10 Best Nursing Schools In Georgia

There are over 30 different schools offering BSN programs in Georgia.

With all those options, it might feel a little overwhelming trying to find one that’s a good fit for you. Fortunately, we’ve put together this guide to help you in your search.

Unlike other sites that use questionable methodology when ranking schools, we’ve used hard data to put together these rankings of the top BSN programs in Georgia.

In fact, we used NCLEX pass rates from the official Georgia Board of Nursing website to determine how well each school prepares its graduates to pass the exam and become Registered Nurses.

Before we jump into the rankings, don’t forget that you’re not limited to schools on this list, or even schools in Georgia. There are also plenty of online BSN programs you may want to consider, as they typically allow you to earn your degree for far less time and money than traditional on-campus programs.

For now, however, let’s take a look at the top ten BSN programs in Georgia.

What Is The Best BSN Program In Georgia?

The best BSN program in Georgia is offered by Kennesaw State University.

This school has the highest NCLEX pass rate of any school in the state. In fact, the average NCLEX pass rate between 2018 and 2021 was 97.32%.

However, just because Kennesaw State had the highest four-year average pass rate of all the programs in Georgia doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the perfect choice for you. There are quite a few other top-tier programs you can consider.

To learn more about Kennesaw State University and other top-ranked BSN programs in Georgia, keep reading.

10 Best BSN Programs In Georgia Ranked

The following table presents the top-ranked BSN programs in Georgia based on their four-year average NCLEX pass rate.

Keep in mind that there are also lots of high-quality ADN programs offered by schools in the state with impressive NCLEX pass rates. In this article, however, we’re only focusing on Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing programs.

Additionally, there are plenty of online BSN programs you may want to consider that allow you to earn your BSN on a more flexible schedule and for less money.

For now, read on to learn more about the best BSN programs in Georgia.

School	4-year Average NCLEX Pass Rate (%)
Kennesaw State University	97.32
University of North Georgia	96.92
Georgia College and State University	96.92
Reinhardt University	95.04
College of Coastal Georgia	94.69
Emory University	93.85
Georgia Gwinnett College	93.61
Georgia Southwestern State University	92.64
Piedmont College	92.45
Albany State University	91.22

1. Kennesaw State University

As we just mentioned, the top-ranked BSN program in Georgia is Kennesaw State University with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 97.32%. 

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 100% (170/170)
• 2019: 98.51% (199/202)
• 2020: 96.31% (209/217)
• 2021: 94.47% (222/235)

This program offers both traditional and accelerated BSN pathways. 

The traditional track is designed for students with no prior baccalaureate degree. To earn your degree, you’ll need to complete your general education requirements in addition to six semesters of nursing-focused courses.

Meanwhile, the accelerated track is designed for students with a prior undergraduate degree in a non-nursing field of study. To earn your degree in the accelerated program, you’ll need to complete your general education in addition to only four semesters of nursing-focused courses.

Kennesaw State University also offers a “Double Owl Pathway.” This track allows students to earn their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees for significantly lower cost and less time than pursuing each degree individually.

Finally, it’s worth noting that the school claims to be in the top 20 programs in the country that students want to attend, and over 7,100 companies recruited students and alumni from the program.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is an impressive 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $21,000 (based on 226 students)
• Median alumni salary is $65,240 (based on 296 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 49/100 salary score

2. University of North Georgia

There is a two-way tie for second place on our list of best BSN programs in Georgia. First is University of North Georgia with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 96.92%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 95.98% (167/174)
• 2019: 98.68% (150/152)
• 2020: 97.62% (164/168)
• 2021: 95.40% (166/174)

Like the program at Kennesaw State, University of North Georgia offers both a traditional and accelerated pathway to earn your BSN.

The traditional BSN is designed for students with no prior undergraduate degree, typically takes four years to complete, and is offered at both their Gainesville campus and Dahlonega campus.

Meanwhile, the accelerated BSN is designed for students with a non-nursing undergraduate degree, can be completed in as little as 15 months, and is only offered at their Gainesville campus.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is an impressive 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $18,500 (based on 190 students)
• Median alumni salary is $62,570 (based on 201 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 39/100 salary score

3. Georgia College and State University

Also tied for second in our rankings of the best BSN programs in Georgia is University of North Georgia with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 96.92%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 100% (96/96)
• 2019: 99.06% (105/106)
• 2020: 96.15% (100/104)
• 2021: 92.45% (98/106)

Unlike the previous two schools on our list of top-ranked BSN programs in Georgia, it appears Georgia College and State University only offers a traditional BSN pathway. 

