2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Georgia
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Georgia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Southern Regional Technical College, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Georgia. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $10,531 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $69,971 early in their careers. Set against $10,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Oconee Fall Line Technical College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Students borrow a median of $13,644 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $71,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $5,812. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $39,090. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $69,235. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,500. Registered Nursing graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $77,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
North Georgia Technical College landed the #6 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $66,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $19,833. Registered Nursing graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $83,943 early in their careers. Set against $19,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $47,000 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $71,054. That is a strong return on a $47,000 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #9 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $7,064 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $60,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College placed #10 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $86,454. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,120. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $66,030 early in their careers. Set against $16,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dalton State College placed #13 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Students borrow a median of $17,312 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $78,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,312 median debt.
Columbus Technical College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,052, compared with $7,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,845 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Columbus Technical College generally make around $72,650. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College placed #15 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, compared with $5,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,823. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Lanier Technical College placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,190. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Highlands College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Rome, Georgia Highlands College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,080. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,119. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Georgia Highlands College generally make around $79,231. Set against $17,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Augusta Technical College landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $11,400. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,041. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Technical College placed #19 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Vidalia, Southeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,400, compared with $5,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,301 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College came in at #20 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Tifton, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $10,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,431 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College earn a median of $71,704 early in their careers. Set against $23,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Gordon State College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,628, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,225. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Gordon State College generally make around $73,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gordon State College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $19,743 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $87,563. Set against $19,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
South Georgia State College earned the #23 position for value in registered nursing this year. South Georgia State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Douglas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $10,274. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $19,120 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $69,569. Set against $19,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clayton State University placed #24 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $37,783. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $99,969. Set against $37,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Perimeter College placed #25 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Perimeter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,104, with out-of-state students paying around $10,064. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $30,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,883. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
