Best Colleges & Universities in Delaware

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If you are looking to make it big, you may have to look at the second-smallest state to attend college. Don’t let its size fool you when it comes to searching for colleges or universities to attend. Its favorable incorporation laws make it easy to start a business there, so if you are thinking of starting a business after college, this is a great place to attend college. According to Delaware.gov (https://corp.delaware.gov/aboutagency/), 66% of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware.

Delaware’s salaries generally exceed the national average and the state has rigorous assistance for financial aid and job services. Delaware also participates in the National Sea Grant College Program, the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, and the NIFA land-grant program.

These programs put dollars behind students who want to pursue the preservation of marine areas, outer space research, or studies in agriculture, science, military science, and engineering. Though not many colleges and universities call the “diamond state” their home because it is such a small state, these programs are another reason to look at all the collegiate options in Delaware.

Online Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

The Academic Common Market is another great program available in Delaware. It allows residents of 14 other states to pay in-state tuition in Delaware’s institutions of higher learning. See http://home.sreb.org/acm/participating/institutionstates.aspx to learn if you qualify to participate in the benefits of the program.

With such great programs and business opportunities available to help students in their academic and entrepreneurial pursuits, Delaware may be the place for you. They say great things come in small packages and that is true for the higher institutions of learning in “the first state” of Delaware.
 

Colleges in Delaware Fast Facts

  • Fall enrollment (2018) = 60,700
  • Degrees awarded in Delaware (2017) = 15,043
  • Median in-state public tuition (2017) = $7,038
  • Median out-of-state public tuition (2017) = $16,074
  • Median private tuition (2017) = $23,850
  • Largest schools by the number of degrees awarded= 1.University of Delaware, 2. Wilmington University, 3. