Georgia reported 975 first-time NCLEX-PN candidates in 2025, and 89.1% of them passed on the first try, placing the state slightly above the national average of 86.3%. That gap between top and bottom programs, though, spans more than 30 percentage points, which is the single most useful signal when comparing schools.
The rankings that follow are ordered primarily by first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, with board approval status and program completion rates serving as tie-breakers. Cost, schedule flexibility, and clinical placement quality vary widely across Georgia's technical colleges and private institutions, and the cheapest sticker price rarely correlates with the strongest licensure outcome.
In a state where LPN starting wages hover in the mid-$40,000s and program tuition can swing from under $4,000 to over $25,000, the return on that decision compounds quickly.
Georgia's Top LPN Programs by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 2027 Rankings
Georgia's practical nursing programs consistently turn out strong NCLEX-PN results, and the schools below pair that performance with hands-on clinical training close to home. Each entry covers what the program teaches, how it is delivered, and the practical details applicants need before they apply.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and program completion rates
- Retention and student-faculty ratios
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Accreditation status
- Net price for Georgia students
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
Oconee Fall Line Technical College
Oconee Fall Line Technical College serves central Georgia from its Sandersville campus, and its practical nursing certificate is one of the more direct routes to an LPN credential in the region. The three-semester program is accredited by ACEN and built around small cohorts, with morning, afternoon, and evening class options for students who work while they train. The college has kept the curriculum current, adding a practical nursing capstone in the 2026-2027 catalog, and HOPE Career Grant funding helps qualifying students offset the cost.
- ACEN-accredited practical nursing certificate
- Three-semester program starting in fall or spring
- Taught on the Sandersville Campus, with a Dublin campus nursing presence
- 2026-2027 catalog adds a practical nursing capstone course
- Covers content required by Georgia Board Rule 410-9-06
- Morning, afternoon, and evening class options
- Eligible for Georgia's HOPE Career Grant
- $25 application fee; scholarships and financial aid available
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Coastal Pines Technical College
Coastal Pines Technical College is a southeast Georgia institution based in Waycross, and its practical nursing offerings run across several regional sites. The college moved practical nursing to a certificate format effective July 1, 2024 with no core classes required, which shortens the runway for students who already meet admission requirements. Cohorts meet in Waycross during the day and evening as well as in Alma, Jesup, Baxley, and Golden Isles, and the program carries Georgia LPN Board approval.
- Three-semester, 49-credit certificate
- Starts in spring or fall; cohort-based structure
- Capstone course required
- TEAS exam required with a minimum score of 58.7%
- Day and evening program options
- Certificate format effective July 1, 2024 with no core classes required
- Cohorts in Waycross plus Alma, Jesup, Baxley, and Golden Isles
- ATI fee applies to spring 2026 and fall cohorts
- 57 total credit hours
- Requires the Health Care Assistant HA21 prerequisite
- Competitive admissions process
- Criminal background check and drug screen required
- Approved by the Georgia LPN Board
- Prepares students for entry-level practical nurse roles
Practical Nursing Certificate (PN21) — On-Campus
Practical Nursing (PN12), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Southern Crescent Technical College
Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin runs a practical nursing diploma that blends academic coursework with clinical rotations across a range of care settings. Students build fundamentals, patient safety, communication, and clinical judgment, then sit for the NCLEX-PN for licensure. The college reports a 99.6% job placement rate for program graduates and offers financial aid to help cover the cost of attendance.
- Diploma awarded on completion of the practical nursing program
- Blends academic and occupational nursing courses
- Clinical rotations across a variety of care settings
- Theory and practice integrated under clinical instructor guidance
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN
- College reports a 99.6% job placement rate for graduates
- Financial aid available
Practical Nursing Diploma — On-Campus
Chattahoochee Technical College
Chattahoochee Technical College is one of the larger technical colleges in metro Atlanta, and its practical nursing certificate is delivered in a hybrid format from the Marietta and Appalachian campuses. The three-semester curriculum covers fundamentals and medical-surgical nursing, with clinical experiences in acute care, long-term care, ambulatory services, mental health, community care, and home health. Admission requires an ATI TEAS score, and applications are accepted only during published windows.
