A technical college ADN bridge and a university LPN to BSN track both end at the NCLEX-RN, yet they differ sharply in time, cost, and long-term mobility. The financial case for either is strong: Georgia RNs earn a median of $93,550 a year, well above typical LPN wages, and hospitals across the state keep recruiting bridge graduates.
Programs here are ordered by first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, with completion rate and accreditation breaking ties. A strong pass rate is the clearest sign that a program prepares working LPNs for the licensing exam.
Demand is rarely the bottleneck. Limited seats and clinical placements usually are.
Top Georgia LPN to RN/BSN Programs by NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Georgia gives practical nurses two realistic routes to RN licensure: three-semester bridge programs at technical colleges and longer LPN to BSN tracks at four-year universities. Every program below puts NCLEX-RN readiness first, whether the path ends at an associate degree or a bachelor's. Graduation rates listed with each entry describe the whole institution, not the nursing program.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Program completion and retention
- Nursing program accreditation
- Tuition and total program cost
- 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
- Internal program database
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Independent editorial research
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
This technical college's LPN to ASN transition track is built for licensed practical nurses who want to move into registered nursing without repeating material they already know. Admission runs through a competitive ranking rather than a wait list, and a high school equivalency diploma satisfies the baseline entry requirement. Coursework pairs classroom instruction with clinical practice, and graduates move into hospital, clinic, and long-term care roles. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 43%.
- Associate of Science in Nursing; bridges LPN to RN without starting over
- Competitive admissions ranked on preparation; no wait list
- High school equivalency diploma meets baseline entry requirement
- Classroom instruction paired with clinical practice
- Housed in the Nursing and Allied Health Technologies Division
- Graduates work in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care
Nursing LPN to ASN Transition Program — On-Campus
Atlanta Technical College
The bridge option here is designed for licensed practical nurses who want an associate degree in registered nursing while building on patient care experience they already have. The program appears among the college's approved degree offerings and credits prior LPN training and clinical hours, so students move directly into RN-level coursework. Graduates are prepared for roles that demand broader assessment, care planning, and patient education. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 49%.
- Associate-level bridge degree in registered nursing
- Prior LPN training and clinical hours are recognized
- Prepares graduates for expanded assessment and care planning duties
- Graduates move into hospital, clinic, and long-term care roles
- Approved program listed among the college's degree offerings
LPN to RN Bridge, Associates — On-Campus
North Georgia Technical College
This LPN to ASN bridge runs four semesters across 65 credit hours and blends classroom instruction with clinical rotations at area hospitals and community agencies. It is ACEN accredited, uses a cohort model led by faculty with graduate nursing degrees, and requires a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses. Transfer agreements give graduates a route to a BSN later, and the curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 39%.
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Four-semester program; 65 total credit hours
- Cohort-based structure with graduate-prepared faculty
- Minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses
- Clinical experiences at local hospitals and community agencies
- Transfer agreements in place for BSN completion
- Competitive admissions process
LPN to ASN Bridge Program — On-Campus
LPN to ASN Bridge Program — On-Campus
Chattahoochee Technical College
The LPN to RN bridge option is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN, with a TEAS entrance exam required for admission. Coursework centers on medical-surgical nursing and the professional transition to RN practice, supported by clinical experiences that build nursing judgment and therapeutic communication. Faculty lead a student-centered curriculum aimed squarely at NCLEX-RN readiness. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 38%.
- Approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and ACEN accredited
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Focus on medical-surgical nursing and professional transitions
- Builds nursing judgment and therapeutic communication
- Student-centered curriculum led by expert faculty
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN
LPN to RN Bridge Option, Associates — On-Campus
Athens Technical College
This accelerated bridge lets licensed LPNs and Georgia-licensed paramedics enter the second year of the nursing curriculum and finish in three semesters. Students cover foundations, mental health, and maternal-child nursing, with clinical placements at multiple facilities and a 180-hour practicum supervised by experienced RNs. Daytime classes and high-fidelity simulation labs round out the preparation, and the application deadline falls on February 1 for a fall start. Bridge seats are limited and admission is selective. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 51%.
