Delaware has a small nursing school market, but that is exactly why the details matter.

There are only a handful of in-state RN prelicensure options. That makes it easier to compare programs side by side, but it also means students should pay close attention to Delaware Board of Nursing approval, 2025 NCLEX results, accreditation, campus location, clinical access, total cost, and BSN-completion options.

The latest Delaware Board of Nursing NCLEX school-year report checked for this update is dated January 22, 2026 and covers first-time candidates educated in Delaware for school year 2025. For RN programs, the report lists University of Delaware at 93.71%, Delaware State University at 90.91%, DTCC Terry at 91.4%, DTCC Stanton at 87.68%, DTCC Owens at 85.71%, and Beebe/Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at 88.89%.

How we selected these Delaware nursing schools

This guide does not copy third-party rankings. It uses public, verifiable signals that nursing applicants can check themselves.

We prioritized:

  1. Delaware Board of Nursing approval
  2. Latest Delaware Board NCLEX pass-rate data
  3. Programmatic nursing accreditation
  4. Degree pathway and flexibility
  5. Campus and clinical-market fit
  6. Cost and transfer options
  7. Long-term RN-to-BSN, MSN, or graduate-school mobility

Official sources to start with:

Delaware nursing schools at a glance

The Delaware Board’s approved nursing education list, updated March 2025, includes these RN prelicensure options:

ProgramLocationProgram type
University of DelawareNewarkBachelor of Science
Delaware State UniversityDoverBachelor of Science
Delaware Technical Community College - TerryDoverAssociate Degree
Delaware Technical Community College - StantonNewark/Wilmington areaAssociate Degree
Delaware Technical Community College - OwensGeorgetownAssociate Degree
Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe HealthcareLewesDiploma

The same approved-program list also includes practical nursing programs, but this article focuses mainly on RN pathways.

Latest Delaware NCLEX-RN results

The Delaware Board’s school-year 2025 report lists the following first-time NCLEX-RN results for candidates educated in Delaware.

ProgramTook examPassed examPass rate
University of Delaware15914993.71%
Delaware State University222090.91%
DTCC - Terry827591.4%
DTCC - Stanton13812187.68%
DTCC - Owens847285.71%
Beebe / Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing181688.89%

Source:

ADN vs BSN vs diploma nursing programs in Delaware

Delaware students have three main RN routes to compare.

ADN: Associate Degree in Nursing

Delaware Tech offers the state’s main ADN pathway through its Terry, Stanton, and Owens campuses.

Best for: Students who want a lower-cost and faster route to RN licensure, especially if they plan to complete a BSN later.

Watchout: ADN graduates may need a BSN for some hospital roles, nurse residency programs, leadership tracks, or graduate nursing goals.

BSN: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of Delaware and Delaware State University offer BSN pathways.

Best for: Students who want a traditional university experience, stronger long-term mobility, and a clearer path to hospitals, leadership, public health, military nursing, or graduate school.

Watchout: BSN programs usually take longer and may cost more upfront than ADN pathways.

Diploma nursing pathway

Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare offers a hospital-based diploma nursing pathway in Lewes.

Best for: Students who want a hospital-connected nursing education model with extensive clinical exposure.

Watchout: Diploma graduates should plan early for RN-to-BSN completion if they want broader long-term mobility.

Best BSN Programs in Delaware

1. University of Delaware School of Nursing

Location: Newark School type: Public university Program type: BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN-to-BSN, graduate nursing options Best for: Students who want Delaware’s flagship public university nursing pathway and the strongest recent in-state NCLEX signal

University of Delaware is the state’s flagship public university and one of the strongest nursing options in Delaware. Its School of Nursing offers prelicensure and graduate nursing education, including traditional BSN and accelerated BSN pathways.

UD’s nursing page states that its baccalaureate, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Official program links:

2025 NCLEX signal: The Delaware Board’s school-year 2025 report lists University of Delaware at 93.71%, with 149 of 159 first-time RN candidates passing.

