A four-week accelerated course and a semester-long technical college program both lead to the same 85-hour minimum required by Georgia's Nurse Aide Training Program, but they get you there on very different timelines and at very different costs. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies across the state are hiring aides faster than programs can graduate them, and that gap shapes everything from tuition assistance to waitlists at the more selective technical colleges.
Passing the NNAAP exam is the finish line regardless of path, so 22 programs across Georgia are ranked here on cost, format, and how well they prepare candidates for that test, with breakdowns by city and schedule type. The real constraint isn't finding a class, it's finding one that fits your timeline and budget without cutting corners on clinical hours.
Georgia's Best CNA Programs, Ranked for 2027
Georgia has no shortage of CNA training options, but the strongest programs tend to share a few traits: low out-of-pocket cost, real clinical practice, and clear preparation for state certification. The programs below are a strong starting point for prospective nurse aides who want an affordable credential without sacrificing hands-on training.
How we ranked these
- Affordability after financial aid
- Student progression and completion
- Postgraduate employment and earnings
- Accessibility for diverse students
- In-house program catalog data
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
South Georgia Technical College
#1Americus, GA · $1,000/yr
Best for: Healthcare beginners wanting a low-cost start
This institution's Nurse Aide Technical Certificate of Credit is an affordable 13-credit entry point into patient care. Coursework layers medical terminology, nutrition, and nurse aide fundamentals with clinical experience, and graduates are positioned to take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program exam. Financial aid is available to qualified students.
- 13 credit hours required
- Covers medical terminology, nutrition, and patient care skills
- Clinical experience included before certification
- Prepares students for the NNAAP exam
- Focused career readiness pathway
Georgia Northwestern Technical College
#2Rome, GA · $5,000 – $10,000/yr
Best for: Career changers needing supervised clinical training
CNA students here move through classroom, lab, and clinical training that reflects real hospital and long-term care settings. Accelerated certificate options and assigned program advisors make the pathway manageable for career changers, and the school provides detailed cost guidance before enrollment.
- Classroom, lab, and clinical training included
- Accelerated certificate pathway available
- Covers hospital, nursing home, and home health care settings
- Program advisors assigned to each student
- Clear cost estimates available before enrollment
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
#3Valdosta, GA · under $5,000/yr
Best for: Students without a high school diploma
This one-term Nurse Aide certificate is notable because no high school diploma or GED is required for admission. Students complete medical terminology, nutrition, and patient care coursework, log clinical hours, and leave ready for the state nurse aide exam. HOPE Career Grant funding may also lower the out-of-pocket cost for eligible learners.
- One-term program length
- No high school diploma or GED required
- HOPE Career Grant eligible
- Clinical experience included
- Requires CPR certification, background check, and drug screen
- Prepares graduates for NNAAP state registry
Coastal Pines Technical College
#4Waycross, GA · under $5,000/yr
This 13-credit Nurse Aide program is open to students as young as 16, and a high school diploma is not required to apply. The curriculum pairs nurse aide fundamentals with medical terminology, diet, and nutrition instruction, then moves students into clinical experiences. Graduates finish ready for state registry enrollment.
- ACEN accredited
- 13 credit hours to complete
- Open to students age 16 and older
- No high school diploma required
- Includes medical terminology, diet, and nutrition coursework
- Approved by the Georgia Medical Care Foundation
Ogeechee Technical College
#5Statesboro, GA · $7,000/yr
The Nurse Aide Certificate here packs about 270 hours of training into one semester, including clinical rotations at multiple approved sites. Coursework emphasizes communication, safety, and restorative daily care, and the state-approved structure leads naturally to entry-level patient care roles or further nursing education.
- 13 credit hours; one semester to complete
- Minimum 270 contact hours
- Clinical rotations at five approved sites
- Emphasis on communication, safety, and restorative care
- Approved by Alliant Health Solutions for state testing
Savannah Technical College
#6Savannah, GA · $6,000/yr (net price)
CNA students here can choose between a two-semester track and an accelerated 7.5-week format. Both options emphasize hands-on daily care such as bathing, dressing, and meal assistance, and both leave graduates eligible for Georgia's certification exam. The program can also lead toward patient care technician training or further nursing education.
