Nursing schools in Delaware: programs, requirements, and NLC status

Delaware is a small state with a focused nursing education infrastructure – a few well-regarded institutions producing graduates who feed a healthcare market shaped by major health systems, proximity to Philadelphia and Baltimore, and one of the more favorable RN wage environments in the Mid-Atlantic region. The state’s nursing programs are anchored by the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical Community College’s statewide campuses, with the Beebe School of Nursing in Lewes running a smaller diploma program. Delaware is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), meaning Delaware-resident nurses who meet eligibility requirements hold a multi-state license valid across all compact states.

Program options run from ADN degrees through BSN and RN-to-BSN completion, with graduate options available for nurses pursuing advanced practice or leadership roles. Delaware’s proximity to the greater Philadelphia and Wilmington healthcare corridor gives graduates access to a large employment market.

NLC compact membership

Delaware is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact. Delaware enacted the enhanced NLC (eNLC) and implemented it on January 19, 2018, when the enhanced compact launched nationwide.

Under the NLC, nurses whose primary state of residence is Delaware and who meet the uniform licensure requirements – including a federal and state fingerprint-based criminal background check – receive a single multi-state license valid for practice in all current NLC member states. As of mid-2026, 40 states have implemented the compact.

Practical implications: compact licensure is particularly relevant for Delaware nurses given the state’s geography. Delaware borders Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey, and nurses frequently work across state lines in the greater Wilmington and Philadelphia healthcare market. Compact membership means a Delaware-resident RN can take per diem or travel assignments in Pennsylvania, Maryland, or any other compact state without filing separate licensing applications.

Note that Delaware has enacted the APRN Compact separately, but that compact is not yet operational: it takes effect only once seven states have enacted it, and that threshold has not been reached (NCSBN listed Delaware, North Dakota, Utah, and South Dakota as enacting states when South Dakota signed on in February 2024). Delaware therefore does not issue multi-state APRN licenses – APRNs practicing in Delaware must hold a Delaware-issued APRN license regardless of their compact state home license. Verify current NLC membership and eligibility requirements at nursecompact.com or the Delaware Board of Nursing’s Division of Professional Regulation. For a full guide to licensing rules, see nursing license by state.

Types of nursing programs available

Delaware’s nursing education system covers the core preparation levels, with particular strength at the ADN and BSN levels.

ADN programs (2 years post-prerequisites) Delaware Technical Community College operates ADN programs across three campuses – Dover, Georgetown, and Stanton – making it the primary entry-level RN pathway in the state. ADN graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and enter practice as registered nurses.

BSN programs (4 years) The University of Delaware and Delaware State University both offer four-year BSN programs. BSN graduates are preferred by major Delaware and regional health systems including ChristianaCare and Nemours Children’s Health.

Accelerated BSN (12–18 months) For candidates with a bachelor’s degree in another field, the University of Delaware has run a 17-month accelerated BSN that starts each winter session. UD’s current undergraduate program page lists only the traditional BSN, so confirm the next accelerated intake directly with the School of Nursing before planning around it.

RN-to-BSN bridge programs Online and hybrid RN-to-BSN completion programs serve Delaware’s ADN-prepared nursing workforce. Delaware Tech runs “connected degree” transfer agreements with both the University of Delaware and Delaware State University (RN-to-BSN, and RN-to-BSN-plus-MSN), and numerous national online programs also accept Delaware nurses.

Graduate programs The University of Delaware offers the MSN, post-graduate APRN certificates, the DNP, and a PhD in nursing science. Delaware State University offers a fully online MSN with global leadership and nursing education concentrations.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements follow standard national patterns for ADN and BSN programs, with variation across program levels.

Academic prerequisites: Most programs require Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with lab), Microbiology (with lab), General Chemistry or Biology, English Composition, Psychology, and Mathematics or Statistics. Science prerequisites must typically be completed within the past 5–7 years with a grade of C or higher.

GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA requirements generally run 2.5–3.0. The University of Delaware’s BSN program is competitive – admitted applicants often present science GPAs of 3.2 and above, given limited cohort sizes. Delaware Technical’s ADN programs have somewhat lower minimums but admit limited cohorts, so competition is high relative to available seats. If your GPA falls below typical thresholds, see our guide on nursing schools that accept lower GPAs.

Entrance exams: The ATI TEAS is widely required for Delaware nursing programs. Some programs also accept the HESI A2. Competitive scores for ADN programs typically fall at the 60th percentile and above; BSN programs may seek higher scores. See ATI TEAS vs. HESI A2 for a full comparison.

Healthcare experience: Many BSN programs recommend documented direct patient care experience – CNA work, EMT certification, or medical volunteering.

Background check and drug screening: Required by all programs and clinical placement sites. Contact the Delaware Board of Nursing for guidance on how prior criminal history affects licensure eligibility.

For a full prerequisites breakdown by program type, see nursing school prerequisites.

Top nursing programs in Delaware

University of Delaware School of Nursing – Newark The University of Delaware’s baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). UD runs the state’s largest BSN cohort and has a history of accelerated BSN intakes, plus graduate options through the DNP and PhD. Its NCLEX outcomes have improved sharply: Delaware Board of Nursing data show first-time pass rates of 79.52% in school year 2022, 96.13% in 2024, and 93.71% (149 of 159) in 2025. UD’s clinical partnerships include ChristianaCare, the state’s largest health system, Nemours Children’s Health, and facilities in the broader Wilmington and Philadelphia metro market. The school’s research integration and academic medical center access make it a strong option for students who anticipate pursuing graduate education.

Delaware State University Department of Nursing – Dover Delaware State University’s BSN program is ACEN-accredited and serves the state’s central and southern communities. The program offers a pathway to nursing practice for students in the Dover area and has consistently reported improving NCLEX pass rates. Its first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate rose from 76.12% in school year 2022 to 84.48% in 2024 and 90.91% in 2025, though the 2025 cohort was small (20 of 22 passed). DSU also offers RN-to-BSN completion and a fully online MSN. The program’s clinical placements include Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover and facilities across Kent and Sussex counties.

Delaware Technical Community College – Multiple Campuses Delaware Tech operates ADN programs at three campuses: Dover, Georgetown, and Stanton (near Wilmington). Each campus program is fully approved by the Delaware Board of Nursing and nationally accredited through ACEN. Delaware Tech’s ADN programs are the primary entry-level RN pipeline for the state and serve students who want an affordable, accessible path to RN licensure before potentially pursuing a BSN completion. In-state tuition is among the most affordable nursing education options in the state.

NCLEX pass rates and program quality

The Delaware Board of Nursing oversees RN and LPN licensure and publishes NCLEX pass rate data by program each school year (October 1 through September 30). In school year 2025, 451 of 503 first-time Delaware-educated RN candidates passed (89.66%), against a national figure of 86.7%. The year before, the state rate was 93.51% against 91.78% nationally.

The full year-by-year reports, back to 2007, are on the Delaware Board of Nursing’s pass rates page. Multi-year trends are more informative than a single year’s data; look for programs consistently above 85% over three or more consecutive years.

Nursing salary expectations in Delaware

Delaware RN salaries sit modestly above the national median, with the strongest figures in the Wilmington metro, which sits inside the broader Philadelphia healthcare labor market.

Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (SOC 29-1141, May 2025) places Delaware’s median annual RN wage at $99,520, about $1,970 above the national RN median of $97,550 – roughly 2% higher. State earnings span a wide range, from $78,340 at the 10th percentile to $123,860 at the 90th. Delaware’s position adjacent to the Philadelphia metro – one of the largest healthcare employment markets on the East Coast – gives nurses flexibility to work across state lines under compact licensure, which can expand both employment options and earnings potential.

For a full cost-benefit analysis of nursing education investment, see is nursing school worth the debt?.

Finding the right program

Delaware’s limited program inventory simplifies the decision, but institutional fit and program outcomes remain important.

