14 Schools • 6 Online • 4 Mostly Online • 3 Hybrid • 1 Campus
Fourteen Georgia schools offer Family Nurse Practitioner training, spanning MSN, BSN-to-DNP, post-MSN DNP, and post-graduate certificate tracks. Delivery runs the full range: fully asynchronous programs with no campus obligation, mostly-online programs built around finite intensives, hybrid schedules with recurring weekend attendance, and one campus-based program.
Tuition spans roughly $5K for a targeted APRN certificate conversion to $177K at the private doctoral level. Most programs finish in about 18 months to three years.
A few highlights:
- Kennesaw State pairs the state’s highest MSN clinical total with in-state pricing under $17K;
- Emory is the only school producing both FNP and emergency NP credentials;
- Augusta sends faculty to visit every clinical site in person;
- Valdosta State prices three separate certificate routes to the credential you already hold.
Compare each school’s online format, campus commitment, cost, and degree options below.
Compare Georgia FNP Programs
| School | Online Format | Campus Commitment | Cost Per Credit | Degrees | Best For |
| Albany State University | Online | None stated | $308 CPC | MSN, Certificate | Nurses who want published outcomes data at a low price |
| Augusta University | Mostly Online | Multi-day MEGAI intensives in Augusta | $445 CPC | BSN-DNP, Post-MSN DNP | GA and SC nurses wanting the heaviest doctoral clinical load |
| Clayton State University | Online | Some synchronous sessions (no travel) | $395 CPC | MSN, Certificate | Georgia nurses fitting clinicals around a full-time job |
| Columbus State University | Online | None; 100% asynchronous | $407 CPC | MSN | Shift workers who cannot hold fixed class times |
| Emory University | Mostly Online | Required in-person intensives in Atlanta | $2,320 MSN / $2,110 DNP / $2,152 certificate | MSN, DNP (2 tracks), Certificate | Nurses headed for emergency practice |
| Georgia College & State University | Mostly Online | 4-day summer immersion, 45-hour lab week, ~1 visit per semester | $393 MSN, DNP, and certificate | MSN, BSN-DNP, Certificate | Rural-focused Georgia nurses wanting coordinator help with preceptors |
| Georgia Southern University | Online | None stated; some live sessions (no travel) | $411 CPC | BSN-DNP with MSN exit, Certificate | Nurses who want a doctorate without committing to it upfront |
| Georgia State University | Mostly Online | Mandatory Atlanta lab days; monthly virtual classes | $464 CPC | MSN, Certificate | Out-of-state nurses wanting a ranked public program |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Online | None | $407 CPC | MSN, Certificate | Zero-travel study with high clinical volume |
| Kennesaw State University | Hybrid | Up to one campus weekend per month in Kennesaw | $306 in-state / $1,175 out-of-state + $594/semester fees | MSN | Georgia residents wanting the fastest low-cost route |
| Mercer University | Hybrid | In-person labs in Atlanta; synchronous class sessions | $1,199 MSN / $7,983 flat per DNP semester | MSN, BSN-DNP, Certificate | Nurses who want faculty to own clinical placement |
| South University | Online | None published online; Savannah is listed as an MSN location, delivery mix not described | $660 CPC | MSN, RN-to-MSN | Applicants whose transcripts fall below other schools’ GPA gates |
| University of North Georgia | Campus | Campus-based in Dahlonega | $296 CPC | MSN, Certificate | Nurses committed to rural primary care in north Georgia |
| Valdosta State University | Hybrid | 5 weekend campus meetings each fall and spring, 4 each summer | $332 CPC | MSN, BSN-DNP with MSN exit, 3 Certificate tracks | Certified APRNs converting to family scope |
How We Classify Program Formats
To make comparing schools easier, we classify every program based on the actual student experience, not the school’s marketing language.
- Online: No required campus attendance. Clinical rotations completed locally are not considered campus requirements.
- Mostly Online: Coursework is primarily online, but students must attend one or more required campus visits, such as orientations, skills labs, or intensives.
- Hybrid: Online coursework combined with recurring scheduled on-campus classes or labs throughout the program.
- Campus: Most coursework is completed in person.
Our classifications are based on published attendance requirements and may differ from how a university markets its program.
What’s the Best FNP Program for You?
Best Overall Value
Kennesaw State University delivers 840 practicum hours — the highest MSN total in Georgia — for roughly $16,400 all-in for residents on a five-semester schedule.
Lowest Total Cost
Albany State University publishes an all-in MSN figure near $15,600 at a residency-neutral $308 per credit, with a post-master’s certificate under $9,000.
