Nursing Programs in Wilmington, DE

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Wilmington

Choosing the right nursing program is crucial for future success. Registerednursing.org is creating rankings of the Best Nursing Schools in Wilmington to help students make informed decisions. Our rankings focus exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the primary indicator of program quality, ensuring objective comparisons. For details on our methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Analysis of NCLEX pass rates in Wilmington shows notable year-over-year changes.

• 2024: Average pass rate 96.13% with 155 students
• 2023: Average pass rate 93.85% with 195 students
• 2022: Average pass rate 79.52% with 166 students

Yearly Nursing Graduates

The number of nursing graduates in Wilmington has fluctuated across recent years.

• 2024: 155 graduates
• 2023: 195 graduates
• 2022: 166 graduates

Top Performing Schools

Based on average pass rates across all available years, these Wilmington nursing schools demonstrate strong performance.

• University of Delaware: Average pass rate 89.92% with 516 total students over 3 years

Pass Rate by Program Size

Program size categories show how pass rates correlate with student cohort volume in Wilmington nursing programs.

• Large programs (>100 students/year): Average pass rate 96.13% with 155 students

Biggest Improvements

Several Wilmington nursing schools have shown significant pass rate increases between their earliest and latest data years.

• University of Delaware: Improved from 79.52% in 2024 to 96.13% in 2024, a 16.61 percentage point increase

#1

University of Delaware

Newark, DE - Public 4-Year - udel.edu

Bachelor's - Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Delaware's Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, ranked in the top 11% nationally, is a four-year campus-based program for freshmen. It requires ACT or SAT entrance exams and integrates rigorous academics with hands-on clinical training through the Center for Simulation Innovation, Interdisciplinary Education, and Entrepreneurship (CSIIDEE). The program includes service-learning, study abroad opportunities, and offers direct admission to the Master of Science in Nursing for graduates with a 3.0 GPA. NCLEX pass rates have shown strong improvement, rising from 79.52% in 2022 to 96.13% in 2024, indicating effective preparation for licensure.

• Top 11% nationwide ranking.
• Four-year campus program.
• Direct MSN admission for 3.0 GPA.
• Hands-on clinical experiences.
• Service-learning opportunities.
• Study abroad options.
• CSIIDEE enhances clinical skills.
• Rigorous academic curriculum.
• For aspiring freshmen nurses.
• Prepares healthcare leaders.

*Source: IPEDS 2024, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Wilmington, DE

Nursing has evolved over the past decade with RNs being entrusted and authorized to decide on and carry out treatments for patients. You too can enter or advance your career in nursing with an LPN to RN, ADN, or BSN degree. Colleges in Wilmington have made such entry-level programs accessible to those with and without a healthcare background.

LPN to RN Programs

LPNs commonly tend to patients with chronic illnesses such as the elderly but they also provide basic nursing care to patients in doctor’s offices and medical centers. However, Licensed Practical Nurses know they can’t make patient diagnoses or decide on treatments and must instead rely on instructions from RNs or APRNs. Delaware Technical and Community College outside of Wilmington, DE offers an accelerated LPN to RN track that lets dedicated LPNs earn their Associate Degree in Nursing in just over a year.

ADN Programs

If you think you have a mind for medicine and a heart for healing, the profession of nursing may be for you. Delaware Technical and Community College, located 20 minutes outside of Wilmington, offers an Associate Degree in Nursing that readies students to provide hands-on care to patients. As nurses interact with patients more than any other healthcare professionals including doctors, the ADN gives you the training and skills to effectively carry out your duties.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Nurses with critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills have more confidence in performing the ordinary and difficult parts of their jobs. Those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing have shown to produce fewer errors and provide overall higher quality of care for patients. The University of Delaware in Wilmington offers a traditional BSN program with a focus on nursing core components as well as specifics such as mental health, pediatrics, gerontology, and public health. Graduates are ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

Find out more about Delaware Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN Programs in Wilmington, DE

It’s been shown that patient outcomes improve when nurses hold BSNs. Recognizing the need for more nurses with bachelor’s degrees, colleges in and around Wilmington, DE are offering more working nurse-friendly RN to BSN bridge programs.

RN to BSN Programs

Staff nurses who lack a bachelor’s degree may, despite their years of experience, be overlooked for promotions or the best positions in preferred units. Hospitals and medical centers are pressured to staff up with nurses who hold BSNs. The University of Delaware in Newark has been a pioneer in distance learning since 1993 and offers a fully online RN to BSN program for nurses looking to advance their education.

Find out more about Delaware RN to BSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Wilmington, DE

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), particularly nurse practitioners, are performing tasks once limited to physicians such as administering medication and performing patient diagnoses. APRNs are also taking charge of nursing units and leading healthcare policy change to improve patient care. RNs in good standing in Wilmington, Delaware can achieve this APRN status by earning a master’s, post-grad cert or doctorate degree in less time than they may have thought.

MSN Programs

Advance Practice Nurses such as Nurse Practitioners are performing patient evaluations and assessments taking over many duties formerly limited to only doctors. If you are ready to take the next step in your nursing career, Wilmington University in Delaware has several practitioner-level MSN programs. Designed to be both flexible and affordable, the Family or Adult/Gerontology NP programs include a robust curriculum that puts graduates at the forefront of providing primary care for patients.

Find out more about Delaware Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Current Advanced Practice Nurses seeking to gain practitioner competencies can do so in less time by completing a post-grad certificate rather than earning an additional degree. Offered on a part-time basis in a blend of online and on-campus modalities, Neumann University, located about 25 minutes northeast of Wilmington outside of Delaware, offers an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care post-grad cert. The curriculum is concentrated on patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, and holistic treatments.

Find out more about Delaware Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Advanced Practice Nurses are influencing national and regional healthcare policy and having a broad impact on the quality of patient care. Those who pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice, the terminal practitioner degree in the field, have the potential to have the greatest impact on policy development. Though it isn’t a career path for everyone, the University of Delaware in Wilmington has a DNP program that focuses on population health, healthcare delivery, and healthcare system management among other far-reaching topics. The program has part- and full-time options.

Find out more about Delaware DNP Programs.