Best Delaware Colleges & Universities

Delaware College Rankings: Best Schools

Our best-in-state school rankings objectively assess which two- and four-year colleges in Delaware provide the highest amount of academic value. Included in the rankings calculations are factors like tuition cost, graduation rate, alumni earnings, financial aid availability and student-to-teacher ratio. Learn more about Delaware's best colleges and universities below.

Methodology +

Minimum Qualifications

• Located in Delaware
• Public or private not-for-profit
• Institutionally accredited
• At least 5 total programs

Ranking Metrics

• Median annual alumni earnings 10 years after entering the college
• In-state tuition and fees for undergraduates
• Student/teacher ratio
• % of students receiving institutional financial aid (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Average amount of institutional aid awarded per student (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Availability of placement services upon completion
• Availability of academic/career counseling services
• Availability of employment services
• 3-year student cohort loan default rate

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): National Center for Education Statistics

• Latest 'Final Release' data available as of Fall 2016

College Scorecard: U.S. Department of Education

• Latest data available as of Fall 2016

Minimum Qualifications

• Located in Delaware
• Public or private not-for-profit
• Institutionally accredited
• At least 10 total programs

Ranking Metrics

• Median annual alumni earnings 10 years after entering the college
• In-state tuition and fees for undergraduates
• Student/teacher ratio
• 6-year graduation rate
• % of students receiving institutional financial aid (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Average amount of institutional aid awarded per student (first-time, full-time undergrads)
• Availability of placement services upon completion
• Availability of academic/career counseling services
• Availability of employment services
• 3-year student cohort loan default rate

Data Sources

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): National Center for Education Statistics

• Latest 'Final Release' data available as of Fall 2016

College Scorecard: U.S. Department of Education

• Latest data available as of Fall 2016

• 2-Year Colleges
• 4-Year Colleges

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Description	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	Delaware Technical Community College-Terry	99.85	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 9%		15%	N/A	0	N/A	Yes	Yes
2	Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton/Wilmington	99.79	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 7%		9%	N/A	0	N/A	Yes	Yes
3	Delaware Technical Community College-Owens	99.65	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 15%		20%	N/A	0	N/A	Yes	Yes
4	Delaware College of Art and Design	86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$ $$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 91%		70%	48%	0	N/A	No	No

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition Fees	Alumni Earnings	Student/Teacher Ratio	Gift Financial Aid	Description	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate	# Online Programs	# Total Programs	Placement Services	Credit for Experience
1	University of Delaware	99.37	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$ $$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 54%		80%	68%	10	N/A	Yes	No
2	Wilmington University	91.54	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$ $$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 20%		34%	N/A	29	N/A	Yes	Yes
3	Goldey-Beacom College	88.9	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$ $$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 100%		40%	51%	0	N/A	Yes	No
4	Wesley College	86.88	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $$$ $$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 95%		31%	57%	1	N/A	Yes	Yes
5	Delaware State University	86	Published in-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students. $ $$$$	Annual median earnings 10 years after entering the college. Only includes former students who received federal financial aid. $26,500	N/A	First-time, full-time undergraduates receiving grant or scholarship aid directly from the postsecondary institution. 60%		33%	44%	0	N/A	Yes	No

Find and Research Delaware Colleges & Universities

Students will want to begin comparing specific colleges early on in their search. Not everyone has the same standards, and some people care more about certain features than others. For instance, one person may make a decision based entirely on cost and financial aid while another is more concerned with class size or location. Use the search tool below to compare Delaware colleges using the criteria you care about most.

The True Cost of Delaware Colleges

Many factors can influence the cost of college in Delaware. Students with in-state residency usually pay substantially less per credit than out-of-state students. Financial aid is another big factor that affects the price tag. Students considering colleges in Delaware may want to know how much they might pay and how that figure compares to other schools across the country. Prospective applicants can use the information below to compare average college costs in Delaware and nationally.

Delaware's Six-Most Affordable Colleges

For many aspiring students and their families, the one and only concern for college is out-of-pocket costs - how much per credit, and how much of it can be mitigated with scholarships and grants. We've measured the most affordable colleges in Delaware by that same calculation, tuition cost minus the average amount of gift financial aid awarded.