- Three-semester accelerated bridge for LPNs and Georgia-licensed paramedics
- Applicants enter the second year of the nursing curriculum
- 180-hour practicum supervised by experienced RNs
- Daytime classes and high-fidelity simulation labs
- Application deadline is February 1 for a fall start
- Covers foundations, mental health, and maternal-child nursing
- Clinical placements at multiple healthcare facilities
- Small bridge cohort with limited seats
LPN to RN Accelerated Bridge Program, Associates — On-Campus
Middle Georgia State University
The university's LPN to RN bridge course is for practical nurses who want to step into professional nursing without starting over. Students cover advanced fundamentals, mental health nursing, and care for clients facing cardiovascular, sensory, immune, hematologic, diabetes, and cancer-related conditions. Prior LPN training earns credits in escrow once the bridge is finished, with three start dates a year and clinical travel that usually stays within 60 miles of class. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 25%.
- Bridge course covers advanced fundamentals and mental health nursing
- Prior LPN training earns credits in escrow toward core courses
- Three start dates per year: fall, spring, and summer
- Minimum 2.5 GPA plus prerequisite coursework
- Clinical travel usually stays within 60 miles of class
- Exit examination in the final nursing course
- Dosage and Solutions exam each term
- Approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing
LPN to RN Bridge Course, Associates — On-Campus
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
This one-year bridge track leads to an Associate of Science in Nursing and is built for LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists who are already working in healthcare. Nursing coursework takes three semesters and meets one day per week, with advanced placement granted for prior clinical experience. The track is approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN, with a hybrid mix of campus and remote learning that suits people holding down a job. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 36%.
- One-year bridge to the Associate of Science in Nursing
- 71 total credit hours across three semesters
- One-day-per-week schedule for working professionals
- Advanced placement for LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists
- Prerequisite coursework required before entry
- Approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing
One-Year Registered Nurse (Bridge) Track, A.S.N., Associates — Hybrid
West Georgia Technical College
The practical nursing to associate degree nursing bridge helps working LPNs step into expanded roles with more responsibility and higher earning potential. Classroom instruction is paired with hands-on clinical training that develops critical thinking, communication, time management, and patient safety skills. Cohorts stay small, labs are modern, and career counseling and financial aid support are part of the package. Graduates move into hospitals, clinics, schools, and home health settings. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 35%.
- Bridge from practical nursing to the Associate Degree in Nursing
- Classroom instruction paired with hands-on clinical training
- Builds critical thinking, communication, and time management skills
- Small cohorts with modern nursing labs
- Career counseling and financial aid support available
- Graduates work in hospitals, clinics, schools, and home health
Practical Nursing to Associate Degree Nursing Bridge Program — Hybrid
Georgia State University
The university's LPN to BSN bridge is the only seamless practical-nurse-to-baccalaureate route in the metro Atlanta area, designed so working LPNs can keep earning while they study. The six-semester program covers 47 nursing credit hours, awards articulation credit for prior LPN training, and pairs distance coursework with face-to-face sessions and clinical rotations in acute care and community agencies. Admission happens once a year in summer, and graduates are positioned for master's and doctoral study. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 53%.
- LPN to BSN bridge: six semesters and 47 nursing credit hours
- Articulation credit awarded for prior LPN training
- One admission cycle per year, starting in summer
- Minimum 2.8 GPA; ATI TEAS required
- Clinical rotations in acute care and community agencies
- Prepares graduates for master's and doctoral study
Nursing, LPN to BSN Bridge Program, Associates — Hybrid
Georgia Highlands College
This LPN and paramedic bridge leads to an associate degree and lets licensed professionals exempt the first five nursing courses after completing two bridge courses. The curriculum runs three semesters across 64 credit hours, waives the lab science prerequisite for bridge students, and requires a competitive TEAS score for admission. A partnership with Atrium Health Floyd covers textbooks, uniforms, and supplies for bridge students and supports the regional nurse pipeline. The institution-wide graduation rate is about 21%.
