Online RN to BSN Programs in Georgia

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Georgia

1. Georgia Southern University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 2-4 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Compact State
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.99%

Price, speed & flexibility—3 reasons why Georgia Southern’s Online RN to BSN is our #1! NCLEX pass rates at the School of Nursing may not be as high as other schools. But certification pass rates on graduate nursing programs are strong, faculty are experienced, and independent reviews are positive. Better yet, there’s a BSN to DNP with an Online MSN Exit Option. If you live in the Savannah area, ask the RN to BSN program coordinator about Georgia Southern’s clinical connections to local hospitals.

2. Mercer University

• Program: Online RN to BSN Completion
• RN to BSN Credits: 32
• Length: 3-5 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 81.31%

Mercer’s Online RN to BSN Completion is the brainchild of the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing (GBCON). The College has a long track record in nursing education—it was founded in 1902—and receives glowing independent reviews for its supportive “family-like” atmosphere. NCLEX & certification pass rates are in the middle of the pack, but GBCON faculty are diverse & seasoned and U.S. News rankings are good. Put it on your shortlist!

3. University of West Georgia

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 4 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Compact State
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 71.64%

Surging into our #3 spot is UWG’s Online RN to BSN. In 2021, the Tanner Health System School of Nursing paired up with the University System of Georgia (USG) to begin offering 5 courses at a reduced eMajor rate. The School is an NLN Center of Excellence that offers plenty of scholarships. We also like the fact that the curriculum includes 90 hours of real-world practicums, including a Capstone Leadership and Management Clinical course with an evidence-based quality improvement project.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Georgia

Georgia is an incredibly affordable state for Online RN to BSN students! We’ve limited our Cheapest GA rankings to ACEN- and CCNE-accredited programs that were under $6,000 in total tuition, but even programs from big public universities won’t burst your budget. If you want to limit your search to CCNE-accredited degrees, check out our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Georgia Highlands College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 85.06%

Candidates for GHC’s ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN must be eligible for licensure in Georgia, so we’re calling this an affordable in-state pick! Even when you include the mandatory fees, the total tuition is reasonable. We’ve used 30 credits because the program contains 24 credits of nursing coursework and 2 upper-level electives (6 credits in total).

2. Dalton State College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 21
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Check Availability
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 70.69%

It looks like students in this ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN pay the eMajor tuition rate for 4 courses and the Dalton State’s standard online rate for 3 courses. Georgia residents will love the price. The out-of-state rate is higher, but still affordable. We’ve used 21 credits because it’s the bare minimum for upper-level nursing courses. However, you may have to add General Education credits.

3. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 78.15%

If you’re able to complete this ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN in 3 semesters, you’ll pay a highly affordable in-state tuition rate! The out-of-state rate is much higher. We included the mandatory per semester fees in our cost calculations, but additional one-time & course fees will apply (e.g. Application Fee).

4. Georgia Southwestern State University

• Program: Online RN-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 28
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 89.36%

GSW bills its Online RN-BSN as 100% online, so we chose the Online Collaborative RN to BSN Common Courses rate for our tuition calculations. You can also ask the program coordinator about any additional one-off costs. Only nurses with a Georgia RN license are eligible for the program. 

5. College of Coastal Georgia

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 83.33%

Online courses at CCGA are charged at a unique—and highly affordable—online tuition rate. For Georgia residents, the total price for this ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN is one of the lowest in the country. The program is not open to out-of-state RNs.

6. Clayton State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.25%

Thanks to special tuition rates for online majors, CSU’s Online RN to BSN is highly affordable for a CCNE-accredited degree! We’ve used the typical Program Progression to calculate what it would cost on a full-time, 3-semester schedule. Part-time study is also available, but the costs will go up.

7. Albany State University

• Program: Online RN-to-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 27
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: No
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 78.57%

Tuition for ASU’s Online RN-to-BSN is charged at special—and very affordable—RN-to-BSN rates! 5 common courses will be charged at USG’s eMajor rate and the 5 remaining courses will be ASU’s rate. Keep in mind that this is a program for folks with a Georgia RN license.