However, this school does boast some unique opportunities for students. For example, they offer:

• Study abroad programs
• Undergraduate research options
• Leadership development opportunities

Additionally, the university claims on its website that it is consistently recognized as one of BSN programs in the state and nation.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is an impressive 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $21,590 (based on 99 students)
• Median alumni salary is $61,170 (based on 157 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 34/100 salary score

4. Reinhardt University

The next school on our list of top-ranked BSN programs in Georgia is Reinhardt University with a two-year average NCLEX pass rate of 95.04%.

This school does not have NCLEX pass rate data for 2018 and 2019. However, the pass rates for each of the available years were:

• 2020: 96.97% (32/33)
• 2021: 93.10% (27/29)

It appears that Reinhardt University only offers one pathway to earn your Bachelor’s degree: the Traditional BSN.

While the school only offers one degree track, there are some unique benefits to completing your degree at this school. For example, they boast that in the clinical setting the faculty-to-student ratio is 1-to-6, meaning you’ll have small class sizes and be able to have a lot of interaction with faculty.

Additionally, Reinhardt stresses the importance of patient-family care, meaning you’ll spend a lot of time gaining experience in counseling, consoling, and reassuring patients’ loved ones, allowing you to provide care “at the bedside and beyond.”

Unfortunately, there is no data on GradReports for this school. However, one student from the School of Nursing wrote this review on Niche:

“I have only been with the School of Nursing. However, the staff has been what stuck out to me from day one. They genuinely make themselves available to help their students, not only academically but also physically, spiritually, and emotionally by checking on you if they feel like you are having an off day. They have given us their cell phone numbers on numerous occasions so they are available to us.”

5. College of Coastal Georgia

The fifth school on our list of best Georgia BSN programs is College of Coastal Georgia with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 94.69%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 94.44% (34/36)
• 2019: 94.29% (33/35)
• 2020: 94.59% (35/37)
• 2021: 95.45% (42/44)

The College of Coastal Georgia offers two pathways for students to obtain their Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree: the Traditional Pre-licensure BSN and the RN to BSN.

While the traditional BSN track is designed for students with no prior nursing experience, the RN to BSN track is designed for students who already earned their Associate Degree in Nursing and already work as licensed Registered Nurses.

This school claims to differentiate themselves from other BSN programs by delivering a unique curriculum focused on helping students develop and implement health strategies for the coastal community and civic engagement.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
• Median debt after graduation is $14,000 (based on 57 students)
• Median alumni salary is $55,190 (based on 73 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 17/100 salary score

6. Emory University

The next school in our rankings of the top BSN programs in Georgia is Emory University with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 93.85%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 98.87% (262/265)
• 2019: 96.26% (283/294)
• 2020: 93.43% (327/350)
• 2021: 86.85% (350/403)

Emory University offers two pathways for earning your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree: Traditional BSN or Distance-Accelerated BSN (DABSN).

The traditional BSN track is designed for high school students entering college, transfer students, and current Emory or Oxford University students. Meanwhile, the Distance-Accelerated BSN is designed for students with a non-nursing undergraduate degree and can be completed in as little as three semesters, or 12 months.

Emory is consistently recognized as one of the top nursing programs in the country, offering cutting-edge resources and access to leading healthcare partners.

This could be an especially good choice if you’re looking to get a postgraduate degree, like a Master’s of Science in Nursing or Doctorate of Nursing Practice. The school offers a host of MSN Flex programs, Dual Master’s degrees, and Doctoral programs.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 98%
• Median debt after graduation is $19,000 (based on 290 students)
• Median alumni salary is $65,040 (based on 192 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 48/100 salary score

7. Georgia Gwinnett College

Number seven in our rankings of top Georgia BSN programs is Georgia Gwinnett College with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 93.61%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 96.43% (54/56)
• 2019: 94.20% (65/69)
• 2020: 96.30% (52/54)
• 2021: 87.50% (42/48)

While Georgia Gwinnett College only offers a Traditional BSN pathway, the school does allow you to personalize your degree with a host of different minor options, including but not limited to:

• African American Studies
• Biology
• Business Administration
• Chemistry
• English
• Gender Studies
• History
• Sociology

If you’re looking to specialize in a particular patient population or area of nursing, these minors could help provide you with the additional knowledge and academic skills you need to succeed.