- Three-semester bridge for licensed LPNs and paramedics
- 64 total credit hours, spring start
- LPNs and paramedics exempt the first five nursing courses
- Lab science prerequisite waived for bridge students
- Prerequisites available online; nursing classes on campus
- TEAS required; application deadline of August 15
- Atrium Health Floyd partnership covers textbooks, uniforms, and supplies
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Nursing (LPN/Paramedic Bridge), Associates — Hybrid
LPN to ADN vs LPN to BSN: Which Georgia Pathway Is Right for You?
Georgia LPNs have two main bridge routes to an RN license: the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) path and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) path. Both qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN, but they differ in time commitment, cost, and long-term career reach. Program-level earnings data for Georgia bridge programs are not yet available at the individual credential level, so the comparison below draws on published tuition ranges and widely reported workforce trends.
Online, Hybrid, and Campus Options for Georgia LPN Bridge Programs
Of the 17 Georgia LPN bridge programs profiled here (see the Best LPN Programs in Georgia 2026 list), zero are fully online. Every accredited pathway in the state runs as either hybrid (online didactic paired with in-person clinicals) or fully on-campus, because the Georgia Board of Nursing requires clinical hours to be completed face to face at approved sites.
Fully On-Campus Programs
Most of Georgia's technical college bridges run in a traditional classroom format:
- Athens Technical College: 3-semester accelerated bridge, daytime classes, 180 clinical hours.
- North Georgia Technical College: 4-semester cohort, 65 credit hours, clinicals at local hospitals.
- Chattahoochee Technical College: Paulding campus, ACEN accredited, TEAS entrance exam.
- Augusta Technical College: 1-year transition program with regional clinical partners.
- Southern Crescent Technical College: Friday classes in Griffin, Saturday classes in Fayette, cohort size of 25.
- Central Georgia Technical College, Columbus Technical College, Gwinnett Technical College, Georgia Southwestern State University, and South Georgia State College also run campus-based formats.
Hybrid Programs (Online Didactic + In-Person Clinicals)
These come closest to what searchers mean by "LPN to RN Bridge Programs in GA online":
- Oconee Fall Line Technical College: Blended learning with evening classes, six semesters, $107 per credit.
- Georgia Highlands College: 8- and 16-week course sessions, prerequisites available online, three semesters.
- Georgia State University (Atlanta): LPN to BSN bridge, six semesters, clinicals in acute care and community agencies.
- Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College: One-day-per-week schedule built for working health professionals.
- Albany State University: Meets one day per week, cohort starts every five semesters.
Best Fits for Working LPNs
If you are clocking full-time LPN shifts, prioritize programs with condensed on-site days or weekend clinicals. Southern Crescent's Friday/Saturday split, ABAC's one-day-per-week model, Albany State's single weekly meeting, and Oconee Fall Line's evening classes are the strongest schedules for keeping your paycheck while you bridge. Fully asynchronous coursework does not exist in Georgia LPN-to-RN education, so plan on protected clinical days regardless of format.