8. Gordon State College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Check Availability
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 84.38%

To calculate the price of this ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN, we used the special eCore/online tuition rate. GSC has also provided a helpful breakdown of additional costs & one-off fees in the section on Estimated Expenses. GSC’s degree appears to be open to out-of-state RNS, but check with the RN to BSN program coordinator.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Georgia

Need to earn your BSN in a hurry? A number of Online RN to BSN programs in Georgia can be tackled in less than 1 year on a full-time schedule. You could also consider schools in our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Dalton State College

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 21
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Check with Program Coordinator
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 70.69%

In its sample Program of Study, Dalton State states that nursing courses for the ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN can be tackled in 2 semesters—3 courses in the first semester and 4 courses, including a Community Leadership Practicum, in the second semester. However, we recommend you ask the program coordinator if any electives or co-requisites will also be required.

2. Albany State University

• Program: Online RN-to-BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 27
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 78.57%

ASU’s 100% Online RN-to-BSN is available in a full-time format of 2 consecutive semesters or a part-time format of 4 consecutive semesters. Anyone applying to the full-time track must have no more than 0-12 hours of core prerequisites to complete. Georgia RNs are admitted into this program each semester.

3. Georgia Southern University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 2 Semesters (Full-Time); 3-4 Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Compact State
• NCLEX Pass Rates: 80.99%

On an accelerated pace, Georgia Southern’s Online RN to BSN can be completed in 2 semesters (e.g. 4-5 courses per semester). During that time, you’ll tackle 28 credits of nursing coursework, one 3-credit elective, and a mandatory 1-day SOAR orientation that’s offered online. Bear in mind that Georgia Southern encourages working RNs to opt for a schedule of 3-4 semesters.

RN to BSN Scholarships in Georgia

RN to BSN Requirements in Georgia

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN programs are classified as “post-licensure” degrees. This means Georgia universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. At some schools, you will be allowed to apply for the program before you sit for the NCLEX exam. When in doubt, ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for clarification.

• Do you have questions about state licensure? The Georgia Board of Nursing is the first place to visit.
• While you’re on the Board’s website, you might want to take a look at recent NCLEX pass rates (always a useful quality marker).

State Authorization: Do you live outside of Georgia? Before you pick a school, make sure you’re eligible to apply.

• A number of Georgia Online RN to BSN programs are only open to candidates with a Georgia RN license (e.g. GSW, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, ASU Mercer, etc.).
• But it’s not a hard-and-fast rule. Schools like UWG and Clayton State will consider out-of-state applicants with a valid U.S. RN license.

Georgia Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Are There Any 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Georgia?

Absolutely. A large chunk of Online RN to BSN programs in our Georgia listings are 100% online, with no on-campus requirements and practicums that can be completed in your local community.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Georgia?

Because of accreditation regulations, CCNE-accredited and ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN programs always include on-the-ground training. But BSN-level practicums won’t be like clinicals at the diploma or associate degree level.

Instead of bedside nursing, you’re likely to be involved in community & public health fieldwork, leadership training, and practicums for your capstone project. For example, in Clayton State’s Online RN to BSN, students can tackle their practicums in 3 areas:

• Community: Acting as a BSN professional in community situations (e.g. health department, outpatient clinic, etc.).
• Education: Developing an educational offering for a target audience.
• Leadership: Working directly with a nursing leader mentor (e.g. CNO, Nurse Director, etc.).

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Georgia Online RN to BSN Programs?

Probably. When we dug into admissions requirements & coursework sections, statistics was a standard prerequisite for most Georgia Online RN to BSN programs, including schools in our Cheapest, Fastest, and Best GA rankings.

In certain cases, you may be able to take statistics as “co-requisite” instead of a prerequisite. For example, at GSW, you should have statistics in hand before you tackle NURS 4800 Nursing Research.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Georgia?

Online RN to BSN to MSN programs in Georgia are tricky to find. Thomas University offers a Hybrid RN-MSN, but it doesn’t include a BSN as part of the plan of study.

Check out our separate guide to RN to BSN to MSN Programs if you need that bachelor’s degree for employment purposes.