Delaware Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide
Finding the best nursing program for your educational and career goals can be a daunting process. The following guide will provide you with essential information on the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in the state of Delaware. Delaware’s colleges and universities afford students the opportunity to specialize in such areas as clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, or health services administration. Online nursing programs allow students to earn a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in a flexible and convenient way. The University of Delaware also features hybrid programs leading to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Quick Facts
- 6 schools with nursing programs in Delaware are in our database (see below).
- 2 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
- 5 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
- 3 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
- 1 school ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
- 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
- No schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4
Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in Delaware
Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*
- University of Delaware (#38 in-state, #43 out-of-state)
*Institution-wide ranking.
Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018
- University of Delaware
US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s
- Wesley College (#210 tie)
Continue reading below where you will find more information about the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in Delaware.
NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Delaware
The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Delaware nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Delaware Board of Nursing (https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/).
| School | ADN or LVN Program | BSN Program | Graduate Nursing Program | ACEN/CCNE Accred.* | NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate** | # Taking | NCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^ | # Taking | Net Price^^ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State University | No | Yes | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 84% | 25 | $12,951 |
| Delaware Technical Community College-Owens | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 95.83% | 24 | 88% | 100 | $7,008 |
| Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton | Yes | No | No | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 86.09% | 115 | $7,008 |
| Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | Yes | No | No | ACEN | 100% | 29 | 94.12% | 119 | $7,008 |
| University of Delaware | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | 84.92% | 179 | $15,149 |
| Wesley College | No | Yes | Yes | ACEN | N/A | N/A | 83.33% | 24 | $23,165 |
| Wilmington University | No | Yes | Yes | CCNE | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $12,980 |
*The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
**NCLEX-PN pass rates are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).
Schools in Delaware with Nursing Degrees
Associate’s in Nursing Programs
Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC) offers an associate degree nursing program that can be completed on its Dover, Georgetown, or Stanton campuses. Admission to the program is competitive and is based on the student’s cumulative GPA, completion of course prerequisites, and pre-admission exam scores, among other factors. Licensed practical nurses and certified paramedics may be eligible for advanced placement, with up to 16 credit hours awarded towards the degree. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn registered nurse licensure in Delaware. DTCC’s associate degree nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). DTCC also offers a practical nursing program on its Dover and Georgetown campuses.
Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs
Delaware State University
Delaware State University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which combines general college coursework with nursing courses, generally takes four years to complete. In addition to math, science, and English requirements, nursing majors will complete a full menu of nursing core and elective courses such as community health, maternal newborn, issues and leadership, health assessment, and psych and mental health. Students are encouraged to become involved with the campus chapter of the Student Nurses Association. Graduates of the program are then eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and to become registered nurses.
Wilmington University
Wilmington University provides students, who have already earned an associate’s degree or a diploma in nursing and who are currently registered nurses, the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through the university’s RN to BSN program. Students, who do not possess an associate’s degree, will be required to complete such core requirements as public speaking and English communication before moving to upper division courses. Nursing majors will complete a full range of required and elective nursing courses focusing on holistic health assessment, nurse as a consumer of research, global healthcare, and nurse as leader. A clinical practicum is also mandatory. Students interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) may also want to consider the university’s BSN to MSN program.
Master’s and DNP Nursing Programs
Wesley College
Registered nurses, regardless of whether they hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), may pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) through Wesley College’s RN to MSN program. The program is divided into several components: core courses, core research courses, and clinical care core courses. Core courses focus on health promotion across the lifespan, advanced pharmacology, leadership role in advanced nursing practice, advanced physical assessment, and advanced pathophysiology. The research core focuses on the research and development of a master’s thesis while graduate students must complete three clinical rotations. To successfully complete the MSN program, graduate students must maintain their RN license and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware affords graduate students the flexibility of earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in a hybrid format, which requires both online and traditional classroom learning. Graduate students may choose from one of several concentrations, including family nurse practitioner, adult/gerontology nurse practitioner, or psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least one year of clinical experience after graduation. At least 784 hours of clinical rotations are mandatory for the family and adult/gerontology programs, while the psychiatric/mental health program requires at least 756 clinical hours in at least three modalities. The university also offers a PhD in Nursing Science for those interested in nursing research.
Student Reviews
Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.
Delaware Technical Community College
100 Campus Dr
Dover, DE 19904
(302) 857-1000
https://www.dtcc.edu
Student Review: “For the most part I have enjoyed my time at Delaware Technical Community College. It is a very cost-effective program whose graduates are sought after by area hospitals. I enjoyed my clinical experiences while at DelTech, which were at several different hospitals. In addition to hospitals, we were also able to observe in a mental health facility and an orthopedic office. It is great to be able to get a variety of learning experiences before graduating. The academic portion of the program is challenging, but it is clear that the instructors want us to succeed. I do feel like the program could be improved with some consistency between courses. It seems as if each instructor has his or her own way of teaching and it is difficult sometimes to adapt to the changes.” – Student at Delaware Technical Community College
Student Review: “The nursing program at Delaware Technical Community College does a fantastic job at preparing students for the work field. The nursing wing has just been renovated & has amazing new nursing labs with new mannequins. The staff is very approachable & seems to really want the students to do well. They explain things a few different ways to help students comprehend the material. It is very “hands on” and students get a lot of real-world experience (even during their CNA prerequisite before starting the official nursing program). My only real complaint about the program is the logistical side. Students sometimes have little notice in order to get things done or plan in advance. For example, it was a serious time crunch to get all screening and documentation done before final acceptance letters went out. Also, students sometimes can’t get specifics about clinical times & dates in advance. You must simply be available whenever. Aside from the logistical issues, the staff is excellent and very helpful.” – Student at Delaware Technical Community College
University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716
(302) 831-2792
https://www.udel.edu/
Student Review: “The program which I am pursuing has a great scope in the industry, and the reputation of the college and its faculty is an added advantage for being considered from job prospective. Highly advanced infrastructure and professors make the University standout when compared with the rest of the top universities in nursing.” – Student at University of Delaware
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
7. Delaware Board of Nursing, Nursing Program Pass Rates: https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/passrates/