Delaware Nursing Schools and Programs
Researching and then applying to accredited nursing schools in Delaware can be a time-consuming task. For those just getting started in Nursing, we suggest that you focus on your near-term education goals and the Delaware licensing requirements. The first question to ask yourself is: Do I want to begin my career in the state of Delaware as a Nursing Assistant, Practical Nurse, or Registered Nurse? See our nursing education chart below for some insight into how long it takes to graduate from the most popular CNA, LPN, and RN nursing programs in Delaware.
Delaware Registered Nurse (RN) programs generally lead to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN), which typically lasts 2 years, or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN), which lasts 4 years.
While earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) is an important milestone for nurses, many Delaware nursing school students gain meaningful work experience and earn an income upon completion of a shorter Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nursing program in the state of Delaware.
Starting with a shorter CNA or LPN program can also strengthen your ASN or BSN application by showing commitment and clinical readiness. For those pursuing Delaware RN licensure directly, associate degree programs are often more accessible than bachelor's programs. Earning your RN through an ASN, then advancing through an RN to BSN program or RN to MSN bridge, is a common and effective path in Delaware.
Nursing Schools
List Of Nursing Schools In Delaware
Below is our list of accredited nursing schools in Delaware. In general, these colleges, universities, and training centers offer campus-based CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing. RN schools in DE will generally offer an ADN, ASN, or BSN nursing degree. Advanced Practice (APRN) and Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs can be found at larger schools that offer MSN and DNP degrees.
Click the name of any Delaware nursing school below to view the cost to attend, SAT and ACT scores, college or university characteristics, student body profile, satellite map of the surrounding area, and to view any additional nursing program information we have available in our database. Use the wishlist buttons provided to save institutions to a private list of nursing schools near you.
Dawn Career Institute
252 Chapman Road,
Newark,
DE
19702
302-273-3560
Dawn Career Institute is a Private for-profit institution with a campus in Newark, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Newark, Delaware campus for Dawn Career Institute is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 385. In-state tuition and fees were $15,795 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: CNA
- Tuition Cost $15,795
- Acceptance Rate Open
Delaware State University
1200 N DuPont Highway,
Dover,
DE
19901
302-857-6060
Delaware State University is a Public institution with a campus in Dover, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Dover, Delaware campus for Delaware State University is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 5,828. In-state tuition and fees were $10,670 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN, RN-to-MSN
- Tuition Cost $10,670
- Room and Board $16,664
- Acceptance Rate 62%
- ACT Score 22-26
Delaware Technical Community College
100 Campus Drive,
Dover,
DE
19904
302-857-1000
Delaware Technical Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Dover, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Dover, Delaware campus for Delaware Technical Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 13,231. In-state tuition and fees were $5,445 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN, ASN, RN-to-BSN
- Tuition Cost $5,445
- Acceptance Rate Open
Delaware Technical Community College
21179 College Drive,
Georgetown,
DE
19947
302-259-6000
Delaware Technical Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Georgetown, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Georgetown, Delaware campus for Delaware Technical Community College is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 13,895. In-state tuition and fees were $4,945 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: LPN, ASN, BSN
- Tuition Cost $4,945
- Acceptance Rate Open
Delaware Technical Community College
400 Stanton-Christiana Road,
Newark,
DE
19713
302-454-3900
Delaware Technical Community College is a Public institution with a campus in Newark, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Newark, Delaware campus for Delaware Technical Community College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 13,895. In-state tuition and fees were $4,945 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: ASN, BSN
- Tuition Cost $4,945
- Acceptance Rate Open
Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center
424 Savannah Rd,
Lewes,
DE
19958
302-645-3251
Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Lewes, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Lewes, Delaware campus for Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center is located in a Town setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 43. In-state tuition and fees were $9,000 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: DIP
- Tuition Cost $9,000
Polytech Adult Education
823 Walnut Shade Road,
Woodside,
DE
19980
302-697-4545
Polytech Adult Education is a Public institution with a campus in Woodside, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Woodside, Delaware campus for Polytech Adult Education is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 631. In-state tuition and fees were $1,445 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: CNA, LPN
- Tuition Cost $1,445
- Acceptance Rate Open
University of Delaware
104 Hullihen Hall,
Newark,
DE
19716
302-831-2000
University of Delaware is a Public institution with a campus in Newark, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Newark, Delaware campus for University of Delaware is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 24,221. In-state tuition and fees were $16,810 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, ABSN, MSN, Post-MSN, DNP, PhD
- Tuition Cost $16,810
- Room and Board $15,386
- Acceptance Rate 65%
- ACT Score 27-31
Wesley College
120 North State Street,
Dover,
DE
19901
302-736-2300
Wesley College is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in Dover, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The Dover, Delaware campus for Wesley College is located in a City setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 1,351. In-state tuition and fees were $26,756 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, MSN
- Tuition Cost $26,756
- Room and Board $11,864
- Acceptance Rate 62%
- ACT Score 15-20
Wilmington University
320 N Dupont Hwy,
New Castle,
DE
19720
877-967-5464
Wilmington University is a Private not-for-profit institution with a campus in New Castle, Delaware. The institution is approved to offer nursing programs by the Delaware Board of Nursing. The New Castle, Delaware campus for Wilmington University is located in a Suburb setting. Total enrollment for all degrees including nursing programs is 14,678. In-state tuition and fees were $12,630 for the most recent reporting period. …
Nursing Programs: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, Post-MSN, DNP, DNAP
- Tuition Cost $12,630
- Acceptance Rate Open
How To Become
How do I become a nurse in Delaware?