- Three-semester certificate program
- Hybrid delivery from Marietta and Appalachian campuses
- ATI TEAS score required; scores valid for five years
- Covers acute care, long-term care, mental health, home health, and urgent care
- Prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN and Georgia LPN licensure
- Applications accepted only during published dates
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — Hybrid
North Georgia Technical College
North Georgia Technical College serves the state's northeast corner from Clarkesville, with practical nursing cohorts that start on the Blairsville and Currahee campuses. Each site admits 20 students, and applicants submit a PN Intent Form during a defined March 1 to June 10 window on top of the standard college application. The program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing, and qualifying students may attend tuition-free through the HOPE Career Grant.
- Three-semester certificate program
- Cohorts start on the Blairsville and Currahee campuses
- 20 students admitted at each site
- PN Intent Form required in addition to the college application
- Intent form window runs March 1 through June 10
- TEAS entrance exam and criminal background check required
- Approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing
- Qualifying students may attend tuition-free through the HOPE Career Grant
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Dalton State College
Dalton State College offers a 12-month hybrid LPN certificate that blends online coursework with in-person clinical rotations, one of the quicker paths to licensure in northwest Georgia. Students take general education and nursing theory courses while caring for patients across age groups, and some clinical assignments require travel or weekend hours. Cohorts begin in spring and summer, and the program is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing.
- 12-month hybrid certificate
- Online coursework combined with in-person clinical rotations
- Spring and summer start dates
- Clinicals may require travel or weekend hours
- Approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing
- Prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-PN
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate — Hybrid
Southeastern Technical College
Southeastern Technical College in Vidalia runs a practical nursing diploma built around fundamentals, patient assessment, medication administration, and safe bedside care. Clinical rotations are threaded through the curriculum so students practice under a clinical instructor instead of only reading about it. Recent board data put its first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate among the highest in Georgia, and every applicant must attend a mandatory information session before starting.
- Diploma program in practical nursing
- Coursework covers fundamentals, patient assessment, and medication administration
- Clinical rotations integrated throughout the curriculum
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-PN
- Mandatory information session required for applicants
- Financial aid available
Practical Nursing Diploma — On-Campus
Savannah Technical College
Savannah Technical College runs an ACEN-accredited practical nursing diploma on its Savannah and Liberty campuses, giving coastal Georgia students two access points to the same program. The competitive-selection curriculum combines academic coursework with clinical placements, and cohorts begin in both spring and fall. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and move into hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and physician offices.
- ACEN-accredited practical nursing program
- Competitive selection diploma program
- Offered at the Savannah and Liberty campuses
- Spring and fall start dates
- Integrated theory and clinical practice
- Prepares graduates for entry-level LPN roles and NCLEX-PN
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Lanier Technical College
Lanier Technical College in Gainesville offers a full-time, day-based practical nursing certificate at its Hall Campus, with a single fall start each year. The selective admissions process admits 40 students, and a TEAS score of 75% guarantees acceptance while 60% is the minimum considered. Clinicals run two to three days a week in eight to twelve hour blocks, and total program cost lands near $9,625.
- Full-time, day-based certificate at the Hall Campus
- One start date per year, in fall
- Admits 40 students annually through selective admission
- TEAS score of 75% guarantees acceptance; 60% is the minimum
- Clinicals run two to three days a week, eight to twelve hour days
- Application deadline is the first Friday in June
- Tuition about $5,700, with total program cost near $9,625
- Financial aid and scholarships available
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
South Georgia Technical College
South Georgia Technical College is based in Americus and offers a practical nursing credential at the certificate or diploma level. Fewer program specifics are published than for most other Georgia schools, so prospective students should confirm current cohort dates, costs, and admission steps directly with the college before applying.
