Best Nursing Schools in Delaware in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

It may be one of the smallest states in the union, but if you’re a resident looking to find the best nursing schools in Delaware, you’ve probably got more options than you suspect. The services of motivated and qualified nurses are in high demand everywhere in the United States, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. In Delaware, there are approximately 15 nursing school programs worth mentioning. Here, we rank them according to their quality of being amenable to the needs of non-traditional students, the quality of the curriculum, and other considerations applicable to aspiring nurses.

Note: Unfortunately, the state education board of Delaware does not list NCLEX pass rates. So we will be unable to rank the following 15 schools with consideration to their NCLEX pass/fail rates.

The 15 Best Nursing Schools in Delaware in 2024

1. Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center | Lewes, DE

One of just two private, non-profit 2-year Delaware colleges, the Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center has an exceedingly low student to teacher ratio of 5 to 1. The campus is far from any significant residential area, but it is relatively prestigious, as it is tied to the state’s largest medical organization. Beebee Medical has many major hospitals in Delaware, making prospects for employment good for successful graduates.

• Program length and type: 2-year Private
• Admission requirements: Undergrad application fee, $30 / Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Admission test scores (SAT/ACT), TOEFL
• Tuition and Fees: $5,200 / $2,000
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. – May 6, 2013

2. Dawn Career Institute LLC | Wilmington, DE

As one of just seven for-profit career colleges in the state of Delaware, Dawn Career Institute LLC offers a unique educational service profile. This school serves an average of 108 students each academic year. The student to teacher ratio is a low 7 to 1. Located in the large metropolitan area of Wilmington, DCI serves the largest population center in the First State.

• Program length and type: < 2-year, Private for-profit
• Admission requirements: Undergrad application fee, $25 / Open
• Tuition and Fees: $3,100
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges -January 28, 1990

3. Delaware State University | Dover, DE

One of three public 4-year Delaware colleges, Delaware State University is located in Dover, the second-largest city center in the state. Dover, as it happens, is also home to one of the nation’s largest Air Force Bases. The Dover Air Force base is a major hub of operations, making the city a relatively cosmopolitan center of activity. DSU has strong pro-minority policies and serves a majority African American student body. DSU serves 4,350 students each academic year and has strong ties to the Dover Beebe medical center.

• Program length and type: 4-year, Public
• Admission requirements: Undergraduate application fee, $30 / Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Admission test scores (SAT/ACT), TOEFL
• Tuition and Fees: $7,868
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

4. Delaware Technical Community College – Owens | Georgetown, DE

Located in the lower portion of the state, Delaware Technical Community College is one of just two nursing schools in Delaware for aspiring nurses down at the isolated tip of the Delaware peninsula. It is one of the state’s smaller, for-profit two-year colleges. DTCC Owens offers LPN, ADN, and LPN to ADN nursing courses.

• Program length and type: 2-year / Public
• Admission requirements: Open
• Tuition and Fees: $4,904
• Accreditation: Not listed

5. Delaware Technical Community College – Stanton | Newark, DE

Located in the small, artisan and college town of Newark, Delaware Technical Community College – Stanton serves the needs of a diverse and cosmopolitan local population. It has the important benefit of being in one of the most topographically beautiful parts of the state and is nestled in a town that is extremely pedestrian and bicycle-friendly which is great for students. This school offers ADN, LPN, and LPN to ADN nursing courses.

• Program length and type: 2-year, Public
• Admission requirements: Open
• Tuition and Fees: $4,900
• Accreditation: N/A

6. Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | Dover, DE

Located in Dover, just a few blocks away from Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College-Terry has logistical and organizational connections not only to DSU but also to the Dover Beebe medical center. DTCC Terry is a small two-year school with a wide range of offerings including LPN, ADN, and LPN to ADN courses.

• Program length and type: 4-year, primarily associates, Public
• Admission requirements: Open
• Tuition and Fees: $4,904
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

7. University of Delaware | Newark, DE

A public university offering 135 undergrad degrees and 142 grad degrees, 28 certificate programs, and 67 Ph.D. programs, the University of Delaware spans seven colleges and more than 83 research facilities. With a high student to teacher ratio of 15 to 1, class sizes are still small. U of D offers ADN, BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, and Family Nurse Practitioner courses.

