Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Georgia (2026)

Emory's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing offers the Master of Nursing (MN) Pathway program, a structured on-campus, full-time track designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree outside of nursing. Over 15 months, students earn the MN, sit for NCLEX, and then continue directly into either the MSN or DNP program. For a working RN who already holds a BSN and an active license, this pathway is not the entry point: Emory's post-licensure MSN and DNP specialty tracks are the relevant programs, and the scraped page does not detail those specialty-specific clinical hours or NP concentration options beyond the MN Pathway structure. The program is entirely in-person and full-time, based in Atlanta, with simulation and clinical training at Emory's Learning Center and partner sites including VA facilities, hospitals, and community health centers.

At $63,400 per year, Emory is among the most expensive nursing schools in Georgia. Its 11% admit rate is the most selective on this list, and its 91% graduation rate is the highest, reflecting a student body that completes what it starts. Emory's nursing programs hold CCNE accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The Hakia Score of 94 places it first in this Georgia ranking, driven by institutional outcomes and selectivity. This program fits the high-achieving RN willing to pay a premium for an Emory credential and Atlanta's clinical network, and who wants a direct pipeline from licensure-entry into an advanced practice degree without switching institutions.

Mercer University's Georgia Baptist College of Nursing offers an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner track based in Atlanta in a blended format: online synchronous coursework combined with in-person labs and clinical experiences. Students complete a minimum of 780 clinical practice hours, with the curriculum covering care of adults, pediatrics, women's health, evidence-based practice, and healthcare leadership. Full-time and part-time pathways are both available, with completion ranging from 17 to 28 months depending on pace. Start terms in January, May, and August give working RNs flexibility to begin without waiting a full year. Graduates are prepared to sit for the FNP certification exam offered by both the ANCC and the AANPCB. Related MSN tracks in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, and Psychiatric-Mental Health NP are also available through the same college. A Doctor of Nursing Practice path is offered for those seeking terminal practice credentials.

Tuition is $31,265, which reflects private-university pricing but remains substantially below Emory. At that cost, the pay difference between a staff RN ($97,550 BLS median) and a nurse practitioner ($132,300 BLS median per BLS OES data) produces an annual earnings gain of $34,750; the program pays for itself in under a year of NP practice. Mercer's 70% graduation rate and 69% admit rate indicate an accessible but demanding program. The Hakia Score of 84 reflects strong outcomes relative to cost for a private institution. This program fits the RN who wants a blended schedule, a 780-hour clinical floor that exceeds the minimum many programs set, and a direct path to FNP certification from a CCNE-accredited institution.

Kennesaw State University's Wellstar School of Nursing offers an MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program in a hybrid format: courses are either 100% online or meet on the Kennesaw campus one weekend per month. The 44-credit program runs five semesters full time or eight semesters part time, making it one of the shorter pathways to FNP in Georgia. The curriculum covers pharmacology, healthcare theory, physical assessment, clinical management, and diversity, with a strong emphasis on practicum experiences at established preceptor sites across north Georgia. Classes are small, taught by doctoral faculty with active clinical backgrounds. Admission requires a BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA, an RN license in Georgia, a research course, and at least one year of direct patient care within the last five years. Graduates sit for national FNP certification. The program is CCNE-accredited.

In-state tuition is $4,560 per year; at two years, total tuition runs approximately $9,120 for Georgia residents. At that cost, the $34,750 annual earnings gap between a staff RN and an NP (based on BLS OES national medians of $97,550 and $132,300) means a Georgia resident recoups the full tuition cost in roughly three months of NP practice. Out-of-state tuition rises to $16,488 per year, still well below private-school pricing. KSU's 52% graduation rate is the second-lowest on this list and warrants attention; many students likely enroll part time while working, which can extend timelines and raise attrition. The Hakia Score of 79.7 reflects strong value for in-state nurses. This program fits the Georgia-licensed RN prioritizing affordability, schedule flexibility, and a nationally recognized credential from a public university.

South University-Savannah Online offers an MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization delivered entirely online for the didactic portion. The 62-credit program requires 750 clinical hours, distributed across three dedicated practicum courses covering adult/gerontology, women's health, and pediatrics. South University arranges clinical placements at local sites; the program explicitly states it cannot guarantee flexibility in clinical scheduling, and clinical hours must be completed in person. The curriculum aligns with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) core competencies and the AACN Master's Essentials. Admission requires a BSN from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and a valid, unencumbered RN license. Graduates are eligible to sit for FNP certification through ANCC or AANP. The program is CCNE-accredited.

