Last Updated: October 6, 2026
Georgia has seven listed accelerated or second-degree BSN pathways. Nursing sequences range from 12 months to five semesters, with campus and hybrid formats; Georgia Southwestern’s completion time follows its approved cohort plan.
Comparable nursing-sequence tuition figures range from $8,505 to $63,935.76, before required fees, prerequisites and living costs. Most are current-rate estimates; Mercer publishes a program tuition figure. Residency, semester caps and future rate changes affect actual charges.
Compare Atlanta ABSN programs for a closer look at Metro Atlanta options.
Georgia ABSN Programs at a Glance
| School | Est. Tuition | Duration | GPA | Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Southern University Savannah, GA | $8,505 | 3 semesters | 3.2 prerequisites | Fall |
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GA | $10,560 | Cohort-dependent | 2.8 degree + nursing | Fall / Spring |
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA | $10,752 | 4 semesters (~16 months) | 3.0 | Fall / Spring |
Albany State University Albany, GA | $10,912 | 5 semesters | 3.0 graduating degree | Fall |
Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA | $11,340 | 4 semesters (15 months) | 2.8 overall; 3.0 nursing | Summer |
Brenau University Gainesville, GA | $51,026 | 4 semesters (16 months) | 3.0 recommended | Jan 11, 2027 |
Mercer University Atlanta, GA | $63,935.76 | 3 semesters (12 months) | 3.0 cumulative + science | January / May / August |
How to Compare Georgia ABSN Programs
- Three-semester sequences: Mercer combines online theory with Atlanta attendance; Georgia Southern teaches nursing on its Savannah campus.
- Hybrid learning: Brenau and Mercer still require in-person labs, simulation and clinical experiences.
- Without a bachelor’s degree: Brenau accepts qualifying associate-degree graduates or applicants with 60 transferable credits and required preparation.
- Four continuous terms: Kennesaw State and Valdosta State include summer nursing study.
- Longer or individual plans: Albany State uses five semesters; obtain Georgia Southwestern’s entering-cohort plan before committing to a completion date.
Program Format and Attendance
Campus learning: Georgia Southern is based on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah; Kennesaw State combines Kennesaw instruction with Metro Atlanta clinical assignments. Valdosta State runs Summer, Fall, Spring and Summer with 15 nursing credits each term.
Hybrid requirements: Mercer uses asynchronous online theory, but all testing, labs, simulation and clinical learning are face to face. Brenau combines online and in-person instruction in Gainesville with assigned hands-on attendance.
Five-semester and cohort plans: Albany State follows Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall and Spring, with campus lectures and required labs/clinicals; selected online or hybrid courses are not guaranteed. Georgia Southwestern requires Americus-based classes, laboratory and clinical attendance under the adviser-approved plan.
Work and travel: Kennesaw and Mercer discourage employment during the accelerated sequence. Online theory does not remove clinical travel, fixed schedules or clearance requirements; arrange work and personal responsibilities around the assigned cohort calendar.
Admissions and Prerequisite Differences
GPA definitions differ across programs, and a recommended GPA is different from a required minimum. Minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission.
| School | GPA requirement | Key admission detail |
|---|---|---|
3.2 prerequisite | HESI: 75% in each required section; prerequisites complete at application | |
2.8 degree + 2.8 nursing | HESI 75%; all attempts count in the designated nursing GPA | |
3.0 | Transfer or KSU cumulative GPA by credit history; TEAS 78 recommended | |
3.0 graduating cumulative | TEAS 70%; later coursework does not change the first-degree graduating GPA | |
2.8 overall + 3.0 nursing | HESI 75 in each of five sections; designated core courses form nursing GPA | |
3.0 cumulative + science recommended | HESI 75%; prior-degree or qualifying transfer-credit routes | |
3.0 cumulative, science + prerequisites | TEAS 76%; 30 prerequisite credits before entry |
Course age and repeats: Georgia Southern uses a five-year Field of Study science limit and excludes applicants who repeat even one such science because of failure. Georgia Southwestern requires its laboratory sciences within five years of entry; Valdosta applies a five-year rule to specified sciences, Statistics and Human Development, with repeat limits.
