Delaware has no in-state LPN-to-RN bridge program actively enrolling students, a gap that forces the state's roughly 1,800 licensed practical nurses , many of whom start through the Best LPN Programs in Delaware , to look beyond its borders for advancement. The good news: accredited online programs from other states accept Delaware applicants and consistently post NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates above 85 percent.
The programs ranked here are ordered by NCLEX-RN pass rate, with completion rate and accreditation status serving as tiebreakers. Cost comparisons, Delaware-specific licensure steps, and salary ROI round out the picture. For LPNs weighing ADN versus BSN pathways, the credential choice matters as much as the school.
Why Delaware LPNs Must Look Online for Bridge Programs
Delaware currently has no dedicated, actively enrolling in-state LPN to RN Bridge Programs, and that reality shapes the entire strategy for LPNs in the First State who want to advance.
The Del Tech Question, Answered Directly
Delaware Technical Community College does not run a separately named LPN-to-RN bridge. Instead, its Associate Degree in Nursing offers advanced placement to LPNs with current, active, unencumbered licensure (and to NREMT-P paramedics) who apply, submit proof of credentials, and are accepted into the standard ADN track at the Dover, Georgetown, or Stanton campuses. Accepted students receive 13 credits toward the program's foundational nursing course, but Del Tech's own handbook describes nursing admission as competitive and oversubscribed, without publishing a fixed acceptance rate, GPA cutoff, or a confirmed 2026 start date for this pathway. In plain terms: meeting the minimum requirements gets you in the applicant pool, not automatically into a seat.
Why Online Fills the Gap
Given that uncertainty, online LPN to RN and LPN to BSN programs have become the practical route for most working Delaware LPNs. These programs are built around licensed nurses who are already employed: coursework runs asynchronously or on evenings and weekends, and clinical hours are arranged through partnerships with hospitals and facilities near the student, often in or close to Delaware. Many are specifically structured to accept out-of-state applicants, something a single campus-based program cannot always guarantee.
Licensure Still Travels
Delaware has belonged to the Nurse Licensure Compact since 2020, so once you earn your RN, a multistate license covers practice in most other compact states without separate applications, a real advantage if your bridge program is based elsewhere.
Every program featured in the ranking below is regionally accredited and confirmed to accept Delaware residents, so you can compare these Accredited LPN and RN Programs with confidence rather than guesswork.
Top Online LPN to RN/BSN Programs for Delaware Students by NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Delaware has no in-state LPN to RN or LPN to BSN bridge, so practical nurses here generally choose among programs built for distance learners nationwide. Every school below accepts Delaware students and structures its clinical requirements with remote students in mind. Each entry lists tuition, degree level, and what the program reports about its own licensure outcomes.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates, weighted heaviest
- Nursing program completion and retention
- Accreditation status of each nursing program
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Tuition and net price after aid
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Southwest Mississippi Community College
Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit, Mississippi, offers an ACEN-accredited LPN to RN Transition track that awards an Associate of Applied Science. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,080 a year, out-of-state about $6,780, and the college reports an overall graduation rate of roughly 56%. Admission asks for an ACT composite of 18, a 2.5 prerequisite GPA, and documented LPN work experience, with fall and spring start dates.
- ACEN accredited, awards an Associate of Applied Science in nursing
- Six-credit transition course opens the sequence for licensed practical nurses
- Admission requires ACT 18, 2.5 GPA, and LPN work experience
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring, full-time enrollment
- Program materials report 100% licensure pass and job placement rates
- Prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN; financial aid and scholarships available
LPN to RN Transition, Associates — On-Campus
Green River College
Green River College in Auburn, Washington, runs a 90-credit LPN to BSN bridge with full-time and part-time tracks and a selective cohort of about 32 students. In-state tuition and fees are about $4,711 a year and out-of-state about $5,263, and the college reports an overall graduation rate near 39%. Program materials put total program tuition around $28,000 and note a high-fidelity simulation lab used for supervised practice.
- 90-credit bridge for licensed practical nurses, full-time or part-time
- Program materials list about $28,000 in total program tuition
- High-fidelity simulation lab with manikins for supervised practice
- Selective admission, cohort of about 32, fall and winter starts
- Prerequisites earned outside Washington colleges need transcript evaluation
- Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN; military benefits accepted
LPN to BSN Program, Associates — On-Campus
Moraine Park Technical College
Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, offers two routes for licensed practical nurses: an LPN to ADN Bridge Track and an LPN to ADN Progression Track, both awarding an associate degree. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,819 a year, out-of-state about $7,084, and the college reports an overall graduation rate of roughly 58%. Both tracks expect recent LPN work experience, and the bridge track specifically requires an unencumbered Wisconsin license.
