Georgia's Technical College System — $107/credit at Chattahoochee TC with a per-term cap of $1,605
Chattahoochee Technical College offers one of the most affordable per-credit LPN programs in the Southeast at just $107/credit hour for Georgia residents — with a maximum per-term tuition of $1,605. The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) runs the majority of LPN programs in the state, providing accessible, career-focused nursing education from the mountains to the coast. Georgia does not permit fully online LPN programs — all approved programs require in-person lab work and clinical rotations.
Most Affordable LPN Programs in Georgia
All programs below are approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing. Georgia's Technical College System offers the most affordable LPN pathways statewide at $4,000–$10,000. Programs run 12 months full-time.
- In-state rate$107/credit — max $1,605/term
- LocationMarietta — northwest Atlanta metro
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- Total estimated tuition~$5,671 in-state
- CampusesSix locations across Georgia
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals (day, evening, weekend)
- NCLEX prepMandatory NCLEX review course included
- AidPell Grant eligible
- Total estimated tuition~$5,671 in-state
- Start datesFall and spring semesters
- LocationStatesboro — near Savannah market
- NCLEX prepMandatory NCLEX review course
- AidPell Grant eligible
- CampusesGriffin and McDonough
- LocationSouth Atlanta metro area
- AdmissionCompetitive — specific HESI A2 scores required
- Atlanta accessSouth Atlanta healthcare market
- AidPell Grant eligible
- LocationAtlanta — Georgia's largest city
- NCLEX rate92.1% 10-year average — #1 in GA
- FormatOn-campus + clinicals
- BridgeRN pathway available
- AidPell Grant eligible
- FormatHybrid — online + in-person clinicals
- Start datesSpring and summer
- LocationDalton — northwest Georgia
- FlexibilityEvening and weekend clinicals available
- AidPell Grant eligible
⚠️ Tuition based on 2024–2025 IPEDS data and published rates. Georgia does not permit fully online LPN programs — all require in-person lab and clinical components. Always verify current costs directly with schools.
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LPN Salary in Georgia — Atlanta Leads the State
Georgia's LPN median salary is $49,530/year per BLS May 2024 — the state employs approximately 22,330 LPNs with 6% projected growth through 2032. Atlanta is the highest-paying market. Georgia's cost of living is below the national average outside of Atlanta, improving real purchasing power in most of the state.
| City / Area | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Atlanta Metro | ~$52,000–$58,000 | ~$25.00–$27.88 | GA's largest city — Emory, Grady, Piedmont |
| 🥈 Savannah | ~$50,000–$54,000 | ~$24.04–$25.96 | Coastal GA — growing healthcare market |
| 🥉 Augusta | ~$49,000–$53,000 | ~$23.56–$25.48 | Medical college city — AU Health |
| Columbus / Macon | ~$47,000–$51,000 | ~$22.60–$24.52 | Central/southwest GA — steady demand |
| Statewide Median (BLS) | ~$49,530 | ~$23.81 | BLS May 2024 |
| GA Cost of Living Index | ~93 | vs. 100 national avg | ~7% below national average |
Financial Aid & Free Money for Georgia LPN Students
Georgia has the HOPE Grant — a powerful state scholarship that can significantly reduce technical college LPN tuition for eligible Georgia residents.
Georgia's HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Grant covers tuition at Georgia's technical colleges for eligible Georgia residents pursuing career certificates and diplomas — including LPN programs at TCSG schools. Combined with Pell Grant, many Georgia students significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket LPN costs. Apply at gafutures.org.
At Chattahoochee TC's $107/credit rate, a Pell Grant covers the entire program tuition for eligible students. At Coastal Pines TC and Ogeechee TC (~$5,671 estimated total), Pell covers the full amount for eligible students. File FAFSA at studentaid.gov immediately.
Emory Healthcare, WellStar Health System, Piedmont Healthcare, and Grady Health System sometimes sponsor nursing training for employees in exchange for a work commitment. Contact nursing recruitment directly at your preferred Atlanta health system before enrolling.
If you work in healthcare at major Georgia employers, ask HR about tuition reimbursement before enrolling. Georgia's five major Atlanta health systems all have employee education benefits worth exploring before you pay out of pocket.
