Delaware has three universities offering nurse practitioner programs across five NP specialties: family (FNP), psychiatric mental health (PMHNP), adult-gerontology acute care (AGACNP), adult-gerontology primary care (AGPCNP), and pediatric primary care (PNP-PC). Students can choose MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate pathways, including an RN-to-MSN route for associate-degree and diploma nurses. No Delaware school charges nonresidents a higher rate.
Jump to: FNP (3) PMHNP (3) AGACNP (1) AGPCNP (1) PNP-PC (1)
The University of Delaware (UD) offers all five specialties and is the only in-state option for adult-gerontology and pediatric programs. Delaware State University (DSU) and Wilmington University focus on FNP and PMHNP and compete on cost: DSU has the lowest-cost MSN, Wilmington the lowest-cost doctorate. Formats range from fully online to DNP tracks with campus days every semester.
Compare Delaware Nurse Practitioner Programs
| School | Specialties | Degrees | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delaware (UD) | FNP PMHNP AGACNP AGPCNP PNP-PC | MSN • DNP • Certificate | Mostly Online (PMHNP certificate Online) |
| Delaware State University (DSU) | FNP PMHNP | MSN • RN-to-MSN | Online |
| Wilmington University | FNP PMHNP | MSN (FNP only) • DNP • Certificate | Varies by specialty |
DSU requires no campus attendance for any NP track. Wilmington FNP practicum students attend two face-to-face seminars a year, while its PMHNP tracks name no campus visits. UD’s degree tracks include Newark intensives.
NP Programs by Specialty
Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
All three Delaware universities offer FNP preparation, making it the state’s most widely available specialty.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| DSU | Lowest-cost FNP MSN (about $25K with fees), with no campus attendance |
| UD | Only FNP program with a stated preceptor-placement model |
| Wilmington | Four FNP routes, including a certificate + DNP for MSN holders |
- Doctoral cost gap: Wilmington’s BSN-DNP ($49K–$57K) costs far less than UD’s (about $90K). DSU offers no DNP.
- Certificate access: Wilmington admits MSN or DNP holders; UD requires current NP or CNS certification.
- Clinical hours: Every FNP MSN requires 750–816 hours, so hours rarely decide the choice.
Compare all Delaware FNP programs →
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs
All three universities offer PMHNP preparation, but each serves a different starting point.
| School | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| DSU | Only PMHNP program open to RNs without a BSN |
| UD | Broadest PMHNP lineup: MSN, BSN-DNP, and an online post-master’s certificate |
| Wilmington | No PMHNP MSN; its certificate admits BSN-only nurses |
- Doctorates: Only UD (about $90K) and Wilmington ($52K) offer a PMHNP DNP.
- Wilmington’s structure: BSN nurses choose between a certificate and a doctorate rather than an MSN.
Compare all Delaware PMHNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Programs
UD is Delaware’s only AGACNP provider, with an MSN, BSN-to-DNP, MSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificate, all Mostly Online. Nurses without a BSN have no in-state AGACNP route.
Compare all Delaware AGACNP programs →
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP Programs
UD is Delaware’s only AGPCNP provider, with an MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificate. The MSN costs about $43K and carries 748 practicum hours, slightly fewer than the 816 hours in UD’s other NP master’s tracks. Nurses without a BSN have no in-state AGPCNP route.
Pediatric Primary Care NP Programs
UD is also Delaware’s only pediatric NP provider, offering a primary care MSN, BSN-to-DNP, and post-master’s certificate. No in-state program prepares pediatric acute care NPs, and there is no in-state RN-to-MSN or MSN-to-DNP PNP pathway.
Compare all Delaware PNP programs →
Which Delaware NP School Fits Your Goals?
Widest NP specialty selection: UD offers five specialties, including the state’s only adult-gerontology and pediatric programs. It is the only Delaware school where a nurse can compare primary care, psychiatric, acute care, and pediatric tracks in one place.
Best for ADN-prepared nurses: DSU’s RN-to-MSN admits diploma and associate-degree nurses and awards both a BSN and an MSN. No other in-state school offers an RN entry route.
Lowest-cost MSN: DSU’s FNP and PMHNP MSNs cost about $25K–$26K with fees, the lowest master’s price in the state.
Lowest-cost BSN-to-DNP: Wilmington’s FNP and PMHNP doctorates run about $49K–$57K, against $76K–$90K for UD’s BSN-to-DNP tracks.
Minimal campus travel: DSU requires no campus attendance for any NP track, though it does not accept students from 14 states.
Strongest documented placement support: UD works to secure each student’s initial preceptor through regional partners. Replacements are not guaranteed.
Delaware NP Programs by Entry Pathway
ADN or RN to NP Programs
DSU is the only Delaware school with RN entry. Its RN-to-MSN admits diploma and associate-degree nurses, who complete 27 undergraduate credits before joining the graduate sequence and earn a BSN and MSN. The fully online bridge leads to FNP or PMHNP and takes about four years.
No in-state RN-to-MSN exists for the adult-gerontology or pediatric specialties, and no in-state route for nurses with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree is documented.
BSN to MSN NP Programs
- UD: FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP-PC
- DSU: FNP, PMHNP
- Wilmington: FNP
BSN-prepared PMHNP applicants at Wilmington must choose its certificate or DNP instead of an MSN.
BSN to DNP NP Programs
- UD: FNP, PMHNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP-PC
- Wilmington: FNP, PMHNP
UD admits one DNP cohort each fall and requires one year of RN experience. DSU offers no DNP.
MSN to DNP Programs
- Same specialty: UD’s post-master’s DNP admits MSN-prepared nurses with national APRN certification.
- Adding a new population: At UD, certified NPs must dual-enroll in the DNP and the matching post-master’s certificate.
- NP preparation plus doctorate: Wilmington pairs its FNP certificate with a DNP for MSN holders who are not yet FNPs. Its PMHNP certificate-to-DNP bridge requires separate applications, with no guaranteed DNP seat.
Post-Graduate NP Certificates
UD offers certificates in all five specialties but limits them to nurses already certified as NPs or CNSs. Wilmington’s certificates are more open: its FNP certificate admits MSN or DNP holders, and its PMHNP certificate admits BSN holders directly. Both schools set final credits through a gap analysis, so cost depends on prior coursework.
What Do NP Programs Cost in Delaware?
All three schools charge one rate regardless of residency.
| School | Published Tuition Rate | Important Cost Context |
|---|---|---|
| DSU | $500 per credit | MSN only (FNP, PMHNP); fees billed per semester and course |
| UD | $913 master’s and certificate; $1,116 DNP | Five specialties; rate reflects a Dean’s Scholarship (standard rate $1,149) |
| Wilmington | $564; $749 DNP | FNP and PMHNP only |
The lowest per-credit school offers only an MSN, so compare equivalent pathways:
- MSN: DSU (about $25K–$26K) → Wilmington FNP ($32K) → UD ($38K–$44K, by specialty)
- BSN-to-DNP: Wilmington ($49K–$57K) → UD ($76K–$90K, by specialty)
- Certificate: Wilmington (from $16K FNP, $19K PMHNP) → UD (roughly $21K–$37K)
Specialty narrows these choices quickly. AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PNP-PC students have one price option: UD’s.
Online NP Programs in Delaware
No required campus attendance
- DSU — FNP and PMHNP MSN
- Wilmington — PMHNP certificate and DNP
- UD — PMHNP post-master’s certificate
Limited campus attendance
- UD — MSN and most certificates; occasional Newark intensives
Recurring campus attendance
- UD — BSN-to-DNP; up to 2–8 campus days per semester
- Wilmington — FNP; two face-to-face seminars a year during practicums
Format follows the program, not the school. At both UD and Wilmington, choosing PMHNP over another specialty removes most travel.
Clinical Placement and Practicum Requirements
| School | Placement Approach | Important Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| UD | University-assisted initial preceptor match | Replacements not guaranteed; out-of-state sites need faculty approval |
| DSU | Not clearly stated | Policy kept in an unposted handbook |
| Wilmington | Not clearly stated | No published placement model |
Every in-state master’s track requires 748–816 clinical hours. Ask DSU and Wilmington directly who finds preceptors before applying.
Choosing an NP Program in Delaware
- Start with specialty. AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PNP-PC students have one in-state option. FNP and PMHNP students can compare all three schools.
- Match your entry credential. ADN and diploma nurses have one in-state route: DSU. Certified NPs adding a specialty fit UD’s certificates; non-NP master’s holders fit Wilmington’s.
- Pick the degree before comparing price. DSU wins on MSN cost, Wilmington on doctoral cost. Neither comparison applies outside its pathway.
- Count campus days by specialty. The same school can be fully online for one specialty and require seminars for another.
- Ask who finds preceptors. Only UD publishes a placement model.
FAQ
How many nurse practitioner schools are in Delaware?
Three: the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Wilmington University.
Which NP specialties are available in Delaware?
FNP and PMHNP are offered at all three schools. AGACNP, AGPCNP, and PNP-PC are offered only at UD. No in-state pediatric acute care program was identified.
Can I become an NP in Delaware with an ADN?
Yes, through DSU’s RN-to-MSN, which leads to PMHNP or FNP preparation. It is the only in-state RN entry route.
Are there online NP programs in Delaware?
Yes. DSU’s NP tracks are fully online, as are Wilmington’s PMHNP tracks and UD’s PMHNP certificate. UD’s degree tracks and Wilmington’s FNP tracks include some campus attendance.
Which Delaware schools offer BSN-to-DNP programs?
UD offers BSN-to-DNP in all five specialties. Wilmington offers it in FNP and PMHNP.
What are the lowest-cost NP options in Delaware?
DSU’s MSN costs about $25K–$26K. Wilmington has the lowest-cost doctorate ($49K–$57K) and certificates (from $16K).
Do out-of-state students pay more?
No school charges a nonresident surcharge. DSU does not accept students from 14 states, and UD generally requires a Delaware or compact RN license.