- 68-credit associate degree with about $12,152 total program tuition
- Requires an unencumbered Wisconsin LPN license and 1,000 hours of work
- Coursework in developmental psychology, nursing management, complex care
- Clinical evaluations serve as the program exit assessment
- Credit for prior learning available; offered at three Wisconsin campuses
- Program materials list ACEN and Wisconsin Board of Nursing accreditation
- Priced at $157 per credit across 67 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options with credit for prior learning accepted
- Local salary range listed at $71,236 entry to $79,729 experienced
- Prerequisite courses and prior work experience required for admission
- Program offered at three campuses with transfer to four-year colleges
Nursing - LPN to ADN Bridge Track — On-Campus
LPN to ADN Progression Track — On-Campus
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton offers a 12-month LPN to RN bridge leading to an associate degree, with classes held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and clinicals on Fridays. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,648 a year and out-of-state about $4,728, and the college reports an overall graduation rate near 41%. Arkansas is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, which matters to Delaware nurses weighing where to earn an RN license they can later use at home.
- 12-month bridge leading to an associate degree in nursing
- Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, clinicals in person on Fridays
- Requires a current Arkansas LPN license and a NACE pre-entrance exam
- 2.5 GPA minimum with anatomy, microbiology, and psychology prerequisites
- One spring start per year; applications open March 1 to October 1
- Cohort-based structure with a background check on admission
Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse Bridge Program, Associates — On-Campus
Washington State Community College
Washington State Community College in Marietta, Ohio, offers an associate-degree nursing bridge for LPNs that pairs classroom theory with clinical practice in acute and long-term care. In-state tuition and fees are about $4,128 a year, out-of-state about $4,152, and the college reports an overall graduation rate near 32%. The next application window runs January 1 to March 12, 2026, and TEAS testing is part of admission.
- Associate degree bridge for licensed practical nurses and current PN students
- Application window runs January 1 to March 12, 2026
- TEAS test required for admission
- Partnerships with local hospitals such as Marietta Memorial
- Financial aid available; graduates eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure
Associate Degree Nursing Bridge for LPNs — On-Campus
Arkansas State University-Beebe
Arkansas State University-Beebe's LPN and paramedic to RN bridge is a fast-track associate degree that combines 34 prerequisite credits with 30 nursing core credits. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,336 a year and out-of-state about $5,232, and the college reports an overall graduation rate near 42%. The program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, and Arkansas's place in the Nurse Licensure Compact gives Delaware nurses a portable license path.
- Fast-track associate degree for LPNs and paramedics moving to RN
- 34 prerequisite credits plus 30 nursing core credits
- Hands-on training at the Searcy campus
- Approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing
- Acceptance based on an unencumbered Arkansas or mutual state license
- Arkansas Future Grant and other financial aid options available
LPN/Paramedic to RN, Associates — On-Campus
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women in Columbus offers an ASN advanced placement option that lets licensed practical nurses finish an associate degree in three semesters with credit for prior LPN coursework. Tuition and fees are about $8,392 a year for both in-state and out-of-state students, and the university reports an overall graduation rate near 47%. A three-week preceptorship closes out the program, and more than 1,600 graduates are working as registered nurses nationwide.
- Three-semester advanced placement option for licensed practical nurses
- Credit awarded for prior LPN coursework shortens the sequence
- Three-week preceptorship plus pharmacology and nursing transition courses
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Mississippi board
- Requires documented LPN work experience and prerequisite courses
- More than 1,600 graduates now working as registered nurses
ASN Advanced Placement Option LPN-to-RN — On-Campus
College of the Albemarle
College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, offers an ACEN-accredited LPN to ADN option with classroom instruction and clinical rotations at area facilities. In-state tuition and fees are about $2,242 a year, out-of-state about $7,652, and the college reports an overall graduation rate near 35%. Students can work toward a bachelor's degree at the same time through concurrent BSN enrollment with Old Dominion University or an agreement with East Carolina University.
