# Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 40 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-georgia

## Methodology

Nursing programs in Georgia ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing the right nursing college in Georgia is a crucial step for aspiring healthcare professionals. With 39 nursing programs across the state, students face a range of options that can significantly impact their future careers. The right choice can lead to strong earnings and job security in a growing field, making this decision more important than ever.

What sets the top nursing programs apart are their outcomes, which include graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, and student debt levels. In the list below, you'll see schools that not only prepare students for the workforce but also help them achieve financial stability. For example, Emory University leads the pack with an impressive graduation rate of 91% and average earnings that top $80,000.

Take Emory University and Augusta University as examples of contrasting paths. Emory graduates enjoy average earnings of $80,137 and a solid graduation rate of 91%, while Augusta University has earnings of $48,472 with a graduation rate of only 49%. This highlights the importance of considering both income potential and completion rates when making a decision about where to study nursing.

## Key Findings

- Emory University graduates earn an average of $80,137, significantly higher than the state average of $46,966.
- Augusta University's graduation rate is 49%, much lower than Emory's 91%.
- Mercer University has an average net price of $23,847, which is higher than other top programs like Dalton State College at just $5,012.
- Georgia Highlands College graduates owe an average debt of $12,000, which is lower than many peers.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Emory University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emory-university) | Atlanta, GA | 91% | $80,137 | $22,585 | $18,250 | 0.23x |
| 2 | [Dalton State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dalton-state-college) | Dalton, GA | 28% | $40,251 | $5,012 | $12,937 | 0.32x |
| 3 | [Mercer University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mercer-university) | Macon, GA | 72% | $58,354 | $23,847 | $24,199 | 0.41x |
| 4 | [Georgia Highlands College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-highlands-college) | Rome, GA | 21% | $43,184 | $6,928 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 5 | [Clayton  State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clayton-state-university) | Morrow, GA | 38% | $49,179 | $8,365 | $25,706 | 0.52x |
| 6 | [Piedmont University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/piedmont-university) | Demorest, GA | 44% | $49,130 | $20,599 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 7 | [Georgia Southwestern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-southwestern-state-university) | Americus, GA | 36% | $48,757 | $12,019 | $18,851 | 0.39x |
| 8 | [Georgia Southern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-southern-university) | Statesboro, GA | 53% | $53,236 | $15,267 | $23,250 | 0.44x |
| 9 | [University of West Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-georgia) | Carrollton, GA | 43% | $49,587 | $12,786 | $23,970 | 0.48x |
| 10 | [Gordon State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gordon-state-college) | Barnesville, GA | 19% | $37,871 | $8,105 | $17,500 | 0.46x |
| 11 | [Georgia College & State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-college-state-university) | Milledgeville, GA | 63% | $58,140 | $20,686 | $22,250 | 0.38x |
| 12 | [Kennesaw State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/kennesaw-state-university) | Kennesaw, GA | 50% | $57,552 | $15,048 | $23,833 | 0.41x |
| 13 | [Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/abraham-baldwin-agricultural-college) | Tifton, GA | 33% | $34,996 | $6,842 | $16,750 | 0.48x |
| 14 | [Albany State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albany-state-university) | Albany, GA | 27% | $40,674 | $11,898 | $25,024 | 0.62x |
| 15 | [Valdosta State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/valdosta-state-university) | Valdosta, GA | 42% | $49,361 | $10,945 | $24,779 | 0.5x |
| 16 | [Brenau University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brenau-university) | Gainesville, GA | 34% | $54,003 | $18,924 | $27,000 | 0.5x |
| 17 | [University of North Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-georgia) | Dahlonega, GA | 37% | $50,135 | $9,823 | $17,750 | 0.35x |
| 18 | [Middle Georgia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/middle-georgia-state-university) | Macon, GA | 25% | $40,863 | $12,361 | $19,000 | 0.46x |
| 19 | [Augusta University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/augusta-university) | Augusta, GA | 49% | $48,472 | $13,787 | $20,500 | 0.42x |
| 20 | [Georgia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-state-university) | Atlanta, GA | 53% | $47,384 | $15,931 | $20,903 | 0.44x |
| 21 | [Agnes Scott College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/agnes-scott-college) | Decatur, GA | 71% | $56,274 | $24,754 | $26,749 | 0.48x |
| 22 | [Columbus State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbus-state-university) | Columbus, GA | 42% | $44,544 | $13,115 | $26,000 | 0.58x |
| 23 | [College of Coastal Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-coastal-georgia) | Brunswick, GA | 26% | $39,318 | $15,261 | $15,039 | 0.38x |
| 24 | [LaGrange College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lagrange-college) | Lagrange, GA | 44% | $51,745 | $20,875 | $25,730 | 0.5x |
| 25 | [Georgia Military College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-military-college) | Milledgeville, GA | 35% | $39,257 | $16,923 | $8,563 | 0.22x |
| 26 | [Wesleyan College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wesleyan-college) | Macon, GA | 50% | $44,317 | $12,724 | $24,094 | 0.54x |
| 27 | [South Georgia State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/south-georgia-state-college) | Douglas, GA | 18% | $35,697 | $8,767 | $11,500 | 0.32x |
| 28 | [Reinhardt University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/reinhardt-university) | Waleska, GA | 39% | $46,541 | $24,425 | $23,900 | 0.51x |
| 29 | [Berry College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/berry-college) | Mount Berry, GA | 72% | $53,800 | $22,320 | $23,250 | 0.43x |
| 30 | [Spelman College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spelman-college) | Atlanta, GA | 77% | $59,993 | $38,967 | $25,000 | 0.42x |
| 31 | [Truett McConnell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/truett-mcconnell-university) | Cleveland, GA | 39% | $46,700 | $22,227 | $23,439 | 0.5x |
| 32 | [Andrew College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/andrew-college) | Cuthbert, GA | 30% | $38,475 | $21,823 | $12,533 | 0.33x |
| 33 | [Shorter University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shorter-university) | Rome, GA | 37% | $44,604 | $16,646 | $25,000 | 0.56x |
| 34 | [Georgia Gwinnett College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-gwinnett-college) | Lawrenceville, GA | 21% | $47,730 | $15,844 | $20,076 | 0.42x |
| 35 | [Thomas University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/thomas-university) | Thomasville, GA | 28% | $49,716 | $18,499 | $21,198 | 0.43x |
| 36 | [Georgia State University-Perimeter College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-state-university-perimeter-college) | Atlanta, GA | 22% | $47,384 | $11,453 | $20,903 | 0.44x |
| 37 | [Life University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/life-university) | Marietta, GA | 36% | $47,397 | $29,791 | $16,666 | 0.35x |
| 38 | [Brewton-Parker Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brewton-parker-christian-university) | Mount Vernon, GA | 22% | $42,009 | $26,054 | $24,990 | 0.59x |
| 39 | [Herzing University-Atlanta](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/herzing-university-atlanta) | Atlanta, GA | 19% | $36,909 | $21,679 | $21,500 | 0.58x |
| 40 | [Toccoa Falls College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/toccoa-falls-college) | Toccoa Falls, GA | 45% | $36,630 | $21,642 | $22,250 | 0.61x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Nursing Colleges in Georgia." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-georgia

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.