Why students choose it

  • Flagship public university
  • Strong 2025 NCLEX result
  • CCNE-accredited nursing programs listed by UD
  • Traditional BSN and accelerated BSN options
  • Stronger long-term pathway into graduate nursing, leadership, and research-connected roles

Potential drawbacks

  • Competitive admission
  • Four-year BSN path may cost more than ADN first
  • Newark location may not fit students in southern Delaware
  • Accelerated BSN pace can be demanding

2. Delaware State University Department of Nursing

Location: Dover School type: Public HBCU Program type: BSN, RN-to-BSN, graduate options Best for: Students who want a mission-driven public HBCU nursing option in central Delaware

Delaware State University is an important BSN pipeline for central and southern Delaware. Its Department of Nursing sits within the Wesley College of Health & Behavioral Sciences and emphasizes diverse student preparation, professional identity, community involvement, and leadership.

DSU’s nursing BS page states that the baccalaureate nursing program at the Dover campus is approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN, with a most recent accreditation decision of continuing accreditation.

Official program links:

2025 NCLEX signal: The Delaware Board’s school-year 2025 report lists Delaware State University at 90.91%, with 20 of 22 first-time RN candidates passing.

Why students choose it

  • Public HBCU nursing pathway
  • Central Delaware location
  • ACEN accreditation noted on DSU’s official nursing page
  • Stronger 2025 NCLEX result than the prior year in the uploaded draft
  • Mission fit for students interested in equity, underserved communities, and public service

Potential drawbacks

  • Smaller 2025 NCLEX cohort than UD or Delaware Tech
  • Applicants should compare multi-year NCLEX trends
  • Program capacity and admission competitiveness should be confirmed directly

Best ADN Program in Delaware

Delaware Technical Community College Nursing

Campuses: Terry in Dover, Stanton in Newark/Wilmington area, Owens in Georgetown School type: Public community college Program type: Associate Degree in Nursing, plus PN and transition options at some campuses Best for: Students who want the most affordable RN route in Delaware with a clear BSN bridge plan

Delaware Technical Community College is the main ADN pipeline in Delaware. Its nursing page says ADN graduates are academically eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, and the program provides a foundation for continuing into higher education through baccalaureate and master’s nursing pathways.

Delaware Tech’s catalog notes that the associate degree nursing program is offered at Newark/Stanton, Dover/Terry, and Georgetown/Owens, and that the program can be completed in five semesters. It also notes advanced placement options for eligible LPNs and nationally certified paramedics.

Official program links:

Delaware Tech campus comparison

Campus2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rateTook / passedBest fit
Terry91.4%82 / 75Dover and central Delaware students
Stanton87.68%138 / 121New Castle County, Newark, and Wilmington-area students
Owens85.71%84 / 72Georgetown, Sussex County, and southern Delaware students

Why students choose it

  • Lower-cost public ADN route
  • Three campus locations
  • Strong workforce relevance
  • Five-semester ADN structure listed in the catalog
  • LPN and paramedic advanced-placement options listed in the catalog
  • RN-to-BSN and connected-degree pathways

Potential drawbacks

  • ADN graduates may still need BSN completion for some employers
  • NCLEX results vary by campus and year
  • Clinical and commute logistics differ by campus
  • Applicants should ask about retention, remediation, and transfer outcomes

Best hospital-based diploma option

Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare

Location: Lewes School type: Hospital-based school of nursing Program type: Diploma nursing program Best for: Students who want a hospital-connected nursing education model in southern Delaware

Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare is a diploma nursing program located in Lewes. Beebe describes it as a diploma nursing program with a long tradition of clinical education. Its accreditation page states that the school is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing.

Official program links:

2025 NCLEX signal: The Delaware Board’s school-year 2025 report lists Beebe at 88.89%, with 16 of 18 first-time RN candidates passing.