- Practical nursing credential at the certificate or diploma level
Practical Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Most Affordable LPN Programs in Georgia
The table below ranks five Georgia LPN programs by their institution-level average net price after financial aid. These figures reflect what a typical student pays after grants and scholarships, not a guaranteed quote for the nursing program specifically. Actual out-of-pocket costs will vary based on your individual aid package, residency status, and enrollment intensity. Beyond tuition, plan for fees, textbooks, clinical supplies, uniforms, liability insurance, and certification exam fees, which can add several hundred to over a thousand dollars to your total. Georgia residents attending a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) school should explore the HOPE Career Grant. Practical Nursing is listed as an eligible program at more than two dozen TCSG colleges for the 2026-2027 year. The grant is available to students who already qualify for the HOPE Grant (Georgia residency, 2.0 postsecondary GPA at checkpoints, no minimum high school GPA required, and no full-time enrollment mandate). When stacked with the HOPE Grant, the Career Grant can significantly reduce or, at some colleges, effectively cover tuition, though students may still owe fees, books, and supplies. Confirm your eligibility through GAfutures.org and your school's financial aid office.
| School | City | Published Tuition (In-State) | Average Net Price After Aid | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Georgia Technical College | Waco | $3,410 | $2,457 | TCSG |
| North Georgia Technical College | Clarkesville | $3,330 | $4,005 | TCSG |
| Dalton State College | Dalton | $3,336 | $5,012 | USG |
| Savannah Technical College | Savannah | $3,330 | $6,114 | TCSG |
| Ogeechee Technical College | Statesboro | $3,388 | $6,542 | TCSG |
Fastest LPN Programs in Georgia, Can You Finish in 6 Months?
A true 6-month LPN program in Georgia does not exist. The Georgia Board of Nursing requires every approved practical nursing program to deliver at least 685 theory hours and 485 clinical hours (1,170 total clock hours), spread across a minimum of four academic semesters or six academic quarters. Full-time students must finish within 18 months; part-time students have up to 36. Those rules make a genuine half-year finish mathematically impossible, so any "6 month LPN" ad you see in Georgia is either a prerequisite bootcamp, a CNA-to-LPN marketing pitch, or plain misdirection.
What the Shortest Georgia Programs Actually Look Like
Based on 2025-2026 catalogs, the shortest verified full-time tracks cluster around 11 to 12 months, as profiled in the Fastest LPN/LVN Programs of 2026:
- Gwinnett Technical College: 3 semesters (Spring, Summer, Fall), roughly 11 to 12 months continuous.
- Chattahoochee Technical College: described as "just three semesters," typically 11 to 12 months when taken back-to-back.
- Central Georgia Technical College: three-semester pathway, approximately 12 months full-time.
- North Georgia Technical College: three-semester certificate, roughly 12 months.
- Southern Regional Technical College (PN21): 3 semesters nominal, with a catalog rule that coursework must be completed within 18 months of starting the first nursing course.
Dalton State College's hybrid LPN certificate also lists a 12-month completion. Most other Georgia programs run 12 to 18 months full-time, and 18 to 24 months part-time.
Accelerated vs. Standard Tracks: What Gets Compressed
An "accelerated" Georgia LPN program is not shorter in clock hours. It compresses the same 1,170+ hours into fewer calendar months, usually by adding a full summer term and running heavier weekly course loads. Standard tracks spread the same content over four or five semesters with lighter weeks and a summer break.
The trade-offs are real:
- Schedule intensity: Year-round enrollment means back-to-back clinicals with little recovery time between terms.
- Prerequisite timing: Faster tracks assume anatomy, English, and math are already complete, which matters for LPN/LVN Program Admissions. If you still need those, add a semester or two before you even start counting.
- Work and family bandwidth: A 3-semester continuous schedule is difficult to combine with full-time employment.
If a marketing page promises a 6-month Georgia LPN credential, verify it against the Board of Nursing's approved-program list before writing a tuition check.
Explore other Georgia related topics
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From Prerequisites to First Paycheck: How Long It Really Takes to Become an LPN in Georgia
Most prospective students focus on the LPN program itself, but the full journey from first prerequisite to active Georgia license includes steps before and after the classroom. Here is a realistic timeline so you can plan accordingly.
How Long Does It Take to Become an LPN in Georgia?