- Two-semester and accelerated 7.5-week options
- Clinical rotations required
- Teaches bathing, dressing, and meal assistance
- HOPE Career Grant eligible
- Pathway to patient care technician or nursing education
Southern Regional Technical College
#7Thomasville, GA · under $5,000/yr
Two nurse aide pathways are available at this college: a five-week accelerated certificate and a longer two-semester technical certificate. Both prepare students for the NNAAP and Georgia's state registry, and neither asks for a high school transcript, an unusual advantage for adult learners. Accelerated students can complete the credential in five weeks while keeping total cost low.
- Five-week accelerated format
- No high school transcript required
- Nine semester credit hours
- Open to applicants age 17 and older
- Healthcare provider CPR required
- Clinical experience included
- Two-semester pathway
- Thirteen credit hours
- Covers vital signs, infection control, and emergency care
- Requires criminal background check and drug toxicology test
Chattahoochee Technical College
#8Marietta, GA · $4,000 – $6,000/yr
This college delivers its certified nurse assistant training through the School of Nursing, with coursework in health care foundations and nurse aide fundamentals. Students practice patient hygiene and basic medical equipment tasks while learning how to support licensed nurses. HOPE Career Grant funding may help qualifying students cover costs.
- Health Sciences certificate from the School of Nursing
- Coursework includes Introduction to Healthcare and Nurse Aid Fundamentals
- Prepares students for the Certified Nurse Assistant role
- Covers patient hygiene and medical equipment setup
- HOPE Career Grant eligible
West Georgia Technical College
#9Waco, GA · $2,000/yr (net price)
The Nurse Aide pathway here emphasizes practical skills for nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living, and hospice care. Hands-on training is supervised by licensed nurses, and an accelerated certificate option makes it a realistic choice for students who want to enter the field quickly. The curriculum includes geriatric care and daily patient support.
- Accelerated certificate option available
- Training supervised by licensed nurses
- Covers nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living, and hospice settings
- Includes geriatric care emphasis
- Prepares for state certification
Athens Technical College
#10Athens, GA · $3,000 – $6,000/yr
This 12-week Certified Nurse Aide program combines 135 classroom hours with 45 clinical hours and runs several times a year. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, plus clear background and drug screening, and daytime sessions keep the schedule predictable for early-career students. Workforce funding may cover program fees for eligible applicants.
- 12-week program with 135 classroom and 45 clinical hours
- Multiple enrollment cycles per year
- High school diploma or GED required
- Includes exam boot camp
- WIOA and NEGRC funding may cover fees for eligible students
- Taught by qualified instructors
Central Georgia Technical College
#11Warner Robins, GA · $7,000/yr
This college approaches CNA preparation through a Patient Care Assisting certificate, a fast-track technical credential that accepts students as young as 16. The program works well for high school and dual enrollment students, but it also gives adults a direct route into patient care and nursing assistant certification.
- Open to students age 16 and older
- Fast-track technical certificate
- Supports high school and dual enrollment students
- Pathway to nursing assistant certification
Albany Technical College
#12Albany, GA · ~$5,000/yr (est.)
The accelerated Nurse Aide program here is built for career changers who want to move into healthcare without prior medical experience. Training combines a practical patient care curriculum with clinical experience and points graduates toward nursing homes, hospitals, and home health jobs. The application process is straightforward, and financial aid options may be available.
- Accelerated certificate format
- No prior medical experience required
- Prepares for nursing home, hospital, and home health roles
- Online application and financial aid options available
Southeastern Technical College
#13Vidalia, GA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
This state-approved accelerated Nurse Aide certificate is built around hands-on clinical experience and direct preparation for the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry exam. Graduates typically move into nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, and home health positions, making it a practical route for quick healthcare employment.