Why students choose it

  • Hospital-based nursing education
  • Strong clinical identity
  • ACEN accreditation and Board approval stated by Beebe
  • Lewes/Sussex County location
  • Good option for students interested in southern Delaware healthcare

Potential drawbacks

  • Smaller cohort size
  • Diploma graduates should plan BSN completion if aiming for broader hospital or graduate-school mobility
  • Fewer campus-life features than a traditional university
  • Applicants should compare total cost, transfer options, and BSN articulation carefully

Delaware nursing career outlook

Delaware’s nursing market is shaped by a few important advantages:

  • Compact geography
  • Access to large health systems
  • Proximity to Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Jersey, and Maryland
  • Nurse Licensure Compact participation
  • Strong clinical exposure through in-state hospitals and regional systems

ONET’s BLS-based wage page lists Delaware registered nurses at a $92,610 annual median wage and $44.53 hourly median wage, using 2024 wage data. The same page lists the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington metro at $99,210 annual median and $47.70 hourly median*.

Official source:

ONET’s Delaware employment trends page lists Delaware RN employment projected to grow from 11,720 in 2022 to 13,570 in 2032, with 870 projected annual openings*.

Official source:

Delaware’s Nurse Licensure Compact advantage

Delaware participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact.

The Delaware Board says a Delaware multistate license allows an RN or LPN to care for patients in other NLC states without obtaining licensure in those states. The Board also notes that a nurse practising in non-NLC states must hold a license in each non-NLC state, and that Delaware does not currently have multistate APRN licenses.

Official sources:

This matters in Delaware because nearby work markets often cross state lines. A Delaware-based nurse may consider jobs in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or other compact states depending on licensure rules and residence status.

Delaware clinical market: why location matters

Delaware’s nursing students may train or seek work around systems such as:

  • ChristianaCare
  • Bayhealth
  • Beebe Healthcare
  • Nemours Children’s Health
  • Long-term care and rehab facilities
  • Community health and outpatient clinics
  • Home health and hospice providers

Several Delaware systems also have Magnet recognition or redesignation history.

  • ChristianaCare announced a fourth consecutive Magnet designation in 2025.
  • Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware received Magnet redesignation in 2022.
  • Bayhealth announced its third Magnet redesignation in 2025.

Useful links:

How to choose the best Delaware nursing program for you

If you want the strongest university BSN route

Start with:

  • University of Delaware
  • Delaware State University

Compare:

  • Total cost
  • Campus fit
  • NCLEX trend
  • Accreditation
  • Clinical locations
  • Graduate-school options
  • Distance from home
  • Scholarship eligibility

If you want the lowest-cost RN route

Start with:

  • Delaware Tech Terry
  • Delaware Tech Stanton
  • Delaware Tech Owens

Then build a BSN plan through:

  • UD RN-to-BSN options
  • DSU connected-degree options
  • Other RN-to-BSN programs accepted by your employer

If you want a southern Delaware pathway

Compare:

  • Delaware Tech Owens
  • Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe
  • Delaware Tech Terry, if Dover is feasible
  • DSU, if a BSN in Dover fits your commute

If you already have a bachelor’s degree

Compare:

  • University of Delaware Accelerated BSN
  • Any eligible second-degree or accelerated pathways in nearby Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Virginia
  • ADN or diploma route plus BSN completion, if cost is the main concern

Delaware nursing school application checklist

Before applying, confirm:

  • Delaware Board approval
  • Programmatic nursing accreditation
  • Institutional accreditation
  • NCLEX pass rates for the last three years
  • Cohort size
  • Graduation or completion rate
  • Attrition rate
  • Total cost
  • Prerequisites
  • Entrance exam requirements
  • Clinical sites
  • Simulation resources
  • Student support and remediation
  • Transfer or RN-to-BSN agreements
  • Commute and parking
  • Ability to work during the program
  • Licensure eligibility

Questions to ask every Delaware nursing school

Approval and accreditation

  • Are you currently approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing?
  • Is the nursing program accredited by ACEN, CCNE, or another recognized nursing accreditor?
  • Is my exact campus and program included in that accreditation?
  • When is the next accreditation review?

NCLEX and student outcomes

  • What are your first-time NCLEX pass rates for the last three years?
  • How many students tested each year?
  • What is your graduation or completion rate?
  • What percentage of admitted students finish the nursing sequence?
  • What remediation is available for students who struggle?