Becoming an LPN in Georgia means moving through a sequence of checkpoints, not a single fixed calendar, and the pace depends heavily on which checkpoints a given student clears quickly versus slowly.
The Five Phases
Most students start with prerequisite coursework: anatomy and physiology, basic dosage calculation, sometimes a reading or math placement test. This phase alone can run six to ten weeks for someone starting from scratch, or zero weeks for someone who already holds college credit. Next comes the application window itself, since Georgia's technical colleges and private schools admit on set cycles (fall, spring, sometimes summer), and missing a deadline by a week can cost a full semester. The core LPN curriculum runs three to four semesters of full-time study, blending classroom instruction with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics. After graduation, candidates register for the NCLEX-PN, a process that typically takes two to four weeks once transcripts are submitted. Finally, the Georgia Board of Nursing reviews the license application, including a criminal background check, before issuing an active license , a process covered in Can I Become an LPN If I Have a Criminal Record?.
A Realistic Total
Stacking these phases together, most students land somewhere between 12 and 18 months from their first prerequisite class to holding an active LPN license. Students who enter with prerequisites already satisfied, and who test into the program on their first attempt, tend to land at the lower end; those pursuing LPN to RN bridge programs in Georgia later will add more time.
What Stretches the Timeline
Several factors push students toward 18 months or beyond. Waitlists are common at Georgia's technical colleges, where seats fill fast and a strong applicant can still wait a semester or two for space to open. Part-time enrollment, chosen by students balancing work or family obligations, can extend the core program itself well past four semesters. Prerequisite deficiencies, especially in math or science, add remedial coursework before a program application is even eligible for review. And background check delays, sometimes triggered by out-of-state records or incomplete fingerprinting, can hold up licensure by several weeks after the exam is already passed.
Online and Hybrid LPN Programs in Georgia, What's Actually Available
Full online versus full campus is a false choice here: no LPN program in Georgia lets you finish entirely from home. State licensure rules require hands-on clinical hours in a supervised healthcare setting, so even the most flexible programs still put you on a hospital floor or in a skills lab for a substantial chunk of the schedule. What varies is how much of the classroom theory moves online and how the remaining in-person hours are arranged around work and family.
Who Actually Offers Hybrid
Among Georgia's ranked LPN programs, Dalton State College is the clearest hybrid option: its LPN Certificate delivers classroom instruction both in person and online, while clinical rotations run on weekend and evening blocks, sometimes requiring travel to out-of-town clinical sites. Gordon State College runs a hybrid format too, but only for its LPN/RN bridge track, meeting face-to-face one day a week with clinical hours filling the rest, which serves current LPNs advancing toward an RN rather than first-time practical nursing students.
Every other ranked program (Oconee Fall Line, Coastal Pines, North Georgia Tech, Athens Tech, West Georgia Tech, Central Georgia Tech, Ogeechee Tech, and Savannah Tech) is structured as a campus-based program, with theory and skills instruction delivered in person.
Scheduling Beyond Full-Time Days
If hybrid delivery isn't available near you, evening or part-time scheduling is the next-best flexibility lever. Coastal Pines and Athens Tech both advertise day and evening options, and Athens Tech explicitly supports part-time enrollment. Oconee Fall Line lists morning, afternoon, and evening classes with flexible scheduling built into small cohorts. Gwinnett Technical College sits at the opposite end: daytime, on-campus only, with no evening or online coursework offered.
The Bottom Line
If you're working while studying, Dalton State's hybrid format plus weekend clinicals is currently the strongest fit among Georgia's top-ranked programs, while Coastal Pines and Athens Tech offer the best evening alternatives within a fully in-person structure.
Common Questions About Georgia LPN Programs
Below are straightforward answers to the questions prospective students ask most often about LPN education in Georgia. Each response reflects 2026 program structures and state requirements.
Are there any 6-month LPN programs in Georgia?
No Georgia Board of Nursing approved program currently offers a 6-month LPN track. The fastest full-time options, such as those at Gwinnett Technical College and Dalton State College, run about 12 months (three semesters). Programs advertising completion in under a year in Georgia typically still require 11 to 12 months once clinical rotations are factored in.