Additional preparation: Kennesaw requires seven of 11 prerequisites, including five math/science courses, at application and all 11 before entry; sciences have a ten-year limit. Mercer includes Pathophysiology, Abnormal Psychology and Nutrition; an approved religion exemption requires a three-credit replacement elective.
Transfer review: Albany applies a six-year Anatomy and Physiology limit and requires its two-credit pre-nursing seminar unless already completed. Brenau reviews older science preparation under its 15-year policy. Prior-degree credit does not automatically satisfy every university requirement, including Georgia history and constitution requirements where applicable.
Start Dates and Application Deadlines
| School | Start | Final application deadline |
|---|---|---|
Fall | First Monday in February: Feb 1, 2027 for fall 2027 | |
Fall / Spring | Feb 15 for fall; Oct 15 for spring | |
August / January | Jan 31 for fall; Aug 10 for spring | |
August | Jun 1 | |
Summer | First Friday in November: Nov 6, 2026 for summer 2027 | |
Jan 11, 2027 | Nov 6, 2026 | |
January / May / August | Nov 1 / Mar 15 / Jul 15 respectively |
Valdosta’s November 15 supplemental transcript/HESI deadline follows its final nursing application deadline. Brenau lists November 4 as the final test date for the January 2027 entry; complete required testing before the November 6 application cutoff.
University admission, transcript evaluation and nursing applications are separate steps. Apply early enough for required records to reach the nursing program; the linked profiles explain each cycle’s testing and materials requirements.
Tuition and Costs
The comparisons use the reviewed 2026–27 tuition schedules and nursing-credit plans, before aid. Calculated estimates apply current rates across the sequence, including future terms; future increases or extra coursework can raise actual charges.
| School | Tuition basis | Required fees and other charges |
|---|---|---|
$8,505: three terms at the resident 15-credit cap | $1,293 mandatory Armstrong fees over three terms; nursing lab/liability charges additional | |
$10,560: 60 credits × $176, before term caps | $532 campus fees per term; $160 per applicable nursing testing assessment | |
$10,752 fall plan; $10,944 spring plan | $2,376 mandatory fees over four terms; at least $309.50 in listed charges for five required courses | |
$10,912: 60 nursing + 2 seminar credits × $176 | $3,725 standard fees over five terms; $939 listed nursing testing charges | |
$11,340: 60 credits × $189 resident | $3,272 mandatory fees over four terms; lab assessments and qualifying health coverage additional | |
$51,026: 62 credits × $823 | About $7,866.65 in course, development and services fees, before books and other costs | |
$63,935.76 published program tuition | $3,600 nursing and facility/technology fees across three terms; books and other expenses separate |
Billing caps and preparation: Georgia Southern’s Research placement may lower resident nursing tuition to $7,938. Georgia Southwestern’s approved term allocation may lower its pre-cap estimate; $532 campus fees apply each term, so the number of terms matters. Albany’s estimate includes the seminar, which adds $352 only if still required.
Mercer’s rate and package: Its 2026–27 bursar rate of $1,103.09 per credit gives $61,773.04 for 56 credits, separately from the program page’s published total. Confirm the billing basis for the entering cohort; the comparison uses the published program figure.
Nonresident tuition: Current-rate estimates are $31,950 at Georgia Southern before a possible Research-placement reduction; $40,800 at Georgia Southwestern before caps; $40,432 fall or $41,154 spring at Kennesaw; and $42,600 at Valdosta. Georgia Southwestern offers a border-state resident-rate waiver to eligible students from AL, FL, NC, SC and TN.
Prerequisites, additional graduation courses, books, uniforms, screening, health insurance, BLS, transportation and living costs generally sit outside these tuition figures. Fee totals above are not complete all-in budgets; use the linked profiles and entering-cohort account to plan the full cost.