- State-approved technical certificate
- Hands-on clinical experience included
- Prepares for Georgia Nurse Aide Registry exam
- Employment settings include nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, and home health
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
#14Clarkston, GA · $3,000 – $6,000/yr
This college offers two distinct routes into nurse aide work: a credited Nurse Aide Technical Certificate of Credit for dual enrollment students and a 135-hour continuing education CNA course. Both blend patient care fundamentals with clinical experience, and the continuing education option includes medical software training for modern healthcare settings.
- 13 credit hours
- Designed for dual enrollment students
- Clinical experience included
- Prepares for NNAAP certification
- Covers health care fundamentals, medical terminology, and nutrition
- 135-hour state-approved training
- Continuing education format
- Prepares for Georgia Nurse Aide Registry
- Includes medical software training
Augusta Technical College
#15Augusta, GA · ~$10,000/yr (est.)
The Nurse Aide Technical Certificate at this college requires 13 credit hours and can be finished in one to two terms. Classroom study and clinical experiences cover hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings, and the state-approved curriculum prepares graduates for the CNA certification exam. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED and minimum placement exam scores.
- 13 credit hours; one to two term completion
- Day and evening class options
- Clinical experiences in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health
- Requires high school diploma or GED
- Placement exam scores required for admission
Lanier Technical College
#16Gainesville, GA · $4,000 – $7,000/yr
This state-approved Nurse Aide training places heavy emphasis on hands-on daily care, including bathing and feeding, with a curriculum that also covers communication and medical technology. The single comprehensive course leads directly to Georgia's Nurse Aide Registry, and training is offered throughout the college's multi-campus service area.
- State-approved nurse aide training
- Single comprehensive course with competency exam
- Emphasis on bathing, feeding, and everyday patient care
- Leads to Georgia Nurse Aide Registry eligibility
- Fast Track certificate option available
Georgia Highlands College
#17Rome, GA · $7,000/yr
The continuing education CNA course here combines 102 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical practice on a twice-weekly schedule. The registration fee covers textbooks, supplies, and exam costs, with students covering their own background check, drug screen, and scrubs. Limited payment assistance makes the program more affordable for qualifying adults.
- 102 hours of classroom, lab, and clinical training
- Twice-weekly schedule
- Registration fee includes textbooks, supplies, and exam fees
- Limited income-based aid and payment plans available
University of West Georgia
#18Carrollton, GA · $13,000/yr (net price)
This approved 88-hour CNA course pairs 64 hours of classroom and skills lab work with 24 hours of clinical practice in a long-term care facility. Weekend and evening sessions make it one of the more flexible options in the area, and the registration fee includes instruction, textbooks, supplies, and scrubs. Clinical clearance items such as background checks and liability insurance are handled separately.
- 88 total hours with 24 clinical hours
- Flexible Saturday and weekday evening schedules
- Approved by Georgia Department of Community Health
- Registration fee includes books, supplies, and scrubs
- Background check, drug screen, and liability insurance paid separately
Kennesaw State University
#19Kennesaw, GA · $15,000/yr
This university's CNA certificate offers about 108 hours of training with a notable career-ladder focus. The program fee includes NNAAP exam fees, and daytime and evening sections fit around work and family schedules. Graduates can use the credential as a direct step toward patient care technician certification or further healthcare study.
- 108-hour certificate with 32 hours of clinical training
- Program fee includes NNAAP exam fees
- Daytime and evening classes available
- Requires skills assessment score of 70 or higher
- Pathway to patient care technician certification
- WIOA funding, payment plans, and VA benefits accepted
Miller-Motte College-Columbus
#20Columbus, GA · $21,000/yr (net price)
The Certified Nursing Assistant program here is built for speed, with 120 clock hours of training completed in about five weeks. The curriculum emphasizes patient safety, medical terminology, therapeutic communication, and legal responsibilities, and rolling enrollment means new cohorts start every five weeks. Graduates are prepared for state licensing exams and nursing home or hospital roles.