Clinical placement

  • Which hospitals and clinical agencies do students use?
  • Are clinical placements arranged by the school?
  • How far might I travel?
  • Are weekend or evening clinicals required?
  • How much simulation is used?
  • What happens if a clinical site cancels?

Cost and transfer

  • What is the total estimated cost, including fees?
  • Are books, uniforms, testing packages, background checks, and supplies included?
  • Can credits transfer into a BSN program?
  • Do graduates commonly complete RN-to-BSN programs?
  • Are employer tuition benefits available after graduation?

Frequently asked questions about nursing schools in Delaware

What is the best nursing school in Delaware?

There is no single best school for every student. University of Delaware is the strongest public BSN option by recent NCLEX signal and long-term academic mobility. Delaware State University is a strong public HBCU BSN option. Delaware Tech is the main ADN value route. Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing is the main hospital-based diploma option.

Which Delaware nursing program had the highest 2025 NCLEX-RN pass rate?

In the Delaware Board’s school-year 2025 NCLEX report, University of Delaware had the highest listed RN pass rate at 93.71%. DTCC Terry followed at 91.4%, Delaware State at 90.91%, Beebe at 88.89%, DTCC Stanton at 87.68%, and DTCC Owens at 85.71%.

Is Delaware Tech a good nursing school?

Delaware Tech is an important ADN pipeline and can be a strong value option, especially for students planning RN-to-BSN completion. Compare the specific campus because NCLEX results vary by Terry, Stanton, and Owens.

Does Delaware have ADN programs?

Yes. Delaware Technical Community College offers associate degree nursing at Terry, Stanton, and Owens campuses.

Does Delaware have BSN programs?

Yes. University of Delaware and Delaware State University offer BSN pathways approved by the Delaware Board.

Does Delaware have a hospital-based nursing school?

Yes. Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Healthcare is a hospital-based diploma nursing program in Lewes.

Should I choose ADN or BSN in Delaware?

Choose ADN if cost and speed matter most and you have a clear BSN-completion plan. Choose BSN if you want broader long-term mobility for hospitals, leadership, graduate school, public health, or specialty pathways.

Is Delaware a Nurse Licensure Compact state?

Yes. Delaware participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Eligible nurses whose primary state of residence is Delaware may apply for multistate RN or LPN privileges.

How much do registered nurses make in Delaware?

O*NET’s BLS-based wage page lists Delaware registered nurses at a median annual wage of $92,610 and a median hourly wage of $44.53, using 2024 wage data.

Are Delaware nursing schools accredited?

Many Delaware RN programs list ACEN or CCNE accreditation, but you should verify the exact program and campus through official accreditor directories. UD lists CCNE accreditation for its baccalaureate and graduate programs. DSU’s BSN page lists ACEN accreditation. Rollins lists ACEN accreditation. Delaware Tech’s ADN accreditation should be verified by campus through ACEN and school materials.

How do I verify Delaware nursing school approval?

Use the Delaware Board of Nursing’s approved nursing education and refresher programs PDF, then confirm the school’s current accreditation in ACEN or CCNE directories.

Can I work in nearby states after graduating from a Delaware program?

After you become licensed, a Delaware multistate license can support practice in other compact states if Delaware is your primary state of residence and you meet NLC requirements. Non-compact states require separate licensure.

What should I ask before applying?

Ask about Board approval, accreditation, NCLEX pass rates for three years, cohort size, completion rate, clinical placements, total cost, transfer options, remediation, and whether local employers hire graduates.

Final thoughts

Delaware’s nursing school market is small, but the options are clear.

If you want the strongest university BSN route, start with University of Delaware and Delaware State University. If you want the most affordable path to RN licensure, compare Delaware Tech campuses and map your RN-to-BSN plan early. If you want a hospital-based program in southern Delaware, look closely at Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe.

The best Delaware nursing school is the one that helps you finish, pass NCLEX, become licensed, manage debt, and move toward the kind of nursing career you want.

Sources and references