Clinical Training
Travel and assignments: Georgia Southern placements may be up to 100 miles outside greater Savannah. Kennesaw assigns sites around Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, including nights/weekends; students cannot change assignments for personal preferences. Valdosta notes travel to some agencies may take one to two hours.
Specialty care and simulation: Mercer covers seven clinical areas and uses skills practice and simulation with debriefing. Brenau pairs lab or clinical registrations with specialty courses across the nursing sequence, ending with professional transition and preceptorship.
Clinical progression: Albany normally arranges experiences through Phoebe Health System and nearby specialty sites. Georgia Southwestern combines specialty care with a final practicum, high-acuity simulation and separate NCLEX preparation; Kennesaw finishes with a seven-credit leadership practicum.
Clearance and licensure: Programs require health and clinical-site clearance, including applicable background/drug screening and BLS. Meeting an academic minimum does not guarantee a placement or license; direct clinical hours cannot be derived from degree credits or combined laboratory/simulation hours.
Georgia ABSN Program Summaries List
Albany State University ABSN Program
Albany | $10,912 | 5 Semesters
Albany State’s second-degree BSN begins each fall and follows five consecutive semesters in Albany, including summer. Applicants need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a graduating GPA of 3.0 and TEAS 70%. Estimated resident tuition is $10,912 for 60 nursing credits plus the required two-credit seminar before university and nursing fees... read more.
Brenau University ABSN Program
Gainesville | $51,026 | 16 Months
Brenau’s Gainesville hybrid ABSN takes as few as 16 months and accepts qualifying associate-degree or non-nursing bachelor’s graduates. Cumulative and science GPAs of 3.0 are recommended, and HESI 75% is required. Tuition is estimated at $51,026 for 62 nursing credits before required fees... read more.
Georgia Southern University ABSN Program
Savannah | $8,505 | 12 Months
Georgia Southern’s Savannah ABSN combines 57 nursing credits over three consecutive semesters with campus classes, simulation and clinical practice. Applicants need a prior bachelor’s degree, 3.2 prerequisite GPA and HESI 75% in each required section. Conservative estimated resident tuition is $8,505 before fees; course placement can lower the total... read more.
Georgia Southwestern State University ABSN Program
Americus | $10,560 | Varies
Georgia Southwestern’s Americus second-degree BSN builds on a prior bachelor’s degree through a 60-credit nursing major. Applicants need a 2.8 degree GPA, separate 2.8 Nursing GPA and HESI 75%, with fall and spring admission cycles. Estimated resident tuition is $10,560 before billing caps and required fees; completion follows the approved cohort plan... read more.
Kennesaw State University ABSN Program
Kennesaw | $10,752 | 16 Months
Kennesaw State’s face-to-face ABSN follows four consecutive semesters, including summer, and finishes with a seven-credit leadership practicum. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA; TEAS 78% is strongly recommended. Estimated resident nursing tuition is $10,752 for fall entry or $10,944 for spring entry before required fees... read more.
Mercer University ABSN Program
Atlanta | $63,935.76 | 12 Months
Mercer’s Atlanta ABSN offers a 56-credit nursing major over three consecutive semesters, combining online theory with in-person testing, labs, simulation and Metro Atlanta clinical rotations. Applicants need a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree, 3.0 cumulative and science GPAs, and TEAS 76%. January, May and August entries have fixed final deadlines. Published program tuition is $63,935.76 before fees and other costs... read more.
Valdosta State University ABSN Program
Valdosta | $11,340 | 15 Months
Valdosta State’s 15-month campus ABSN serves graduates with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The 60-credit nursing major runs Summer, Fall, Spring and Summer, with 15 credits each term. Applicants need a 2.8 overall GPA, a separate 3.0 nursing GPA and HESI 75 in each required section. Estimated resident tuition is $11,340 before mandatory fees and other costs; the upcoming final application deadline is November 6... read more.