Accreditation: Every prelicensure RN program named above holds national accreditation – CCNE for the University of Delaware, ACEN for Delaware State University and Delaware Tech. Accreditation from either body meets national standards and supports graduate school eligibility.

NCLEX pass rates: The University of Delaware’s climb from 79.52% (2022) to the mid-90s is notable. Delaware Tech’s campuses vary year to year – Owens went from 70.87% in 2022 to 90.36% in 2024 and 85.71% in 2025 – so check the board’s reports for each campus rather than the college as a whole.

Clinical placement geography: Delaware’s compact geography and proximity to Pennsylvania and Maryland means clinical placements may occur outside the state. Consider whether a program’s clinical network includes the settings most relevant to your target specialty.

Cost: Delaware Technical’s in-state ADN tuition is substantially below the University of Delaware’s BSN cost. If your goal is to become an RN as efficiently as possible and pursue a BSN bridge later, the ADN-to-BSN pathway can be more cost-effective. See is nursing school worth the debt? for a full breakdown of return-on-investment by program type.

Regional employment market: Delaware’s position between Philadelphia and Baltimore gives graduates flexibility that nurses in more isolated markets don’t have. ChristianaCare – the state’s dominant health system and one of the larger health systems in the mid-Atlantic – is a major employer for UD and Delaware Tech graduates. Nemours Children’s Health provides pediatric specialization opportunities. Bayhealth serves central and southern Delaware. Nurses with compact licensure can also pursue positions at Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, or Sinai Hospital across state lines without additional licensing steps, which meaningfully expands career mobility.

Frequently asked questions

Is Delaware a compact nursing state? Yes. Delaware is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact. The state implemented the enhanced NLC (eNLC) on January 19, 2018. A Delaware RN license issued to a Delaware resident serves as a multi-state license, valid for practice in all current NLC member states. This is particularly useful given Delaware’s proximity to Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. Verify current compact status at nursecompact.com.

How long does nursing school take in Delaware? ADN programs at Delaware Technical Community College take approximately two years of full-time clinical coursework after prerequisites are completed. The BSN at the University of Delaware or Delaware State University is four years. Accelerated BSN programs run 12–18 months of intensive full-time study. RN-to-BSN bridge programs for working RNs typically take 12–24 months in an online or hybrid format.

What GPA do I need for nursing school in Delaware? Most Delaware nursing programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5–3.0. The University of Delaware’s BSN program is competitive – admitted applicants often present science GPAs above 3.2, given limited cohort sizes. Delaware Technical’s ADN programs may have lower minimums but admit small cohorts, making them competitive relative to available seats. See nursing school GPA requirements for a full breakdown.

How much do RNs make in Delaware? BLS OEWS May 2025 data places Delaware’s median annual RN wage at $99,520, about 2% above the national RN median of $97,550. Northern Delaware, with its proximity to Wilmington and the greater Philadelphia market, tends toward the upper end of the state range. Compact licensure allows Delaware-resident nurses to take assignments in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and other compact states without additional licensing applications. For the full cost-benefit picture, see is nursing school worth the debt?.

References

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), May 2025.” Delaware median annual wage $99,520; national median $97,550 (national mean $101,420). https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm
2. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). “Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC): Member states and implementation dates.” 40 states implemented as of mid-2026. https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-licensure-compact.htm
3. Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Board of Nursing. “Licensure requirements and compact eligibility.” https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/
4. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). “Search accredited nursing programs.” https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/
5. University of Delaware School of Nursing. “Traditional BSN” (CCNE accreditation statement). https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/chs/departments/son/undergraduate-programs/traditional-bsn/
6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses.” National employment and wage outlook. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
7. Delaware Board of Nursing. “Annual Statistics NCLEX – School Year 2025” (10/1/2024–9/30/2025), plus school years 2022 and 2024. https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/nursing/passrates/
8. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). “South Dakota Enacts APRN Compact” (February 2024). https://www.ncsbn.org/news/south-dakota-enacts-aprn-compact