- 120 clock hours completed in five weeks
- Rolling enrollment with new starts every five weeks
- Covers patient safety, terminology, communication, and legal responsibilities
- Prepares for state licensing exams
Steps to Earning Your CNA Credential in Georgia
Georgia's credentialing path for certified nursing assistants is straightforward but has specific requirements set by the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), which oversees the state's Nurse Aide Registry. Follow these steps to move from prospective student to active CNA.
What CNA Training Actually Costs in Georgia
Net prices at Georgia's top-ranked technical colleges range from roughly $614 to $6,928, a spread that reflects major differences between public institutions and continuing-education programs. Understanding where those dollars go helps you budget realistically and identify savings before you enroll in one of Georgia's CNA Classes & Programs.
Tuition at Public Technical Colleges vs. Other Programs
Georgia's Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) schools consistently offer the lowest tuition. In-state rates at ranked programs run from about $3,000 to $4,000 per year, but net price after grants can drop dramatically. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, for example, carries an effective net price near $614, while Southern Regional Technical College comes in around $813. Private training centers and continuing-education divisions at four-year colleges, part of the broader public vs private nursing programs cost picture, tend to cost more, with total program fees typically landing between $500 and $1,500 depending on program length and format.
The Full Cost Beyond Tuition
Tuition alone does not capture everything you will pay. Budget for these additional expenses:
- Certification exam: $130, paid to Credentia and non-refundable. A written or oral retake costs $35; a skills-only retake runs $95.
- Background check: $30 to $60, required before clinical rotations.
- Textbooks and materials: $50 to $150, though some programs bundle these into the registration fee.
- Scrubs and uniforms: $50 to $150.
- CPR or BLS certification: $50 to $120, often required by employers even if not included in the program.
Adding these line items to tuition means a realistic all-in cost for most students falls between roughly $700 and $2,000.
Financial Aid and Free Training Options
Georgia residents pursuing a certificate or diploma at a TCSG school may qualify for the HOPE Grant, which can significantly reduce or eliminate tuition. Some TCSG programs are also eligible for the HOPE Career Grant, which layers additional coverage on top.
On the employer-sponsored side, Northside Hospital in Atlanta runs a fully funded, state-approved 18-day CNA school that covers all coursework costs in exchange for a post-training employment commitment. If reducing out-of-pocket expense is your top priority, employer-sponsored pipelines like this one deserve serious consideration.
Explore other Georgia related topics
Accelerated, Online, and Flexible CNA Programs in Georgia
Georgia's accelerated CNA landscape is built around a four-week template, but the fine print on schedule, format, and delivery varies enough that "fast" means something different at every school.
What Four Weeks Actually Looks Like
Most fast-track programs compress Georgia's 85-hour minimum by front-loading full days or stacking weekend intensives, not by cutting required clinical time. A few examples currently enrolling:
- Winder CNA Training (Watkinsville): Four-week hybrid format, though weekend cohorts can stretch closer to six calendar weeks.
- Hillendell Medical Training (Lawrenceville and Stone Mountain): Advertises completion in as few as four weeks.
- Covenant CNA School (Marietta): Four-week option with Monday-Friday day sessions (10-3) or evenings (5-10).
- ECR of GA: Two weeks of online coursework followed by two weeks of in-person labs.
- Health Connect Career Center (Atlanta): Self-paced online theory paired with weekend in-person labs.
- Kennesaw State University: A slightly longer six-week, 108-hour track for students who want a university-affiliated credential.
Additional four-week programs operate in Decatur (Life Solutions for Health), Valdosta (Lou-helen), Conyers (Premier Medical Careers), LaGrange (Premier Medical Training Services), and Cartersville (The Training Center of NW Georgia). Primrose Health Institute in Marietta and AABACUS (also Marietta) round out the metro options.
The Online Caveat
Georgia does not allow fully online CNA certification. Every program marketed as "online" is actually hybrid: lecture and theory hours can be delivered remotely, but the state requires clinical and skills hours to be completed in person under a qualified instructor. When a provider like AABACUS lists a virtual format, that refers to the didactic portion, not the full course.