- ACEN-accredited LPN to ADN option for licensed practical nurses
- Concurrent BSN enrollment available with Old Dominion University
- RIBN agreement with East Carolina University for a bachelor's path
- TEAS entrance exam required for admission
- Classroom instruction plus clinical rotations at area facilities
- Faculty advisement and support throughout the program
LPN to ADN Option — On-Campus
Alamance Community College
Alamance Community College in Graham, North Carolina, runs an LPN to RN bridge that blends online coursework with in-class sessions and clinical practice across the lifespan. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,432 a year and out-of-state about $8,576, and the college reports an overall graduation rate near 39%. Admission uses a point system that weighs academics, TEAS results, and certifications, including points for military medical training.
- Blends online coursework with in-class sessions and clinical practice
- Covers nursing transition, medical-surgical, and advanced nursing courses
- Point-based admission weighing academics, TEAS scores, and certifications
- Extra points awarded for military medical training
- Active LPN license needed before the first clinical course
- Nursing courses require a grade of B or higher to progress
LPN to RN, Associates — Hybrid
Hinds Community College
Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, offers a three-semester ADN transition to RN for licensed practical nurses, paramedics, and respiratory therapists. In-state tuition and fees are about $3,700 a year, out-of-state about $6,750, and the college reports an overall graduation rate near 43%. Students choose a day track or a nights-and-weekends option built for working nurses, and credit by validation can shorten the sequence.
- Three-semester transition for LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists
- Day track or nights-and-weekends option for working nurses
- Credit by validation for prior learning shortens the program
- ACT entrance exam and a 2.5 GPA minimum required
- Offered at the Nursing Allied Health Center in Jackson
- Program materials list ACEN accreditation and financial aid support
Associate Degree Nursing Transition to RN — On-Campus
LPN to ADN vs. LPN to BSN: Which Bridge Path Fits Your Goals?
Delaware LPNs weighing a bridge program face a fundamental choice: earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) for the fastest route to RN licensure, or invest more time in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for broader career options. Both paths make you eligible for the NCLEX-RN, but they differ in cost, timeline, and long-term earning power. Keep in mind that a growing number of hospitals now prefer or require a BSN, and the bachelor's degree opens doors to management roles, nurse practitioner programs, and consistently higher pay over the course of your career.
Tuition and Cost Comparison for Online LPN to RN/BSN Programs
Published tuition rates tell only part of the story. After factoring in institutional financial aid, grants, and scholarships, the net price Delaware students actually pay can be significantly lower than the sticker price. The programs below range from roughly $2,200 to over $6,300 in published in-state tuition, but net prices after aid cluster between about $2,250 and $6,150. Keep in mind that net price figures are institution-level averages reported to the U.S. Department of Education and reflect all undergraduate students at each college, not just bridge nursing students. Your actual cost will depend on enrollment status, residency classification, aid eligibility, and any employer tuition reimbursement you may receive. Because these are out-of-state online programs for Delaware residents, confirm with each school whether you qualify for in-state or reduced online tuition rates before enrolling.
| School | State | Published In-State Tuition | Published Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Net Price After Aid | Program Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Albemarle | NC | $2,242 | $7,652 | $2,253 | Campus |
| Sampson Community College | NC | $2,877 | $9,789 | $3,108 | Hybrid |
| Alamance Community College | NC | $2,592 | $8,736 | $6,109 | Hybrid |
| Southwest Mississippi Community College | MS | $4,080 | $6,780 | $2,525 | Campus |
| Hinds Community College | MS | $4,250 | $7,300 | $4,060 | Campus |
| East Central Community College | MS | $4,160 | $6,260 | $5,240 | Campus |
| Maysville Community and Technical College | KY | $4,728 | $6,432 | $4,605 | Hybrid |
| Bevill State Community College | AL | $4,734 | $8,346 | $5,937 | Hybrid |
| Southern Union State Community College | AL | $5,040 | $8,910 | $6,142 | Online |
| Ohio University, Zanesville | OH | $6,362 | $9,444 | $5,746 | Campus |
Delaware by City
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Admission Requirements and How to Get Accepted
Online LPN-to-RN and LPN-to-BSN bridge programs share a common set of admission standards. Meeting the minimums gets your application reviewed; exceeding them is what gets you a seat. Here is what most programs expect.
- Active, Unencumbered LPN LicenseYou must hold a current LPN license in good standing, no disciplinary actions, restrictions, or pending investigations. Most programs verify your license through Nursys or the issuing state board before extending an offer.