Best Fully Online Program
Georgia Southwestern State University requires no campus attendance at all while assigning 780 clinical hours and vetting each site through its FNP program coordinators.
Strongest DNP
Augusta University combines 1,183 total hours, campus procedural intensives, and in-person faculty visits to every student’s clinical site at $445 per credit for residents.
Best for Emergency Practice
Emory University runs the state’s only Family/Emergency doctoral track, producing graduates eligible for FNP certification and the ENP-C credential from one program.
Best Placement Support
Mercer University assigns faculty to oversee and help secure every placement across its 780 practicum hours, rather than leaving site-finding to students.
Georgia DNP FNP Programs
Six Georgia schools offer doctoral FNP preparation, and they split sharply on price and access. Four public options run under $35,000; Emory exceeds $150,000, and Mercer runs about $64,000 at its flat DNP rate. Geography is the recurring gate — Augusta and Georgia Southern restrict enrollment or clinicals to Georgia and South Carolina. Georgia Southern and Valdosta State both allow an MSN exit partway through (Valdosta at semester 7).
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Augusta University | BSN-to-DNP | $34K in-state | 3 yrs FT, 4 yrs PT | 1,183 hrs |
| Augusta University | Post-MSN DNP | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated |
| Emory University | Family DNP | $156K–$177K | 7 semesters FT, 10 PT | Not clearly stated |
| Emory University | Family/Emergency DNP | $171K–$177K | 7 semesters FT, 10 PT | 700 hrs |
| Georgia College & State University | BSN-to-DNP | $31K | 3 yrs FT (9 semesters) | 1,185 hrs |
| Georgia Southern University | Post-BSN DNP | $33K | Not clearly stated | 720 hrs |
| Mercer University | BSN-to-DNP | $64K | 8 semesters (~2.7 yrs) | 1,020 hrs |
| Valdosta State University | BSN-to-DNP | $27K | 10 semesters | 1,215 hrs |
- Heaviest clinical load: Valdosta State — 1,215 hours. Augusta University follows at 1,183, with faculty visiting each student, preceptor, and site in person.
- Lowest doctoral cost: Valdosta State — about $27K for the BSN-to-DNP. Georgia College follows at about $31K and Georgia Southern at about $33K.
- Only dual-credential doctorate: Emory — the Family/Emergency track adds AANPCB emergency (ENP-C) eligibility.
- Built-in off-ramps: Georgia Southern — exit at 43 credits with a certification-eligible MSN and a four-year return window. Valdosta State — MSN opt-out at semester 7.
Georgia MSN FNP Programs
Thirteen schools offer master’s-level FNP entry, and the spread on both price and clinical volume is wide. Public tuition clusters between $12,000 and $22,000; Emory, Mercer, and South University sit far above that. Clinical requirements run from 585 hours at Clayton State and Georgia State up to 840 at Kennesaw State. Several programs also restrict where those hours can be logged.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Albany State University | MSN | $16K all-in | ~2 yrs FT | Not clearly stated |
| Clayton State University | MSN | $19K | 2 yrs FT, 3 yrs PT | 585 hrs |
| Columbus State University | MSN | $18K | 2 yrs FT (5 semesters) | 765 hrs |
| Emory University | MSN | $109K | 4 semesters FT, 6–7 PT | 780 hrs |
| Georgia College & State University | MSN | $16K | 2 yrs FT, 3 yrs PT | 630 hrs |
| Georgia Southern University | MSN exit | $18K | Not clearly stated | 720 hrs |
| Georgia State University | MSN | $22K | 2 yrs FT, 2.5+ yrs PT | 585 hrs |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | MSN | $18K | 22 months FT | 780 hrs |
| Kennesaw State University | MSN | $16K | 5 semesters FT, 8 PT | 840 hrs |
| Mercer University | MSN | $42K FT / $58K PT | 17–28 months | 780 hrs |
| South University | MSN | $41K | ~80 weeks | 750 hrs |
| South University | RN-to-MSN (ADN/diploma entry) | $58K all-in | ~120 weeks | 750 hrs |
| University of North Georgia | MSN | $14K | 2–3 yrs | 750 hrs |
| Valdosta State University | MSN | $17K | 6 semesters (~2 yrs) | 715 hrs |
- Most clinical hours: Kennesaw State — 840 practicum hours, roughly 40% of the 44-credit degree.
- Fewest clinical hours: Clayton State and Georgia State — 585 each, clearing the 500-hour certification floor but sitting below the common 600–700 band.
- Smallest credit load: Georgia College — 40 credits at $393, the shortest published MSN sequence in the state.
- Widest cost gap: Emory at $109K against Georgia College at $16K — the same credential, roughly seven times the tuition.
