Nursing in Delaware

Schools, Licensure and Requirements

Delaware offers a variety of pathways for individuals interested in pursuing a career in nursing. With 15 nursing schools across the state, prospective students can choose from programs ranging from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The state is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), allowing nurses licensed in Delaware to practice in other compact states.

Aspiring nurses in Delaware can pursue various educational routes. Nine schools offer LPN programs, while five provide Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, and four offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees. Additionally, there are options for accelerated BSN programs, LPN-to-BSN and LPN-to-ADN pathways, and RN-to-BSN programs.

Some of the well-known destinations for nursing education in Delaware include the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Wilmington University. These institutions offer a range of nursing programs, from ADN to MSN, and are known for their comprehensive curricula and clinical experiences.

The cost of nursing education in Delaware varies depending on the program and institution. LPN programs typically cost between $5,000 and $15,000, while ADN programs range from $10,000 to $30,000. BSN programs can cost between $20,000 and $60,000.

Delaware faces a nursing shortage, as evidenced by the high demand for registered nurses and other nursing professionals. This shortage presents favorable job prospects for nursing graduates.

Salaries for nurses in Delaware are competitive. The median annual salary for Registered Nurses is $94,670, while Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earn a median annual salary of $63,490.

Quick Stats about Delaware

15
Nursing Schools
87.6 %
Avg NCLEX Rate
NLC Member
Compact State
$92,530
Avg RN Salary

Top 10 Nursing Schools in Delaware

These are the highest-performing nursing schools in Delaware for 2025, ranked by their students' success on the NCLEX-RN exam. If you're choosing where to study, these programs have proven track records of preparing graduates to pass on their first attempt. See how we calculate rankings.

1
Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center
Diploma
Lewes
99.2% NCLEX
2
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry
LPN, ADN, BSN, LPN to ADN
Dover
95.8% NCLEX
3
University of Delaware
ADN, BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN
Newark
92.1% NCLEX
4
Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton
LPN, ADN, LPN to ADN
Newark
89.5% NCLEX
5
Delaware Technical Community College - Owens
LPN, ADN, LPN to ADN
Georgetown
88.0% NCLEX
6
Delaware State University
ADN, BSN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN, MSN
Dover
82.2% NCLEX

Delaware's NCLEX-RN Pass Rate vs. National Average

Compare Delaware's NCLEX-RN pass rates to the national average over the years, including the number of students who took the exam.

Delaware's NCLEX-PN Pass Rate vs. National Average

Compare Delaware's NCLEX-PN pass rates to the national average over the years, including the number of students who took the exam.

Browse Programs by Type

Browse all nursing programs available in Delaware, organized by degree type. Click any program to see schools offering that program with detailed information for easy comparison.

Undergraduate Programs

ADN (5)
BSN (4)
Diploma (1)
LPN (10)
LPN to ADN (3)
LPN to BSN (1)
RN to BSN (2)

Masters Programs

MSN (3)

Nursing Scholarships for Delaware Students

Fresh Start Scholarship
Offered by: Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
Applicants should be women at least 20 years old with financial need who have a high school diploma or G.E.D., have had at least a two year break in education either after finishing high school or during college studies and are enrolled in a Delaware college in a two- or four-year degree program at the undergraduate level. Applicants should have at least a C average if already in college.
Silver Scholarship
Offered by: Delaware State University
Applicant must be an incoming freshman student who is not a resident of Delaware. Selection based upon above average academic achievement.
Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans
Offered by: Delaware Higher Education Commission
Applicant must be a Delaware resident between the ages of 16 and 24 who is the child of a deceased military veteran or state police officer who was a Delaware resident, and whose death was service related.
View All Delaware Scholarships

Delaware State Board of Nursing

861 Silver Lake Blvd., Cannon Building, Suite 203 
Dover, DE 19904

Mailing Address

861 Silver Lake Blvd., Cannon Building, Suite 203 
Dover, DE 19904

Phone: 302.744.4500

Fax: 302.739.2711

NLC Member
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Website
Contact Person: Pamela Zickafoose, Ed.D, RN, CNA-BC, CNE, Executive Director