graduate with median debt of $14,699. The school maintains a 29.6% graduation rate while preparing students for careers with median earnings of $63,005. The combination of low costs and solid earning potential creates strong return on investment.

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

Graduation rates range dramatically from 13.8% at East Georgia State College to 48.6% at Augusta University. Clayton State University achieves a 35.4% graduation rate while offering the highest graduate earnings at $68,394 annually. Schools like Valdosta State and Columbus State both maintain 41.7% graduation rates with more moderate costs around $11,000-$12,000 per year. Students should consider both completion rates and post-graduation outcomes when choosing programs.

Is the HOPE Scholarship significant for nursing students in Georgia?

The HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at public colleges for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, creating substantial savings for nursing students. At Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, this reduces costs to just $3,195 annually in tuition. Even at more expensive schools like Augusta University, HOPE coverage brings tuition down to manageable levels. Students typically pay only room, board, and fees beyond the scholarship, making nursing education highly accessible.

Where do nursing graduates earn the highest salaries in Georgia's affordable programs?

Clayton State University graduates earn the highest median salary at $68,394, significantly above the state range of $54,880 to $68,394. Augusta University graduates earn $61,888 annually with a strong 48.6% graduation rate. Dalton State and Georgia Southwestern State graduates both earn $63,005 per year while paying much lower tuition costs. The salary differences often reflect proximity to major healthcare systems in Atlanta and Augusta metropolitan areas.

Does student debt vary significantly among Georgia's nursing programs?

Student debt ranges from $12,878 at College of Coastal Georgia to $26,500 at Clayton State University. Most programs keep debt below $22,000, with Augusta University graduates owing just $15,000 despite higher tuition costs. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College maintains particularly low debt at $12,941 while offering competitive career outcomes. The relatively modest debt levels reflect both affordable tuition and strong financial aid availability across Georgia's public nursing programs.

More Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Rankings

Best Value Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Georgia Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Under $20,000 in Georgia

All Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs Best Colleges in Georgia Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Georgia

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