Best Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in Georgia
Explore the top affordable and flexible online NP programs in Georgia that equip aspiring nurse practitioners like you with the skills they need to reach their potential.
Becoming a nurse practitioner is a rewarding career path that allows you to provide advanced nursing care to patients while enjoying greater autonomy and earning potential than a registered nurse. If you’re an RN in Georgia interested in taking the next step in your career, pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) through an online NP program can make this goal accessible regardless of your location or schedule.
So, what can you expect in this role? A Family Nurse Practitioner focus will prepare you to provide complete, advanced care for the whole family. This master’s option couples theoretical foundations with evidence-based clinical experiences in a wide variety of community-based practice settings. In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the top online nurse practitioner programs in Georgia, exploring key factors like curricula, specializations, costs, and more to help you find the right fit for your needs and interests. Whether you’re drawn to a particular specialization like Pediatrics, Adult-Gerontology, or Psychiatric-Mental Health, or you’re seeking a program with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and leadership development, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to explore the schools that made our list.
Brenau University
Gainesville, Georgia
Private
Columbus State University
Columbus, Georgia
Public
Georgia College & State University
Milledgeville, Georgia
Public
Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw, Georgia
Public
Features of Top Online NP Programs in Georgia
As you evaluate and compare online nurse practitioner programs in Georgia, there are several key factors that you should look for. These features distinguish the highest-quality options and ensure you receive a rigorous, comprehensive education that will prepare you for advanced nursing practice.
Accreditation
Accreditation is one of the most important aspects of any nursing program. For any online program, proper accreditation from recognized nursing bodies like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is essential, as it ensures your program meets relevant quality standards. Graduating from an accredited NP program is also typically required to qualify for national certification exams.
Affordable Tuition & Fees
Financing your education is another important factor when choosing to continue your studies. An advanced nursing degree can be a major investment; look for programs with reasonable overall costs factoring in criteria like tuition rates, fees, online discounts, and potential expenses like relocation for clinical rotations.
Be sure to check our guide for scholarships and online resources for Nurse Practitioner Students to learn more. You’ll also find state-specific opportunities that can help reduce costs, such as Georgia’s loan repayment program for certain healthcare workers.
Certification Exam Pass Rates
In the same way your undergraduate nursing program’s graduate performance on the NCLEX nursing licensure exam reflected the overall quality of its nursing education, an NP program’s certification exam pass rates can help you determine how well it prepares students for professional practice. Aim for a program whose graduates consistently achieve high pass rates at or above state and national averages.
Comprehensive Curriculum & Clinical Options
Top online NP programs feature rigorous, evidence-based curricula that provide in-depth education in advanced nursing skills, clinical decision-making, interprofessional collaboration, and population health management. The curriculum should extensively cover the intended specialty, with sufficient clinical hours and options for completing rotations in your area.
Flexibility in Format & Enrollment
As a working nurse, you need a program structure that works with your life, whether that means part-time or full-time study options, multiple start dates per year, or curricula designed for fully online or hybrid learning. Look for programs utilizing learning technologies tailored for remote students.
Specialization Options
Many of the best online NP programs in Georgia feature a wide array of specialty options like Family, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Psychiatric/Mental Health, and more. This allows you to shape your degree toward your intended specialty and patient population interests from the start.
Exploring Georgia NP Degree Options: Additional Insights
You have several options when it comes to earning your NP credentials; the right one for you will depend largely on your educational and professional goals. In this section, we’ll explore some of these unique paths, including MSN, certificate programs, and a DNP and link to quality schools in Georgia that offer them so you can learn more.
MSN
A Master of Science in Nursing, MSN, is the most common path to becoming an NP, as it provides comprehensive graduate-level education in advanced nursing practice. These programs typically require 2-3 years of full-time study beyond an BSN for an RN. One of the key benefits of studying for a master’s level nursing degree is the ability to specialize. Most schools with MSN programs have several concentrations to choose from, including areas like Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration, Nurse Midwifery, Women’s Health and more.
Featured Programs:
Certificate
If you already hold an active MSN or DNP degree, earning a post-master’s NP certificate offers a condensed route to adding a new specialty credential. You’ll be able to expand your career opportunities through additional nursing specialty skills and expertise.
These intensive programs concentrate on the clinical and didactic components specific to a chosen NP specialty area like Family, Adult-Gerontology, Pediatrics. Certificate prerequisites include an active RN license and MSN from an accredited program.
Featured Programs:
DNP
The terminal Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree represents the highest level of clinical nursing education.
The curriculum for a DNP covers advanced nursing practice specialties while also emphasizing leadership, evidence-based practice, healthcare policy, and other competencies for clinical leadership roles. DNP admission typically requires an active RN license along with either a BSN (for BSN to DNP programs) or MSN degree (for post-master’s DNP programs).
Featured Programs:
Career and Salary Prospects for Georgia Nurse Practitioners
Once you've completed your program and are qualified to work as a nurse practitioner in Georgia, you'll be interested to know what to expect regarding job opportunities and potential salary. The market for NPs is projected to grow rapidly, at a rate of 44.8% nationally over the next ten years. As you can see below, Georgia's rate is projected to be even faster, at 58.2% over the next decade. Regarding salary, the table below shows that Georgia NPs can expect to earn an excellent living, with a statewide median salary of $119,490 as of 2023. Across the state, the median 2023 NP salary was above six figures in a wide range of metro areas, with the highest average NP salaries in the Greater Atlanta area, which also has some of the densest populations in the state.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Georgia | 7,900 | 12,500 | 4,600 | 58.20% | 910 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $91,770 | $119,490 | $165,140 |
| Albany, GA | $96,990 | $107,110 | $132,970 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $83,060 | $113,040 | $142,910 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $99,730 | $123,870 | $165,720 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $88,900 | $116,020 | $148,990 |
| Brunswick, GA | $82,380 | $115,250 | $159,560 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $86,640 | $101,070 | $144,380 |
| Dalton, GA | $83,010 | $104,840 | $133,350 |
| Gainesville, GA | $63,130 | $121,240 | $168,710 |
| Macon, GA | $98,400 | $116,650 | $138,310 |
| Rome, GA | $81,510 | $102,130 | $137,350 |
| Savannah, GA | $92,210 | $111,100 | $131,750 |
| Valdosta, GA | $82,790 | $103,380 | $143,730 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $94,940 | $106,300 | $141,680 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
