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9th Annual Delaware RN Program Rankings by RNCareers.org

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Delaware and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 3 ADN degree programs and 5 BSN degree programs in Delaware. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Delaware to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

RN Programs in Delaware

Best ADN Programs in Delaware

#1 Associate Degree in Nursing

Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton/Wilmington

91.02% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 333 N. Shipley Street, , DE - 19801
  • 3025715300
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.02%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, RN to BSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty:
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
  • Book and Supplies: N/A
  • Percent Received Aid: N/A
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: N/A
  • Percent Admitted: N/A
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: N/A

The Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington encourages and supports diversity by providing educational opportunities that facilitate growth and promote educational advancement. 

Not just academic, the campus also provides degree, career-oriented programs, as well as developmental and community service activities so that the students learn to be well-functioning adults while still excelling at the discipline they are studying. The students live and learn in an intimate community-like environment that strengthens their friendships and bonds and allow them to receive individualized care and instructions from the Delaware Technical Community College instructors.

The college prepares students to be the best care providers they can be while also teaching them how to make positive impacts on patients' lives. The nurses graduating from here have gone on to become highly-skilled care providers and leaders. Since the college itself does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, the graduates also live with similar principles and practice on the same even when they are working in the area of their choice. 

Their college is also a “Connected Degree” program, meaning that the student makes an early decision to transfer to either Delaware State University or Wilmington University to pursue their BSN degree after obtaining their ADN degree.

Undergraduate Programs - The Associate Degree Nursing prepares students in every form needed to pass the NCLEX-RN and helps them work as Registered Nurses in any kind of healthcare facility. They learn to integrate sound nursing judgment, incorporate theoretical knowledge, clinical reasoning skills, and informatics to provide quality healthcare to the community members.

The RN to BSN program is perfect for the RNs looking to expand their horizon and further strengthen their knowledge and skill set. The program is also available online so that working RNs can coordinate the classes with their schedules.

 

 

#2 Associate Degree in Nursing

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

Delaware Technical Community College - Terry

90.68% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE - 19901
  • (302) 857-1000
Nurse Admin: Kelly Davis, EdD, MSN, RN
Title: Instructional Director, RN to BSN Program
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 90.68%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, RN to BSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 396
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,945
  • Book and Supplies: $1,600
  • Percent Received Aid: 88%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,588
  • Percent Admitted: N/A
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: 1,825%

Pursuing a nursing degree at Delaware Technical Community College is affordable, accessible, and the smart thing to do. Being one of the top colleges in the state, this college has a long history of giving to the community highly skilled nurses who are well equipped to handle any kind of situation in all kinds of healthcare facilities. 

Alumni of Delaware Technical Community College have gone on to perform excellently at acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, physician offices, private clinics, hospice, public health, schools, and many other areas. The students are taught communication skills, problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, academic research skills, patient care and management, and respect for the patient's individuality. Thus, if you want to be a part of an institution that doesn't just aim to fill the gaps in nursing resources but works to instill the values of compassionate and scientific healthcare in each nurse that it produces, then Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Campus is your best bet.

To ensure that no student gets left behind due to financial issues, the college has a Student Excellence Equals Degree Scholarship (SEED) program wherein students do not have to worry about tuition fees standing in the way of their degree. 

They offer a traditional ADN program and an LPN to ADN program.  Their college is also a "Connected Degree" program, meaning that the student makes an early decision to transfer to either Delaware State University or Wilmington University to pursue their BSN degree after obtaining their ADN degree.

Undergraduate Programs - The college offers an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program that teaches necessary knowledge and skills that are required to make a positive difference in the global healthcare scenario. The degree integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills and academic research. 

Similarly, the RN to BSN program builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills that nurses already have. The course emphasizes evidence-based practice with expanded roles encompassing advocacy, leadership, and scholarship.

 

#3 Associate Degree in Nursing

Delaware Technical Community College-Owens

86.59% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • Route 18, Seashore Highway PO Box 610, , DE - 19947
  • 3028565400
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 86.59%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate

University Information

  • Total Faculty:
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
  • Book and Supplies: N/A
  • Percent Received Aid: N/A
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: N/A
  • Percent Admitted: N/A
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: N/A

The Delaware Technical Community College - Owens Campus is an above-average public campus ranking among the top ones in the state when it comes to its nursing program. The campus features a small class size and a family-like environment. The community is positive and nurturing with a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any kind of discrimination and violence. 

The nursing department at this college represents the campus's core values, which are commitment, responsiveness, and vision. They also gladly welcome and accept international students who pass the selection criteria to their nursing program as well as other programs.

Initially established to educate nurses to serve the Delaware community, the campus now graduates students who are able to work at any healthcare facility, big or small, at any level, national or global. The nursing students learn top-notch skills taught by some of the best instructors in the state, and they practice their clinical skills at a variety of healthcare facilities before graduating and working as registered nurses. 

