Best Online Nursing Programs in Dover, DE (2026)
Dover, Delaware has a population of about 39,491. The city’s median household income is $58,336 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 27.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Dover, with tuition ranging from $4,965 to $13,177 per year. In Delaware, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $236,800 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Dover
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Dover city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | Dover, DE | 3.4 mi | $4,965 - $13,177 | – |
| Polytech Adult Education | Woodside, DE | 6.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus | Vineland, NJ | 31.7 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Salem Community College | Carneys Point, NJ | 37.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Dawn Career Institute LLC | Newark, DE | 38.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Delaware schools on the Delaware nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Dover
Dover is part of the Dover, DE metro area (BLS area code 20100). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Delaware statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,280 | Dover, DE | $88,492 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $62,220 | Dover, DE | $63,815 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $236,800 | DE statewide | $242,872 |
| Nurse Midwife | $99,060 | DE statewide | $101,600 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,440 | Dover, DE | $133,785 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,570 | Dover, DE | $38,533 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Dover at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 39,491 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $58,336 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 27.1% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.5 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Dover-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Milford, DE – 18.1 mi away (20,683 pop)
- Middletown, DE – 22.3 mi away (32,540 pop)
- Millville, NJ – 29.5 mi away (28,059 pop)
- Lewes, DE – 33.2 mi away (27,008 pop)
- Vineland, NJ – 35.0 mi away (94,943 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Dover, DE?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Dover. The closest is Delaware Technical Community College-Terry in Dover, DE (3.4 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Dawn Career Institute LLC (38.2 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Dover?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Dover are: Nurse Anesthetist ($236,800), Nurse Practitioner ($130,440), Nurse Midwife ($99,060). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Delaware statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Milford instead of Dover?
Milford, DE is 18.1 miles from Dover and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Dover an affordable place to study nursing?
Dover’s median household income of $58,336 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Dover while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Delaware public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.