Who These Programs Serve
Accelerated and hybrid formats exist because the traditional weekday classroom does not work for most people who are just starting to learn How to Become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Evening cohorts at Covenant and weekend labs at Health Connect fit working adults and parents. Saturday-only tracks at the University of West Georgia's Carrollton campus serve career changers holding down full-time jobs. Programs in Valdosta, LaGrange, and Cartersville extend access to rural students who cannot commute to metro Atlanta.
CNA Programs by City: Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, and Macon
Georgia's CNA programs span the state, but the Atlanta metro area offers the highest concentration of options for prospective students. The table below groups programs by major metro area so you can compare net price and format at a glance. Net price figures reflect average costs after financial aid, based on U.S. Department of Education data from 2024.
| Metro Area | School | City | Format | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Metro | Kennesaw State University | Kennesaw | Hybrid | $15,048 |
| Atlanta Metro | Chattahoochee Technical College | Marietta | Campus | $3,407 |
| Atlanta Metro | Georgia Piedmont Technical College | Clarkston | Campus | $13,761 |
| Atlanta Metro | West Georgia Technical College | Waco | Campus | $2,457 |
| Atlanta Metro | University of West Georgia | Carrollton | Campus | $12,786 |
| Augusta | Augusta Technical College | Augusta | Campus | $10,485 |
| Savannah | Savannah Technical College | Savannah | Campus | $6,114 |
| Near Macon | Central Georgia Technical College | Warner Robins | Campus | $7,052 |
Exam Pass Rates and Job Placement After CNA Training
Georgia doesn't maintain a single, easy-to-browse dashboard of program-level NNAAP pass rates, so comparing schools takes some legwork. The state has published pass-rate figures for approved nurse aide training programs in past years, covering periods through 2020 and 2021, but nothing current is consolidated in one place. Your best move is to call admissions offices directly and ask what percentage of recent graduates passed the skills competency exam on their first attempt. If you want the numbers verified independently, the Georgia Department of Community Health can confirm a program's approval status and outcomes.
Where to Find Statewide Exam Data
For broader exam statistics beyond a single school, reach out to Prometric, which administers the NNAAP exam, or check data releases from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. These two sources are about as close as you'll get to an authority on pass-rate trends nationally and by state.
Researching Job Placement and Wages
For employment and earnings outlook, BLS.gov offers Georgia-specific data on nursing assistant jobs and pay. Pair that with insights from the Georgia Health Care Association or LeadingAge Georgia, both of which track workforce conditions in long-term care.
When evaluating individual schools, ask for their most recent annual outcome report or accreditation documentation. Some post placement rates within six months of graduation on their consumer information pages; if you don't see it, request it in writing before enrolling.
Picking the Right CNA School: What Actually Matters
Choosing a CNA school in Georgia means comparing a handful of concrete, checkable details rather than relying on a glossy brochure or a program's location alone. The right fit balances legitimacy, hands-on training quality, and how well the schedule matches your life.
Accreditation Comes First
Before anything else, confirm the program is a Nurse Aide Training Program (NATP) approved by Georgia's Department of Community Health (DCPH). This isn't a minor detail: graduates of unapproved programs cannot sit the state exam or be added to the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry, no matter how good the instruction was. Every legitimate school should be able to show you its approval status without hesitation.
Clinical Quality and Class Structure
Look closely at where nursing school clinical hours happen. A nearby, well-staffed facility with varied patient care experiences beats a distant site with limited exposure. Ask about class size and instructor-to-student ratios during skills labs, since hands-on feedback matters more in small groups. Schedule flexibility, including evening and weekend sections, often determines whether working adults or parents can actually finish.
Hiring Pipelines and Basic Eligibility
Some schools partner directly with hospitals, rehab centers, or nursing homes that hire graduates on the spot, which can shorten your job search considerably. Finally, confirm you meet baseline requirements: most programs accept applicants as young as 16, though a high school diploma or GED is sometimes required, along with a negative TB test and a clean background check.