Undergraduate Programs - The Owens Campus offers one of the state's best Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) programs. Graduates of this program gain the necessary skills and expertise to pass the NCLEX-RN and practice as skilled and competent RNs.

Best BSN Programs in Delaware

#1 Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of Delaware

School of Nursing

80.63% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 104 Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE - 19716
  • (302) 831-2000
Nurse Admin: Elizabeth Speakman, EdD, RN, FNAP, ANEF, FAAN
Title: Senior Associate Dean
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (B) 80.63%
  • Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to BSN, RN to MSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 1263
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $15,020
  • Book and Supplies: $1,000
  • Percent Received Aid: 89%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $11,188
  • Percent Admitted: 66%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 19%
  • Graduation Rate: 82%

#2 Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

Delaware Technical Community College - Terry

70.97% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 100 Campus Drive, Dover, DE - 19901
  • (302) 857-1000
Nurse Admin: Kelly Davis, EdD, MSN, RN
Title: Instructional Director, RN to BSN Program
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 70.97%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, RN to BSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 396
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,945
  • Book and Supplies: $1,600
  • Percent Received Aid: 88%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $3,588
  • Percent Admitted: N/A
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: 1,825%

#3 Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton/Wilmington

70.79% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 333 N. Shipley Street, , DE - 19801
  • 3025715300
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (C) 70.79%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, RN to BSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty:
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
  • Book and Supplies: N/A
  • Percent Received Aid: N/A
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: N/A
  • Percent Admitted: N/A
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: N/A

#4 Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Delaware State University

Delaware State University

66.36% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE - 19901
  • (302) 857-6060
Nurse Admin: Agnes Richardson, DSL, MSN, RN
Title: Chairperson of the Department of Nursing
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (D) 66.36%
  • Programs: Nursing Administration, Registered Nursing, Research or Clinical Nursing
  • Award Levels: Bachelor

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 254
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,358
  • Book and Supplies: $2,000
  • Percent Received Aid: 97%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $10,120
  • Percent Admitted: 39%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 22%
  • Graduation Rate: 48%

About RN Programs in Delaware

  • There are 7 nursing schools in Delaware. The CCNE accredits 2 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 5 schools in Delaware.
  • Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
  • The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in Delaware is between 80.51% and 90.68%.
  • The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in Delaware is between 76.58% and 89.32%.
  • The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
  • Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Delaware can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.

The Future of Nursing Campaign selected the Delaware Nurses Association as an Action Coalition for action. This is a campaign that encourages nurses to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. It is because of this that many nursing schools in Delaware have added a wide variety of accredited RN and BSN programs in both online and on-campus schools. Obtaining a BSN degree is very beneficial and can help nurses become more eligible for positions with greater professional responsibility. With a BSN degree, nurses are also able to expand their knowledge with experience gained while working in the field.

A nurse compact state is one that allows nurses holding a nurse compact license (NLC) to work in multiple states without having to obtain different nursing licenses for each state. This license eliminates the need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and go through the licensure procedure of every state.

However, the NLC was replaced by the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which is only available for RNs and LPNs. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are required to hold an individual state license in each state where they wish to practice. 

The state of Delaware is a Nursing Compact State which means that Registered Nurses and LPNs who hold the eNLC can practice in any of the NLC states in the country.

Delaware RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Compare RN Programs ADN BSN
Number of Nursing Programs 3 5
Average NCLEX Passing Rate 86.57% 84.64%
NCLEX Passing Rate Range 80.51% to 90.68% 76.58% to 89.32%

Nursing Programs Offered by Delaware Nursing Schools

  • Registered Nursing: 6
  • Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
  • Family Nurse Practitioner: 1
  • Nurse Educator: 1
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 1
  • Research or Clinical Nursing: 1
  • Nursing Administration: 0

Delaware Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types

Become a Nurse Practitioner in Delaware

Research the best Delaware NP programs, and find comprehensive guides to the following NP careers:

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Practice Authority in Delaware

As per the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners in Delaware have Full Practice Authority.

A Full Practice Authority allows NPS to evaluate patients, diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests; initiate and manage treatments which include prescribing medications and controlled substances, under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.

All NPS must have an RN license, a graduate degree, and a National Certification to get this authorization from the Board of Nursing.

Become an APRN in Delaware

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

RN Licensing Requirements in Delaware

RN Licensing Requirements in Wyoming

Comprehensive guide to Delaware Nursing License Requirements Renewals RN and APRN.

More of the Best RN Programs in Delaware

Grade
University
Delaware Rank
Degree
81.63 Delaware State University 4 BSN
76.58 Wesley College 5 BSN

Compare Nursing Salaries in Wyoming

How much do nurses earn in Delaware?

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