The Top Nursing School in Atlanta, GA: Online & On-Campus
Learn about the top nursing school in Atlanta and the degree programs it offers — from associate degrees to PhDs— and find the one that’s right for you.
Nursing is a great career for anyone interested in high salaries, job security, and career advancement. It’s also hard to beat in terms of the positive impact it allows you to have on your community. In order to reap these benefits, however, you’ll need a college education. Finding the right fit when it comes to your nursing degree program is critical to your academic and, ultimately, career success — that’s why we’ve created this guide.
Below, you’ll learn about what makes a nursing degree program in Atlanta a standout beyond the rest of your schooling options. We’ve included valuable information on salaries and growth potential for nursing jobs in the Atlanta area to help you plan for your future career.
So, if you live in the northwest Georgia region, discover how you can achieve your career goals by earning your degree online or on-campus from one of the top nursing schools in Atlanta. Read on to see which school made our list as the best choice for prospective students like you.
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia
Public
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Atlanta, GA
Nursing programs in Atlanta, GA exist at every academic level, making it easy for you to find a program that meets your educational and professional needs. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for an advanced degree, you can check out some of the most common options currently available below.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Atlanta
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An associate degree in nursing can help Atlanta students to earn their RN license after graduating and successfully passing the NCLEX-RN exam. These programs often serve as a great first step for students since they take only two years to complete and allow you to work as an RN. If you choose to pursue a BSN, the work you complete in your associate program will help you complete your BSN in less time than BSN students who don’t have previous nursing education.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
Students who know they want to work as registered nurses often move straight into a traditional, four-year BSN since it often produces higher salaries and more leadership opportunities. Comprising both classroom and clinical learning, these degrees usually consist of 120 credits.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Designed for career changers, accelerated BSNs allow students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated subject to make the jump to nursing. Building on general education coursework previously completed, some students may complete an accelerated BSN program in 18–24 months.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
Direct-Entry MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Direct-entry MSN programs function similarly to an accelerated BSN, allowing students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees to enter the nursing field. If you want to work as a nurse practitioner or other type of advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), these three-year programs provide a truncated schedule.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Atlanta for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
If you’ve worked as a licensed vocational nurse for a time but feel ready to take your career to the next level, an LPN-to-RN or LPN-to-BSN bridge program can help you do so. To achieve your ADN, plan to spend at least 12 months enrolled in a nursing program. If you want to go for your BSN, these programs usually last about two years.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
Chattahoochee Technical College
Georgia Southwestern State University
RN to BSN Programs
If you already possess your ADN but want to elevate your career to the next level, an RN-to-BSN can help you do so. Existing as both online and in-person programs, these degrees usually last between 18–24 months. They do not require any additional exams but can lead to higher salaries.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
RN to MSN Programs
If you have an associate registered nursing degree with at least one year of RN work experience and want to bypass BSN requirements to move straight into an MSN, find a school that offers an RN-to-MSN bridge program. Typically lasting about three years, these degrees introduce advanced topics and help you become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or other type of APRN.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Atlanta
Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
There are two types of traditional MSN programs. BSN-educated nurses can attend traditional MSN programs that lead to APRN roles and take between 15–24 months to finish. For non-nursing professionals with bachelor’s degrees looking to enter nursing, direct-entry MSN programs are available as well, taking 18–24 months of full-time study to complete.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools with This Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs
These terminal degrees help nurses enter the highest echelons of the profession. A DNP focuses on professional practice and usually takes between three and five years to finish. Meanwhile, a PhD in nursing leads to roles in academia, research, and/or policy and typically takes 4–6 years to complete.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
Post-graduate certificates help MSN-educated nurses specialize their skills and knowledge in a particular area of the discipline. Some of the more popular options include family nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse leader, and nurse-midwifery. You can do these programs both online and in person.
Examples of Atlanta Nursing Schools With This Program
FAQs About Online Nursing Schools in Atlanta
Can I earn my nursing degree in Atlanta completely online?
It depends on the nursing degree you’re working towards. An RN-to-BSN, for example, can be done completely online since it doesn’t require any clinical components. If you want to earn a nursing degree with a practicum, you may be able to complete your classes online, but the practicum must take place in person.
Will my online Atlanta nursing degree be considered less valuable by employers?
Absolutely not. Employers care most about you attending a properly accredited and state-approved nursing program in Atlanta. Whether or not you completed all or a portion of the degree online has no bearing on your abilities or likelihood of employment. In fact, your degree won’t even differentiate between learning methods.
Are online nursing programs in Atlanta more affordable than campus programs?
While tuition for in-person and online programs may be the same or similar, distance learners can save significantly on things like campus-based facilities fees, parking passes, student housing, and meal plans. In addition to finding a cheaper area of the city to live, students can save money on transportation.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Atlanta
Whether you attend a public or private college, it’s no secret that nursing programs in Atlanta, GA can be expensive. Finding scholarships and grants to help offset costs can save you thousands of dollars and make the difference in terms of how much debt you carry at graduation. Plenty of Atlanta and Georgia-specific scholarships exist, including those offered by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Georgia Association for Nursing Education, and the Georgia Health Care Association. Understanding financial aid and finding funding for your nursing degree doesn’t have to be stressful; check out our nursing scholarship guide to learn more.
How to Become an RN in Atlanta: Licensing Requirements
Becoming a registered nurse in Atlanta requires you to follow rules set forth by the Georgia Board of Nursing. After earning your degree from an accredited and state-approved program, you’ll need to pass a background and fingerprint check before passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you receive a passing score, you can apply for licensure through the board by submitting an application and paying the $75 fee. Licenses renew every two years, so keep up with your continuing education requirements. The guide to nursing schools in Georgia is a valuable resource where you can find more information on licensing requirements.
How Much Can You Make as an RN in Atlanta?
As a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell area, you can expect to earn competitive wages that are above Georgia's statewide averages. Entry-level RNs in Atlanta (10th percentile) earn around $66,470 per year, slightly more than the state’s starting wage of $63,450. The median salary in Atlanta is $92,240, which is higher than Georgia's median RN salary of $83,620. For experienced RNs earning in the top 10%, salaries can reach up to $127,400, compared to the statewide high of $124,330. These figures suggest that Atlanta offers excellent earning potential for RNs, especially those with experience, reflecting the high demand for healthcare professionals in this major metropolitan area.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $63,450 | $83,620 | $124,330 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $66,470 | $92,240 | $127,400 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Additional Atlanta Nursing Resources
Atlanta Black Nurses Association
ABNA supports Black nurses working in the greater Atlanta area, regardless of title. The group organizes events and meetings, elects officers, sends out a regular newsletter, and provides announcements on activities and opportunities in the area.
Atlanta Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
This organizing group works to advocate and address issues APRNs in Atlanta face around legislation, politics, and practice. The group provides regular coffee talks and other events for members.
This active private Facebook group maintains more than 3,200 members and provides a digital space where NPs can talk about their careers, network, and find support from others who intimately understand the role.
Georgia Association of Nursing Students
GASN maintains several campus-based chapters on Atlanta university campuses, including the Emory Student Nurses Association. Check to see if your school has a chapter. If not, consider starting one.
Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Nurses Association
GNA’s Atlanta chapter maintains an active roster of nurse members at every level of the field. The group regularly provides networking opportunities and events alongside continuing education programming.
