Online RN to BSN Programs in Georgia

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Georgia

1. Georgia State University

• Program: Online RN to BS
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: No

Looking for a program from an urban school with solid research credentials, a strong minority student population, and excellent NCLEX & certification pass rates? Consider Georgia State’s Online RN to BS. The Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions has created a convenient program that’s backed by real-world connections. Thanks to its location in Atlanta, the College has ties to a huge number of clinical sites. You might even want to continue your education with an online graduate program.

2. Mercer University

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

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. Georgia Southern University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 31
• Length: 2-4 Semesters
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Only Multi-State Compact License

Price, speed & flexibility—these are 3 reasons why Georgia Southern’s Online RN to BSN makes our top 3. NCLEX pass rates at the School of Nursing aren’t stellar. 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.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Georgia

Georgia is a super-affordable state for Online RN to BSN students! We’ve limited our Cheapest GA rankings to programs that were under $7,000 in total tuition, but even programs from big public universities won’t burst your budget. You’ll notice that lots of these schools also pop up in our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. 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

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).

2. Georgia Southwestern State University

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

GSW bills its Online RN-BSN as 100% online, so we chose the Online Undergraduate Rate for our tuition calculations. Having said that, the Online RN to BSN is not listed in the section on Distance Learning, so check with GSW to ensure that you qualify for this rate. You can also ask about any additional one-off costs. Only nurses with a Georgia RN license are eligible for the program.

3. 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

Online courses at CCGA are charged at a unique—and highly affordable—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.

4. Georgia Highlands College

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

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).

5. 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

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.

6. Albany State University

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

Tuition for ASU’s Online RN-to-BSN is charged at a special—and very affordable—RN-to-BSN rate! For our price estimate, we also included 2 semesters worth of mandatory institutional & technology fees. If you study part-time, costs may go up. This is a program for locals. In the BSN Handbook, ASU states that the Post-Licensure Nursing Programs Director will verify the student’s original Georgia license during registration of certain courses.

7. 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

Students in this ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN pay the online tuition rate. Georgia residents who complete the program in 3 semesters 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.

8. Columbus State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 28
• Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes—Check State Authorization
• Cost Info: Tuition & Fees

Tuition for Columbus State’s Online RN to BSN is charged at a special rate. In our calculations, we also included 3 semesters of technology, institution, and student activity fees. If you opt for part-time study, costs will go up. Columbus State uses digital textbooks, which means you won’t have to pay for learning materials. But there is an additional fee associated with NURS 3293 Health Assessment.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Georgia

Need to earn your BSN in a hurry? A couple of Online RN to BSN programs in Georgia can be tackled in less than 1 year on a full-time schedule. You’ll also see them featured in our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. 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

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.

2. 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: Only Multi-State Compact License

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) and the list of board-approved programs. They’re filed under the Education & Exam section.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Even programs with campus components won’t be hard to handle. For example:

• Mercer’s Online RN-BSN Completion Track only includes two on-campus orientation days at the beginning of the program.
• UNG’s Online RN to BSN contains a mandatory program orientation during the first week of the fall semester. There may be an on-campus proctored event activity for some nursing electives.

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

Not really. Because of accreditation regulations, CCNE-accredited and ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN programs almost 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 Completion, students complete work in 3 categories:

• 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.

Instead, you might want to take a look at South University’s Online RN to MSN. Students who wish to earn a BSN within this program can discuss that option with South’s Program Director.