Georgia Post-Graduate Certificate FNP Programs
Ten schools offer post-graduate FNP certificates, and the credit counts vary far more than the label suggests. Most are gap-analysis programs built individually from an MSN transcript. Critically, several do not reduce clinical hours for prior APRN experience — Georgia Southwestern requires the full 780 and Valdosta State the full 715 for MSN holders. Valdosta is alone in publishing separate, shorter routes for already-certified PNPs and AGNPs.
| School | Track | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Clinical Hours |
| Albany State University | Post-Master’s | $9K all-in | ~1.5 yrs | Varies |
| Clayton State University | Post-Master’s | $14K–$16K | 2 yrs FT, 3 yrs PT | 585 hrs |
| Emory University | Post-Graduate | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated | Not clearly stated |
| Georgia College & State University | Post-Master’s | $9K–$12K | Varies by gap analysis | Varies |
| Georgia Southern University | Post-MSN (APRN-certified only) | Not clearly stated | ~2 yrs | 630 |
| Georgia State University | Post-Master’s | $12K–$19K | Varies by waived credits | 585 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Post-Master’s | $13K | ~21 months | 780 |
| Mercer University | Post-Graduate (APRN license required) | ~$29K (est.) | 3 semesters | Up to 780, by gap analysis |
| University of North Georgia | Post-Master’s | Up to $14K in-state | Varies; 27-credit minimum | Not clearly stated |
| Valdosta State University | Certificate, MSN holders | $12K | Individualized | 715 |
| Valdosta State University | Certificate, current PNPs | $8K | Individualized | 595 |
| Valdosta State University | Certificate, current AGNPs | $5K | Individualized | 435 |
- Shortest conversion: Valdosta State — 16 credits and about $5K for a certified AGNP adding pediatrics and women’s health.
- No clinical discount: Georgia Southwestern — the full 780 hours regardless of prior APRN practice, matching its MSN exactly.
- Credential-gated entry: Georgia Southern — open only to nurses already nationally certified in another APRN population.
- Unresolved credit count: Clayton State — published totals range from 36 to 41, a spread of roughly $2K in tuition ⚠️.
FAQ
How many FNP programs are there in Georgia?
Fourteen schools offer FNP training: Albany State, Augusta, Clayton State, Columbus State, Emory, Georgia College, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Georgia Southwestern, Kennesaw State, Mercer, South University, North Georgia, and Valdosta State. Together they run MSN, BSN-to-DNP, post-MSN DNP, and post-graduate certificate tracks.
Which Georgia FNP programs are fully online?
Albany State, Clayton State, Columbus State, Georgia Southern, Georgia Southwestern, and South University’s online option require no campus attendance. Columbus State is the only one that is entirely asynchronous; Clayton State and Georgia Southern schedule some live remote sessions. All still require in-person clinical hours.
Which Georgia FNP program has the lowest tuition?
Among master’s programs, Albany State at about $15,600 all-in and Georgia College at roughly $15,700 in tuition (about $17,600 with fees) are the least expensive published figures, with Kennesaw State near $16,400 including fees. For already-certified AGNPs, Valdosta State’s 16-credit certificate is about $5,300.
Which Georgia schools offer a DNP with an FNP focus?
Augusta University, Emory, Georgia College, Georgia Southern, Mercer, and Valdosta State. Valdosta State, Georgia College, and Augusta carry the heaviest clinical loads at 1,215, 1,185, and 1,183 hours. Georgia Southern and Valdosta State both allow an MSN exit before completing the doctorate.
Do any Georgia FNP programs require campus visits?
Yes. Kennesaw State schedules up to one weekend monthly, Valdosta State five weekends each fall and spring, and Mercer in-person Atlanta labs. Augusta, Emory, Georgia College, and Georgia State require finite intensives or lab days. North Georgia is campus-based in Dahlonega.
Can I complete clinical hours outside Georgia?
It depends on the school. Clayton State, Georgia College, and Kennesaw State confine all hours to Georgia; Augusta and Georgia Southern permit Georgia or South Carolina only. Albany State, Columbus State, Georgia Southwestern, and South University allow hours in the student’s own licensure state, subject to state authorization.
Can I enter an FNP program in Georgia with an ADN or diploma?
Two schools publish RN-to-MSN routes. Georgia State requires two bridge courses plus any missing undergraduate coursework before master’s classes begin. South University’s online RN-to-MSN FNP admits ADN, foreign-equivalent, or diploma nurses (diploma holders also need a bachelor’s) and runs about 120 weeks at roughly $58K all-in. Every other Georgia FNP program requires a BSN at application, and certificate tracks require a completed MSN.