Additionally, the school boasts ultra-modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art simulation lab, a 15-bed nursing skills lab, and more.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $17,250 (based on 35 students)
• Median alumni salary is $64,490 (based on 31 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 46/100 salary score

8. Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia Southwestern State University ranks number eight in our list of best Georgia BSN programs with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 92.64%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 89.39% (59/66)
• 2019: 97.44% (38/39)
• 2020: 86.84% (33/38)
• 2021: 96.88% (31/32)

Georgia Southwestern State University provides four different pathways for earning your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree:

• Traditional BSN
• LPN to BSN
• Second Degree BSN
• Online RN to BSN

The Pre-licensure, Traditional BSN track is designed for students with no prior nursing experience and no prior undergraduate degree. The pathway is built on a “strong foundation of general studies” in addition to current nursing practice.

The LPN to BSN track is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses looking to further their education and advance their career. Registered Nurses can perform more autonomous duties and earn a higher salary than their LPN counterparts, which can make enrolling in an LPN to RN program an attractive option.

The Second Degree BSN is designed for students with a previous non-nursing undergraduate degree. Since students with a prior degree already have some general education foundations, this pathway is the quickest route to earning a BSN for those who already hold a Bachelor’s degree.

Finally, Georgia Southwestern State provides an online RN to BSN option for students who already hold an Associate Degree in Nursing and work as a licensed RN but would like to advance their education. This track can be completed in as little as a year or two.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 99%
• Median debt after graduation is $19,870 (based on 89 students)
• Median alumni salary is $62,820 (based on 84 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 40/100 salary score

9. Piedmont University

The next school in our rankings of the best BSN programs in Georgia is Piedmont University with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 92.45%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 94.92% (56/59)
• 2019: 93.59% (73/78)
• 2020: 93.94% (62/66)
• 2021: 87.34% (69/79)

Piedmont University only offers one track for earning your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing: The Traditional BSN. However, it’s worth noting that the school also offers a number of related, non-nursing degrees, such as:

• Athletic Training
• Exercise and Sport Science
• Sport and Fitness Administration
• Health Care Administration

This school boasts that students get the opportunity to apply nursing theory and skills in multiple types of healthcare settings, and every student also gets the opportunity to work with underserved populations as part of their clinical practice.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $26,600 (based on 103 students)
• Median alumni salary is $58,930 (based on 120 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 27/100 salary score

10. Albany State University

The final school in our rankings of the best BSN programs in Georgia is Albany State University with a four-year average NCLEX pass rate of 91.22%.

The pass rates for each year were:

• 2018: 85.71% (6/7)
• 2019: 87.50% (14/16)
• 2020: 91.67% (11/12)
• 2021: 100% (16/16)

Albany State University offers two tracks to earn your Bachelor’s degree: the Generic BSN and Accelerated BSN.

The Generic BSN is designed for students with no prior undergraduate degree and follows a “2 + 2” format. This means your first two years at the university are spent completing core curriculum requirements, while the second two years are spent exclusively completing nursing courses.

Meanwhile, the Accelerated BSN track is designed for students who hold a non-nursing degree but want to transition into the nursing field. Since these students already have some foundational education completed, they can earn their degree faster.

The Accelerated BSN track is completed over the course of five consecutive semesters, including one mandatory summer semester.

Albany State boasts that over the duration of your education, you’ll be exposed to a variety of different nursing specialities and patient populations, including Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Adult Medical-Surgical, and many more.

According to GradReports:

• The employment rate for graduates from this program is 100%
• Median debt after graduation is $21,660 (sample size not reported)
• Median alumni salary is $68,000 (based on 38 students)
• This salary outcome earned the school a 59/100 salary score

What Is The Average BSN Nurse Salary In Georgia?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a Registered Nurse in Georgia is $71,510.

Unfortunately, BLS does not differentiate salary for RNs based on education level, so this figure includes both ADN- and BSN-educated nurses.

However, according to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a BSN Nurse in Georgia is $75,458. This makes sense given that BSN nurses tend to make up the higher earners, while ADN nurses tend to make up the lower earners.

Is A BSN Program In Georgia Right For You?

If you’re looking to earn your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree through a traditional on-campus program in Georgia, any of the above schools could make a good fit.

However, it’s always a good idea to give consideration to all your options, like online degree programs which can be completed for less time and money than the on-campus alternatives. Additionally, they allow for a more flexible schedule, which could be key if you want to continue working while you earn your degree.

If you’re interested in finding an online BSN degree program suited to your needs and interests, start your search here!