If you want to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Delaware, you will need to complete a Registered Nurse training program. Registered Nurse programs generally last 2 to 4 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Delaware registered nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-RN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you will apply for a Registered Nurse license from the Delaware Board of Nursing.
If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the state of Delaware, you will need to complete a Practical Nurse training program. Practical Nursing programs generally last 1 to 1.5 years (see chart at the top of this page). Upon completion of your Delaware practical nursing program, you will have to pass the nationwide NCLEX-PN exam. After you pass the NCLEX-PN exam, you will apply for a Practical Nurse license from the Delaware Board of Nursing.
How Long It Takes
How long is nursing school in Delaware?
The amount of time you spend in a Delaware nursing school will vary based on the career path you choose. You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in as little as 6 to 12 weeks. Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1 to 1.5 years, a Delaware Registered Nurse (RN) in 2 to 4 years, or stay in nursing school longer to become a Nurse Practitioner in 6 to 8 years.
Above on this page, we created a chart that summarizes how long nursing school is in Delaware. That chart includes the number of nurses employed in the state of Delaware, along with the average wages earned at each education level.
Notice that in the state of Delaware, far greater numbers are employed as Registered Nurses (RN) compared to Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). Notice also that a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Delaware earns far more in wages compared to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Use the nursing program acronyms CNA, LPN, ASN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD to help identify which Delaware nursing schools offer the length of program you desire.
Tuition Cost
How much does nursing school in Delaware cost?
Tuition for a nursing school in Delaware will cost between $4,000 to $6,000 per year for state residents seeking a two-year Associate degree, an ADN, or ASN, for example. The larger public four-year colleges and universities in Delaware cost more, between $8,000 to $16,000 per year, for state residents seeking their Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN).
To help reduce the cost of nursing school in Delaware, a student can generally take their pre-nursing courses at a smaller two-year college. Then, transfer those credits into the larger four-year college or university of your choice. Each college has its own method of awarding transfer credits for pre-nursing coursework. You will need to plan ahead and question the receiving school before you start your first pre-nursing class.
Difficulty
Is it hard to get into a Delaware nursing school?
We list the quoted acceptance rate provided by each Delaware nursing school. A college acceptance rate is calculated by dividing the number of accepted students by the number of total applicants. Reviewing the list of nursing schools in Delaware provided above, we can see the acceptance rates range from about 50% to 100% or Open. SAT and ACT scores are displayed on each individual nursing school page.
If you are having trouble getting accepted into a Delaware nursing school due to a below average GPA, SAT, or ACT score, here are two strategies which might help: 1) take your pre-nursing courses at your local community college then reapply later as a transfer student with an above average GPA, and, 2) get your Nursing Assistant or Practical Nurse license to help you gain experience and stand out from other college applicants.
Compact State
Is Delaware a nursing compact state?
Yes, Delaware is part of the nursing license compact. Delaware recently enacted the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) agreement, which allows nurses to practice in all but a handful of states. This means that a Delaware Licensed Practical Nurse or a Delaware Registered Nurse can now apply for a multi-state nursing license.
Last updated: February 5, 2026
References:
- Delaware Nursing License Requirements. State of Delaware, Board of Nursing. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- Delaware State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- Tuition And Characteristics Of Delaware Colleges. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 5, 2026.
- Delaware Nurse Licensure Compact Status. NCSBN, National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Retrieved February 5, 2026.