Nursing Schools in Delaware (2026)
9 accredited nursing programs found
Delaware has 9 nursing-relevant schools in this directory, with 4 public and 5 private institutions. Average in-state tuition is $11,426, with public schools averaging $10,453 and private schools averaging $12,885 — an unusually narrow public/private gap. The 25th-to-75th-percentile tuition band runs from $10,314 to $13,440. The cheapest tracked program is Delaware Technical Community College-Terry at $4,965 per year, and the largest by undergraduate enrollment is the University of Delaware at approximately 18,812.
Across Delaware programs the average graduation rate is 55.4 percent and the average retention rate is 78.0 percent — among the higher state averages in this directory. Median post-graduation earnings average $51,576 and median federal debt at graduation averages $15,976. The state's healthcare employer base is dominated by ChristianaCare and Bayhealth, complemented by proximity to Philadelphia-area academic medical centers for credentialed nurses willing to commute.
Registered Nurse Market in Delaware
BLS wage and employment data for registered nurses
Registered Nurse Salary in Delaware
Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Matches the Delaware average of $11,426.
Matches the Delaware average of 55.4%.
Matches the Delaware median of $51,576.
Tuition Overview
| Avg Public Tuition | $10,453 |
| Lowest Tuition | $4,965 |
| Highest Tuition | $16,080 |
| Avg Private Tuition | $12,885 |
Student Outcomes
| Avg Graduation Rate | 55.3% |
| Avg Earnings After Grad | $51,432 |
| Avg Student Debt | $15,976 |
| Total Enrollment | 44,757 |
All Nursing Schools in Delaware
| Institution | City | Type | Tuition (In-State) | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delaware | Newark | Public | $16,080 | 18,812 |
| Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | Dover | Public | $4,965 | 11,012 |
| Wilmington University | New Castle | Private | $12,330 | 8,497 |
| Delaware State University | Dover | Public | $10,314 | 4,630 |
| Goldey-Beacom College | Wilmington | Private | $13,440 | 634 |
| Polytech Adult Education | Woodside | Public | N/A | 631 |
| Dawn Career Institute LLC | Newark | For-Profit | N/A | 385 |
| Academy of Massage and Bodywork | Bear | For-Profit | N/A | 113 |
| Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center | Lewes | Private | N/A | 43 |
Nursing Guides & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Delaware Nursing Market Context
BLS data for Delaware shows an RN median annual wage of $79,150 and a mean of $80,570. The 10th to 90th percentile range runs from $59,990 to $102,500. Statewide RN employment is approximately 10,810 and the projected growth rate is 6 percent — in line with the national figure.
Median program debt of $15,976 against a $79,150 RN median wage produces a comfortable payback profile. The 90th-percentile figure of $102,500 reflects what experienced Delaware RNs can reach, and proximity to higher-wage Pennsylvania and Maryland markets provides additional career-mobility options. The state has no sales tax and a moderate income-tax burden; cost of living is broadly in line with the national average outside the Wilmington metro, where rates are somewhat higher.