Tuition and Total Cost Comparison for Georgia LPN to RN Programs
The table below sorts Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs by in-state tuition from lowest to highest, making it easy to identify the most affordable options. Net price reflects an institution-wide average after financial aid and will vary by student; use each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate. Beyond tuition, budget for extras that can add hundreds of dollars: TEAS or HESI exam fees (typically $50 to $115), clinical supplies such as scrubs and stethoscopes, criminal background checks, drug screens, and student malpractice insurance.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price (Institution-Wide) | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Highlands College | Rome | $3,120 | $10,080 | $6,928 | Hybrid |
| Georgia State University, Perimeter College | Atlanta | $3,104 | $10,064 | $11,453 | Hybrid |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton | $3,268 | $10,588 | $6,842 | Hybrid |
| North Georgia Technical College | Clarkesville | $3,330 | $5,898 | $4,005 | Campus |
| South Georgia State College | Douglas | $3,314 | $10,274 | $8,767 | Campus |
| Athens Technical College | Athens | $3,390 | $5,958 | $6,949 | Campus |
| Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins | $3,448 | $6,016 | $7,052 | Campus |
| Southern Crescent Technical College | Griffin | $3,516 | $6,084 | $5,661 | Campus |
| Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville | $3,524 | $6,092 | $6,696 | Campus |
| Chattahoochee Technical College | Marietta | $3,540 | $6,108 | $3,407 | Campus |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville | $3,628 | $10,948 | $8,105 | Hybrid |
| Columbus Technical College | Columbus | $4,052 | $7,262 | $4,001 | Campus |
| Augusta Technical College | Augusta | $4,282 | $7,492 | $10,485 | Campus |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus | $5,220 | $16,572 | $12,019 | Campus |
| Albany State University | Albany | $5,656 | $17,008 | $11,898 | Hybrid |
Georgia by City
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Admission Requirements for Georgia LPN to RN Bridge Programs
Practical nursing pathways in Georgia are tightening admissions around standardized entrance exams and precise application windows, so treat dates and score rules as moving targets rather than assumptions. Every applicant to LPN Bridge Programs starts with the same nonnegotiables: an active, unencumbered Georgia LPN license, a minimum cumulative GPA that most programs set between 2.5 and 3.0, and prerequisite science coursework that typically includes Anatomy and Physiology I and II plus microbiology, usually completed with a C or better. Most schools also ask for an official transcript review, and some will evaluate recent science GPA if the overall number falls below the posted floor. From there, TEAS or HESI requirements vary by campus.
What the major programs require
- Atlanta Technical College: ASN applicants must meet a 70% TEAS minimum. Testing is limited to two attempts, scores are valid for five years, and in-person delivery is required beginning in 2026. No HESI minimum appears in public program materials. The July 2025 priority window is not a confirmed 2026-27 deadline.1
- Gordon State College: The LPN/Paramedic-RN Bridge program has a Spring 2027 application window from May 15 to June 15, 2026, with TEAS notifications sent to GSC email by June 29, 2026. Numeric TEAS or HESI minimums are not published.
- South Georgia Technical College: The GBON granted initial approval in May 2025, and the program is also listed as developmental approval in 2026. Requirements include 17 prerequisite hours, English 1101, Math 1111 or 1103, Biology 2113/2113L, age 18+, an unencumbered Georgia LPN license, and at least six months of work experience. The TEAS is required, but no numeric threshold is public. The inaugural cohort started August 2025 with 40 students; 2026-27 windows have not been posted.
- Southern Crescent Technical College: Applications are accepted five times yearly, with a May 1-31 window for August starts and an October 1-31 window for January starts. The August 2025 cohort added 25 seats each at Jackson and Monticello.2 The program requires a HESI A2 score of at least 70.
- Chattahoochee Technical College and Georgia State University: Chattahoochee Technical College requires a TEAS composite of 75, and Georgia State University requires TEAS minimums of 63 overall and 68 in Reading/Math.
What is new in Georgia
South Georgia Technical College appears to be the only newly approved LPN-to-RN bridge program in the available 2025-2026 board records. Other activity, such as Southern Crescent Technical College's expansion, involves existing programs adding seats rather than new initial approvals. Additional programs may have received approval since the last public update, but that is unconfirmed. Because approval dates change, check the Georgia Board of Nursing website, the school's nursing page, or Accredited LPN and RN Programs for the latest status before applying. If a school is not listed with a specific TEAS or HESI number, assume the threshold is competitive rather than fixed.
How to Get Your RN License in Georgia After Bridging
Completing your LPN to RN bridge program is a major milestone, but it does not automatically grant you an RN license. Georgia requires every bridge graduate to apply through the Georgia Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN. As a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state, Georgia issues multistate RN licenses that let you practice across other compact states without additional applications. No significant regulatory changes in 2025 or 2026 have altered this core process, though the Board has expanded program options by granting initial approval to new bridge programs such as the one at South Georgia Tech.
Salary Uplift: What Georgia RNs Earn After Bridging From LPN
Georgia RNs reported a statewide median annual wage of $93,550 as of May 2025, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data,1 compared to LPN pay that has historically clustered in the mid-$30,000s to mid-$40,000s across Georgia metro areas. That gap, often $40,000 to $50,000 a year, is the single biggest financial argument for bridging.
