Delaware is small, but it has four very different routes to a bachelor’s degree in nursing, from the state’s flagship university to a community college. This guide ranks all four using official federal data and reviews each one.
Imagine choosing between a big research university in Newark, a historically Black university in Dover and a flexible programme designed for working adults. In a state this size, every option is within driving distance, so the real question is which one fits you.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Delaware that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Delaware nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Delaware | Newark | Public | 79% | 154 | $88,340 | $17,660 |
| 2 | Delaware State University | Dover | Public | 41% | 42 | $85,287 | $11,214 |
| 3 | Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | Dover | Public | 24% | 140 | $94,695 | $5,445 |
| 4 | Wilmington University | New Castle | Private nonprofit | 22% | 119 | $99,319 | $12,930 |
Top Delaware nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware School of Nursing is part of the state’s flagship public university in Newark, with the highest graduation rate on our Delaware list.
- Graduation rate: 79%, number 1 in Delaware on our list
- Programme size: about 154 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $88,340 one year after graduating
- Cost: $17,660 in-state tuition ($43,220 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 71%
2. Delaware State University
Delaware State is a historically Black university (HBCU) in Dover, the state capital, with a smaller nursing programme and moderate public tuition.
- Graduation rate: 41%, number 2 in Delaware on our list
- Programme size: about 42 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $85,287 one year after graduating
- Cost: $11,214 in-state tuition ($21,204 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 47% (selective)
3. Delaware Technical Community College-Terry
Delaware Tech is the state’s community college system. It offers one of the most affordable routes to a nursing degree in Delaware, and its graduation rate reflects many part-time and returning students.
- Graduation rate: 24%, number 3 in Delaware on our list
- Programme size: about 140 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $94,695 one year after graduating
- Cost: $5,445 in-state tuition ($12,308 out of state)
4. Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private university popular with working adults. Many of its nursing graduates are registered nurses completing a bachelor’s degree while they work, which helps explain the high early earnings.
- Graduation rate: 22%, number 4 in Delaware on our list
- Programme size: about 119 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $99,319 one year after graduating
- Cost: $12,930 tuition a year before financial aid
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Delaware Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved programme. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Delaware Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Delaware Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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