The cost of nursing school includes more than just tuition, room and board, and textbooks. It’s important to factor in the costs of moving, furnishing a new dorm or apartment, general living expenses, and any additional school supplies you may need. The total cost of nursing school depends on what type of school you attend, as well as the length of the program.
Licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs
It typically takes 12- to 18-months to complete an LPN program and pass the certification exam. This nursing license can be earned at a career or vocational school, which will cost less than attending a traditional college or university.
AASN or associate’s degrees in nursing (ADN) typically take two years to complete. AASN and ADN programs both count as pre-licensure programs to become a registered nurse (RN). You can work toward your associate’s degree at a community college, which also makes this route less expensive than attending a traditional four-year college or university.
Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs
BSN programs typically take four years to complete. There are, however, exceptions made for people who already hold bachelor’s degrees in other fields: this enables students to transfer general education credits and sets them on a more accelerated track. Aspiring RNs can choose to pursue bachelor’s degrees at either public or private universities. Public schools are subsidized by the government, so they tend to be much less expensive than private schools. However, there are advantages to private schools such as smaller class sizes, more individual attention, and often being viewed as more prestigious or competitive.
As a general rule, the less time the program takes, the less expensive it will be over all. That said, it’s also important to remember that more time spent in school working toward advanced degrees generally correlates with higher salaries down the line. The program you choose ultimately determines which level of nurse you become. In Delaware, the high-end average salary for an LPN is $55,200; for an RN it is $81,540.
The following is a complete list of nursing schools in Delaware, ordered from the most expensive to least expensive.