At $660 per credit hour across 62 credits, total tuition is approximately $40,920. The national BLS median for nurse practitioners is $132,300 per year versus $97,550 for staff RNs, a difference of $34,750 annually; at that earnings gap, the tuition cost is recovered in roughly 13 months of NP practice. However, the program's 7% graduation rate is a significant red flag. Seven out of every 100 enrolled students complete the program, which is the lowest on this list by a wide margin and suggests meaningful risk of non-completion. The Hakia Score of 66.5 reflects that low completion outcome. This program fits the RN who needs fully online coursework and cannot accommodate any campus attendance for academics, but candidates should ask South University directly for its most current graduation and certification pass-rate data before enrolling, and should factor a real non-completion risk into their decision.

Columbus State University offers an MSN in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration delivered primarily online, which allows working RNs in the Columbus metro and beyond to keep their schedule intact. The program targets the family care lifespan and prepares graduates to sit for national FNP certification exams. Admission requires a BSN from an accredited institution and an active, unrestricted RN license; with a 99% admit rate the barrier to entry is low, making academic performance and clinical commitment the real differentiators once enrolled.

At $4,488 per year in-state, a two-year completion path runs roughly $8,976 in tuition. The BLS national median wage for nurse practitioners is $132,300 versus $97,550 for staff RNs, a gap of $34,750 per year. At that spread, in-state graduates recoup their entire tuition investment in under three months of NP earnings. Out-of-state tuition at $16,200 per year changes the math but still yields a payback period well under a year. Columbus State earned a Hakia Score of 62.5, placing it fifth among Georgia NP programs in this ranking; the 42% graduation rate is a meaningful caution and worth discussing directly with the program before enrolling.

Brenau University offers a Family Nurse Practitioner MSN through its Ivester College of Health Sciences in two formats: a full-time 20-month online track and a part-time three-year hybrid track that adds monthly Saturday classes at the Norcross, GA campus. Both formats blend asynchronous online coursework with in-person clinical practicum hours. The curriculum covers advanced health assessment, evidence-based practice, lifespan care (women, children, adults, older adults), and an NP certification test-prep course. Graduates sit for national certification through ANCC or AANP. Admission requires a BSN from an accredited institution, a 3.0 GPA, completed courses in physical assessment and research methods, and an active, unrestricted RN license; the 88% admit rate signals a selective but accessible program.

Tuition runs $31,470 per year; the 20-month online track carries an estimated $52,450 in tuition plus roughly $2,100 in class fees across the program. At the BLS NP median of $132,300, the $34,750 annual pay jump over a staff RN's $97,550 yields a payback period of roughly 1.4 years on the 20-month path. The three-year part-time hybrid costs closer to $94,000 in tuition, extending payback to about 2.5 years. Brenau is a private nonprofit with a Hakia Score of 61.9 (sixth in Georgia); the 33% graduation rate merits a candid conversation with admissions about program demands and student support before you commit.

South University Savannah offers a Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization, totaling 62 credits. The program is CCNE-accredited, which is the credential gatekeeping national certification eligibility: without CCNE or ACEN accreditation, graduates may be barred from sitting for ANCC or AANP exams. Instruction formats include fully online, traditional classroom, or hybrid; the Savannah campus also provides simulation lab access and assists students in locating clinical practicum sites. The curriculum aligns with NONPF core competencies for FNPs and AACN Master's Essentials, preparing graduates to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan. Admission requires a BSN from an accredited institution (cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better) and a valid, unencumbered RN license in all states where the student completes coursework and clinical rotations.

Tuition is $17,100 per year; a two-year completion path runs approximately $34,200 in tuition. Against the BLS NP median of $132,300, the $34,750 annual pay jump over a staff RN recoups that investment in roughly 11 months of NP earnings. South University is a private for-profit institution with a Hakia Score of 55.2, placing it seventh in this Georgia ranking. The 9% graduation rate is the most significant red flag in this dataset; prospective students should ask the program directly for cohort completion data and board exam pass rates before enrolling.