Can you complete an LPN program entirely online in Georgia?
You cannot. The Georgia Board of Nursing requires in-person clinical hours for every approved program, so a 100% online pathway does not exist. Some schools offer hybrid formats that move didactic coursework online while keeping labs and clinicals on site. These hybrids generally take 11 to 18 months to complete during LPN school.
Does the HOPE Career Grant cover the full cost of an LPN program?
When paired with the HOPE Grant, the HOPE Career Grant can cover all tuition at Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) schools that list Practical Nursing among their 18 designated programs. However, it does not pay for mandatory fees, books, supplies, or equipment. Students should budget for those out-of-pocket costs or seek additional financial aid.
Georgia LPN Admission Requirements and Prerequisites
Admission standards across Georgia's practical nursing programs share a common core, though individual schools, especially those within the Technical College System of Georgia, add their own thresholds. Gather these items early so a missing document does not delay your start date.
- High school diploma or GEDEvery accredited LPN program in Georgia requires proof of high school completion. If you earned a GED, you will need the official transcript or certificate on file before enrollment can be finalized.
- TEAS exam scoreMost TCSG-affiliated programs require the ATI TEAS with a minimum composite score in the range of 58 to 62, though cutoffs vary by institution and cohort competitiveness. Some schools accept the TEAS for up to two years, and many offer on-campus testing dates. Check your target program for the exact minimum and any sub-score requirements in reading or science.
- Minimum GPAExpect a cumulative GPA requirement between 2.0 and 2.5 on prior college coursework or high school transcripts. Competitive programs may rank applicants by GPA, so a higher average improves your chances even when you meet the published floor.
- Prerequisite courseworkRequirements differ by school. Common prerequisites include anatomy and physiology and medical terminology. A few programs also ask for introductory biology or a college-level English composition course. Completing these before you apply keeps your seat secure and prevents scheduling conflicts once clinicals begin.
- Background check and drug screeningA criminal background check and a drug screening are standard requirements, typically processed after conditional acceptance. Clinical facility agreements in Georgia mandate these, and certain findings may disqualify you from completing the program regardless of academic standing.
- Immunization records and CPR certificationYou will need up-to-date immunizations, including hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, and a current TB screening, along with a current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers (CPR) card. Most programs require these before your first clinical rotation, not at the time of application, but starting early avoids last-minute delays.
LPN Licensure in Georgia: NCLEX-PN, Board Application, and Compact Status
Initial LPN licensure by exam in Georgia runs about $325 all-in, including the $200 NCLEX-PN fee paid directly to Pearson VUE, if you're planning on Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Georgia participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) as of 2026, so a Georgia LPN license can support multi-state practice if you meet residency and eligibility rules.
NCLEX-PN Registration
After the Georgia Board of Nursing approves your application, you receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter from Pearson VUE and schedule the NCLEX-PN, the exam step in the How to Become an LPN process. The exam is computer adaptive, and you pass or fail based on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing standard. Questions adapt to your performance, and the test ends when the system has enough data to determine pass or fail. Do not schedule without an ATT; the ATT has a validity window and cannot be extended.
Georgia Board Application
Apply online through the Board's GOALS system. You need official transcripts from a Board-approved practical nursing program, a Social Security number, and a citizenship affidavit or proof of lawful U.S. presence. A fingerprint background check through GAPS/Idemia costs $50 and should be started early. Current guidance lists a $40 application fee, a $200 Pearson VUE exam fee, and a $50 fingerprint fee; the total initial licensure cost is $325. Endorsement applicants follow a separate paper process, a form of LPN/LVN Reciprocity. Processing generally takes 2 to 4 weeks, so track your status online after submitting transcripts and fingerprints.
Compact Status and Renewal
Georgia is an active NLC state, including LPNs. If Georgia is your primary state of residence and you hold an active, unencumbered Georgia LPN license, you may practice in other compact states without a separate license or fee. Renewal happens every two years online by March 31 in odd-numbered years. Reported requirements include a $65 renewal fee and 30 contact hours of general nursing continuing education. Confirm current fee amounts on the Board's renewal screen before your deadline.