- Minimum GPAExpect a cumulative GPA requirement between 2.5 and 3.0, depending on the program. Some schools calculate a separate prerequisite science GPA, so check each program's specific threshold before applying.
- Prerequisite CourseworkNearly every bridge program requires Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, college-level English composition, and a college-level math course (often statistics). Complete these before you apply; most programs will not grant conditional admission for missing prerequisites.
- Clinical ExperienceA minimum of one year of hands-on practice as a licensed LPN is standard. Some programs ask for documented proof of recent clinical hours or an employer verification letter, so keep your records current.
- Current CPR/BLS CertificationYou will need an active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or an equivalent provider. Ensure it will not expire mid-semester, as clinical sites will not allow you on the floor without it.
- Official TranscriptsSubmit official transcripts from your LPN diploma or certificate program and from every college or university where you have earned credit. Unofficial copies are typically accepted for preliminary review, but final admission requires sealed originals or electronic delivery.
- Background Check and Drug ScreeningA clean criminal background check and negative drug screen are required before you begin any clinical rotation. Programs partner with approved vendors and will provide instructions once you are accepted; plan for this cost out of pocket.
- Application Tip: Strengthen Your Prerequisite GPACompetitive programs weigh your science prerequisite GPA heavily, sometimes more than your overall GPA. If your grades in Anatomy, Physiology, or Microbiology fell below a B+, consider retaking those courses at a community college before you apply. A stronger science GPA can be the difference between a waitlist and an acceptance letter.
Delaware RN Licensure and NCLEX-RN Requirements for Online Graduates
Licensing by examination and licensing by endorsement follow different roads, and which one applies to you depends less on your school and more on where you legally live when you graduate.
If you legally reside in Delaware, you apply directly to the Delaware Board of Nursing through the eLicense online portal. You will need to submit an official transcript (or a signed letter from your program director if the transcript is not yet ready), pass a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO, and confirm your online program is board-approved and substantially equivalent to Delaware's standards, including Delaware's 400-plus clinical hour minimum for licensure. Because Delaware is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, a multistate license issued here allows practice in other member states without separate endorsement paperwork.
If You Live in Another Compact State
Delaware's own guidance is specific here: if your primary residence is another eNLC state, you apply for licensure by examination through that home state, not Delaware. Once your home board issues a multistate license, compact privilege covers Delaware practice automatically. Residents of noncompact states (California and New York, for example) do not get that shortcut and instead need a Delaware single-state license by examination before working in the state.
NCLEX-RN Registration
Whatever route you take, sign up for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE and schedule your seat at a Delaware testing center once your board application clears. Expect this window to open shortly after your board confirms your transcript and clinical hours meet the 400-hour threshold. Build in time for background check processing, since scheduling typically waits on that clearance.
Endorsement for Already-Licensed RNs
If you are already an RN licensed elsewhere and relocating to Delaware, endorsement is your route. This requires Nursys verification of your original license where available (or paper verification if your state does not participate), the same fingerprint background check, and a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred dollars. The board evaluates your original education against Delaware's approval standards on a case-by-case basis rather than working from a published list of pre-cleared online programs, so confirming your school's approval status before you apply saves time later.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2024 state wage estimates, Delaware RNs earned a notably higher median annual wage than LPNs, a gap that can approach five figures depending on setting and experience. Exact figures shift year to year, but the direction is consistent: bridging from LPN to RN typically brings a substantial, lasting pay increase.
Salary Insight
More Online LPN to RN/BSN Programs for Delaware Students
Beyond the ranked programs above, these additional LPN to RN and LPN to BSN pathways are listed alphabetically as a starting point for further research. They are not ranked here, and formats vary between on-campus, hybrid, and online delivery, so Delaware students should confirm out-of-state eligibility, clinical placement arrangements, and accreditation directly with each school before applying.
- Associate Degree Nursing (Registered Nursing) - LPN to RN
- Nursing Mobility: LPN & Paramedic to ADN
- Accelerated RN (LVN to RN)
- LPN to ADN Transition Program
- LPN to RN Option
- LPN – RN Transition pathway
- Nursing LPN Transfer
- LPN Bridge to ADN Pathway
- LPN to RN
- Associate Degree Nursing Accelerated Program for Licensed Practical Nurses and Paramedics
- Transitioning from Practice into Associate Degree Nursing
- LPN-RN Transition Program
- LPN to BSN
- LPN to RN Advanced Placement
- Nursing (LPN to BSN)
