Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Delaware State University

Delaware State's nursing program shows strong first-year earnings at $84,049—well above the national median of $74,888—but the numbers tell a puzzling story. While graduates start in the 82nd percentile nationally, they rank just 40th percentile among Delaware's four nursing programs. More concerning, earnings drop 12% by year four to $74,284, falling below both the state median ($85,252) and competing Delaware schools like Wilmington University ($86,703) and Delaware Technical Community College ($86,455).

The debt load of $29,861 is reasonable, translating to a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income. However, with earnings declining rather than growing, that ratio becomes less favorable over time. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, making it harder to trust the pattern. The salary drop might reflect graduates moving to different specialties or practice settings, but without more data, it's impossible to know.

For Delaware families, this program costs more than Delaware Tech while producing lower four-year outcomes. If your child can get into University of Delaware or secure a spot at Delaware Tech's competitive nursing program, those appear to offer better value. Delaware State's nursing degree isn't a bad choice—starting salaries are solid—but the downward earnings trajectory and middling performance against in-state alternatives suggest it's worth considering other Delaware options first.