Veterans and eligible dependents can use GI Bill benefits to cover full LPN tuition at Georgia's technical colleges plus a monthly housing allowance. Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) near Columbus, Fort Stewart near Savannah, and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort create significant veteran population across Georgia.
Georgia WIOA programs help displaced workers, single parents, and low-income adults enter high-demand healthcare careers. Contact your local Georgia WorkSource Career Center for current training grant programs throughout the state.
Rural Georgia — particularly in the Southeast, Southwest, and coastal plain regions — has many federally designated Healthcare Provider Shortage Areas. LPNs working in these communities may qualify for HRSA loan repayment of $30,000+ over 2 years.
With HOPE Grant + Pell Grant potentially covering all technical college costs, loans should rarely be needed. Complete FAFSA to access if required. Georgia's below-average cost of living helps with repayment on any LPN salary.
Smart Tips for Georgia Moms Considering an LPN Career
Here's what experienced Georgia nursing students wish they had known before starting their LPN journey.
- 🍑 Chattahoochee TC's $107/credit is Georgia's best valueAt $107/credit with a per-term cap of $1,605, Chattahoochee Technical College near Marietta is Georgia's most affordable per-credit LPN program. Combined with the HOPE Grant and Pell Grant, eligible Georgia residents may pay nothing out of pocket. And Marietta puts you in the northwest Atlanta metro — Georgia's highest-paying LPN market.
- 🏆 Atlanta Technical College — #1 NCLEX rate in GeorgiaAtlanta Technical College has a 92.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate over a 10-year period — the strongest sustained NCLEX outcomes record in Georgia. If quality of nursing education is your top priority, Atlanta TC is the clear choice. Its Atlanta location also gives graduates direct access to five major health systems.
- 📍 Coastal Pines TC — six locations for maximum accessibilityCoastal Pines Technical College serves students at six different locations across Georgia — providing exceptional geographic accessibility for students in southeastern and coastal Georgia who might not have other nearby options. Clinical experiences are scheduled across days, evenings, and weekends for maximum flexibility.
- 💰 Apply for the HOPE Grant immediatelyGeorgia's HOPE Grant covers tuition at TCSG technical colleges for eligible Georgia residents pursuing career certificates including LPN. Apply at gafutures.org as early as possible — this is separate from FAFSA but equally important. HOPE + Pell Grant together can eliminate all LPN tuition costs for many Georgia students.
- 🌆 Target Atlanta for Georgia's highest LPN salariesAtlanta Metro LPNs earn $52,000–$58,000/year — significantly above the statewide median of $49,530. The city's five major health systems create consistent, competitive demand for qualified LPN graduates. Even if you train at a lower-cost program elsewhere in Georgia, consider targeting Atlanta for employment after graduation.
- 🎓 Georgia's LPN-to-RN bridges are strongMultiple Georgia TCSG schools offer LPN-to-RN bridge programs. Georgia RNs earn significantly more than LPNs. Emory University and Georgia State offer strong BSN programs in Atlanta. Planning your bridge from day one maximizes the value of your LPN training and saves credits on your path to registered nurse.
LPN to RN in Georgia — Should You Skip Straight to RN?
LPN first, or go straight to RN?
Georgia LPN salaries median at $49,530/year with Atlanta paying $52,000–$58,000. With Chattahoochee TC at $107/credit and HOPE Grant + Pell potentially covering all costs, starting as an LPN in Georgia carries very low financial risk. Georgia projects 6% LPN employment growth through 2032 — above average — and employs 22,330 LPNs statewide, ensuring consistent demand.
If time and money are not immediate barriers, going directly to an ADN or BSN program is worth considering. Georgia RNs earn significantly more. Emory University, Georgia State, Augusta University, and multiple TCSG schools offer strong RN pathways. Our sister site covers all Georgia LPN-to-RN bridge programs in detail.
Explore LPN to RN Programs in Georgia →Prepare for the NCLEX-PN — 50 Free Practice Questions
Passing the NCLEX-PN is your final step to becoming a licensed LPN in Georgia. Our sister site offers 50 free practice questions covering pharmacology, patient care, ethics, and more.
Take 50 Free NCLEX-PN Practice Questions →Frequently Asked Questions — LPN Programs in Georgia
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What is the Georgia HOPE Grant?
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