• 1
  
  Delaware State University$13,161
• 2
  
  Wilmington University$15,001
• 3
  
  University of Delaware$15,998

• 4
  
  Goldey-Beacom College$19,510
• 5
  
  Wesley College$22,422
• 6
  
  Widener University-Delaware Campus$22,812

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

Delaware College Net Price vs. National Average

$18,150

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Delaware Colleges With Highest-Paid Alumni

A primary concern for many students approaching college is what their earning potential will be after they graduate. Some Delaware colleges have alumni who make more than graduates of other schools; the illustration below highlights schools where alumni have earned the highest salaries 10 years after entering.

• 1
  
  University of Delaware$54,300
• 2
  
  Widener University-Delaware Campus$51,700
• 3
  
  Goldey-Beacom College$43,900

• 4
  
  Wilmington University$43,000
• 5
  
  Wesley College$41,400
• 6
  
  Delaware State University$34,200

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

Delaware Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$44,750

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Delaware Colleges for the Lowest Student Debt

Most colleges in Delaware and around the country have their own financial aid department, and specific colleges within colleges award scholarships to students entering the field. Some better prepare students to take advantage of these opportunities all year long. These are the colleges in Delaware from which graduates depart with the least student debt.

• 1
  
  Wilmington University$18,192
• 2
  
  University of Delaware$24,126
• 3
  
  Goldey-Beacom College$24,375

• 4
  
  Widener University-Delaware Campus$27,800
• 5
  
  Delaware State University$29,000
• 6
  
  Wesley College$30,750

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

Delaware College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$25,707

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Delaware's Cost of Living: City Comparison

Delaware's cost of living is just above the national average, which means its housing, food, utilities, and transportation costs are more expensive than those of most states. The margins aren't large, but students should still consider these expenses while calculating the overall cost of the education. The graphic below outlines Delaware cities' cost-of-living percentages

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

The Ins and Outs of Delaware College Accreditation

Accreditation is the means by which educational institutions are evaluated to ensure that they meet state, local and national standards. There are many different accrediting organizations around the country; however, many schools in Delaware are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Students want to choose accredited programs so they can be sure of the quality and consistency of their education. In some instances, individual programs in universities are accredited by industry-specific bodies. Some examples include:

• The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation certifies the education programs at Delaware State University, University of Delaware, Wesley College and Wilmington University.
• The National Association of Schools of Art and Design along with the MSCHE, accredits the Delaware College of Art and Design.

Major College Cities in Delaware

Newark

The city of Wilmington has six colleges and numerous technical schools. According to the U.S. Census, the city's 2010 population was 70,851. Its industries, other than education, consist mainly of finance, logistics, and insurance. Delaware is the official state of incorporation for many companies because of its business-friendly policies, and many of them are headquartered in Wilmington.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Delaware	Public	$10,966	$41,900
The student population of the University of Delaware nears 23,000 including more than 4,000 graduate students. There are more than 300 degree programs, and the university boasts its study abroad program established in 1923 - in fact, 30 percent of its students study abroad each year. Community service is another piece of the university's requirements. Fourteen thousand students have spent more than 250,000 hours serving others, to date.

Wilmington

The city of Wilmington has six colleges and numerous technical schools. According to the U.S. Census, the city's 2010 population was 70,851. Its industries, other than education, consist mainly of finance, logistics, and insurance. Delaware is the official state of incorporation for many companies because of its business-friendly policies, and many of them are headquartered in Wilmington.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Delaware College of Art and Design	Public	$11,159	$43,500
DCAD was formed in 1996 when two schools, New York's Pratt Institute and Washington DC's Corcoran College of Art and Design, partnered to establish a new school in Delaware. DCAD offers Associate in Fine Arts degrees in liberal arts, animation, and illustration, among others. The school offers graduates a unique opportunity to transfer to a bachelor's in fine arts program at other art and design schools around the world.
Goldey-Beacom College	Public	$16,954	$37,700
GBC offers associate, bachelor's and master's degrees in fields like English, criminal justice and many science fields. This private school was founded in 1886, and has a full campus with residence halls, a library, gym and athletic fields. It's a small school with 2,000 students from 13 states and 60 countries. It boasts the belief and ability to provide financial aid to every student.
Delaware Technical Community College	Public	$4,963	$33,500
The Wilmington campus provides associate degrees, career-oriented programs, and volunteer and community service activities. This campus is also home to the Dental Health Center, which has at its mission to provide quality dental care for the community while helping students complete the program's requirements.

Source: College Scorecard

Additional Resources for Delaware College Research

To continue their research, students should consider exploring additional resources. All Delaware colleges have websites with a wealth of information, including scholarships and financial aid, degree programs, and university specialties. Here are some additional resources to review.