The Wage Gap, With Caveats
Georgia-specific LPN wage figures are harder to pin down in recent BLS releases; the most detailed numbers available are older area averages, including roughly $44,870 in the Atlanta area and $37,270 in south Georgia's nonmetro region.2 Treat any LPN-to-RN comparison as directional rather than exact, since LPN and RN figures here come from different survey years.
On the RN side, the picture is fuller. Georgia's middle half of RNs earned between $79,090 and $106,330 annually as of May 2025,3 with a statewide mean of $95,080.1 Some sources place the May 2024 median closer to $82,500, a reminder that wage estimates shift year to year and by methodology, so use these as a range rather than a fixed number.4
Where Pay Climbs Highest
Metro location matters, especially for LPN programs in Atlanta: Atlanta led the state with a median RN wage of $100,490,3 and its spread ran from about $77,510 at the 10th percentile to $132,230 at the 90th, the widest range of any Georgia metro. Augusta ($87,760) and Savannah ($86,760) trailed Atlanta but still outpaced the statewide median, making both worth considering for bridge graduates open to relocating.3
What Programs Themselves Report
Most Georgia LPN to BSN programs don't yet publish independently verified graduate earnings, so program-specific income data remains limited. One notable exception: Athens Technical College's accelerated bridge lists a $57,000 median earnings figure among its program highlights, self-reported rather than independently benchmarked. Use it as a data point, not a guarantee, when comparing programs.
Georgia RN Salary at a Glance
Moving from an LPN role to a registered nurse position in Georgia delivers a meaningful pay increase. Based on federal wage data, the median RN salary in the state represents roughly $26,000 more per year than the median LPN wage, a difference that compounds over an entire career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia LPN to RN Programs
Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs share many common features, but the details on timeline, cost, and delivery format vary by school. Below are answers to the questions prospective bridge students ask most often, grounded in current program data from Georgia technical colleges.
How long does an LPN to RN bridge program take in Georgia?
Most Georgia LPN to RN bridge programs require three to four semesters of nursing coursework once you are admitted to the nursing cohort. For example, Chattahoochee Technical College and Atlanta Technical College each list a three semester nursing sequence, while North Georgia Technical College and West Georgia Technical College require four semesters. Prerequisites completed beforehand add time, so total duration typically falls between 12 and 24 months for full time students.
Can you complete an LPN to RN program entirely online in Georgia?
No Georgia LPN to RN bridge program is fully online. Every program requires in person clinical rotations and, in most cases, on campus lab sessions. Some LPN programs in Atlanta, such as those at Atlanta Technical College, offer a hybrid format where didactic coursework is delivered online and clinical or lab hours are completed in person. Expect to spend time at clinical partner sites regardless of how lectures are delivered.
Is there a 6-month LPN to RN program online?
There is no documented six month or one semester LPN to RN bridge program in Georgia, whether online or on campus. The shortest nursing sequences currently available run three semesters (roughly 12 months of full time study). Programs advertising extremely short timelines typically exclude prerequisite coursework from that count, so always confirm total time to completion before enrolling.
What is the cheapest LPN to RN bridge program in Georgia?
Among programs with published cost data, Atlanta Technical College lists a total program cost of approximately $11,068 for its LPN to RN Bridge. Georgia's Technical College System schools generally offer lower tuition than four year universities, and in state rates at these institutions tend to be among the most affordable options statewide. Always confirm current tuition and fees directly with the school, as rates may change each academic year.
Are there accelerated 2-semester LPN to RN programs in Georgia?
No Georgia bridge program currently completes its nursing sequence in just two semesters. The fastest options, including Chattahoochee Technical College, Southern Crescent Technical College's paramedic to RN bridge, and Athens Technical College, require three semesters of nursing courses. These are still considered accelerated relative to a traditional six semester ADN track. Part time scheduling or prerequisite gaps can extend the timeline further, so plan your course load carefully.