• Program length and type: 4-year Public
• Admission requirements: Test optional
• Tuition and Fees: $16,286
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

8. Wesley College | Dover, DE

Located in the charming old downtown area of Dover, DE, Wesley College is one of the state’s three nonprofit, four-year colleges. This school serves an average of 1,560 students each academic year according to the 2017 NCES report. WC offers an 11 to 1 student to teacher ratio. Nursing courses available include ADN, BSN, and RN to BSN.

• Program length and type: 4-year Private
• Admission requirements: Undergraduate application fee, $30 / Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Admission test
• Tuition and Fees: $23,823
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

9. Wilmington University | New Castle, DE

Among Delaware’s three private nonprofit colleges, Wilmington University serves 14,170 students each academic year. The school offers more than 130 online degree programs, making it an excellent choice for distance learning and non-traditional students. They offer BSN, MSN, and Family Nurse Practitioner courses.

• Program length and type: 4-year Private
• Admission requirements: Open admissions
• Tuition and Fees: $14,955
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

10. Delcastle Technical High School | Wilmington, DE

Not a college, rather a technical high school for minors, Delcastle Technical High School is still worth mentioning as a valuable resource for teens who can attend and who wish to go on to a career in nursing. DTHS offers an LPN program that gives its young students an unusual, advanced first deep dive into the world of professional nursing. Attending DTHS’ LPN program is a great way for young people to get off to a head start in this promising career track.

• Program length and type: Technical, trade school
• Admission requirements: N/A
• Tuition and Fees: Not listed
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

11. Delaware Skills Center | Wilmington, DE

Another non-college, the Delaware Skills Center finds itself on our list as it is a terrific way for aspiring nurses to approach the field through a vocational rather than an academic angle. It is also a good way for those with a lower than ideal GPA to get those scores up before attending a larger university. DSC offers an LPN program in addition to a host of other vocational courses.

• Program length and type: Technical, trade school
• Admission requirements: Open admissions
• Tuition and Fees: Not listed
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

12. Delaware Institute of Health Sciences | Wilmington, DE

Serving, DE, VA, MD, and PA, the Delaware Institute of Health Sciences offers a very high-quality LPN program that is focused on student success. Admissions are open and no student will be turned down, making it one of the best nursing schools in Delaware and a great way to move with certainty into your new career choice.

• Program length and type: Technical, trade school
• Admission requirements: Open admissions
• Tuition and Fees: Not listed
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

13. Camtech, Inc. | Newport, DE

Another technical school for nursing, Camtech, Inc. is founded on the principle that working people learn best in a working person-oriented learning environment.

• Program length and type: Technical, trade school
• Admission requirements: Open admissions
• Tuition and Fees: $10,955
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

14. Polytech Adult Education | Woodside, DE

This technical school is equipped with state of the art computer labs and has been in the business of providing education to working adults since 1964, making Polytech Adult Education one of the oldest vocational schools in the nation. They offer a competitively priced LPN program.

• Program length and type: Technical, trade school
• Admission requirements: Open admissions
• Tuition and Fees: Not listed
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

15. Leads School of Technology | New Castle, DE

A private nursing school in New Castle, Leads School of Technology offers a one-year-long LPN program. Fees are very competitive and admissions are open. LST offers an excellent opportunity for those looking to get into the nursing trade from a cold start.

• Program length and type: Technical, trade school
• Admission requirements: Open admissions
• Tuition and Fees: $14,955
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.

Methodology

These nursing schools in Delaware have been ranked in accordance with the quality of the nursing program, access to substantial practical medical learning experiences, and other considerations that are important to non-traditional students. Choosing a college that’s right for you, however, is always a very personal choice. Your learning style, transportation needs, and other personal considerations may make one school a better fit for you regardless of its position on our list.

To learn more, and get help finding out which nursing college best suits your particular needs, get in touch today.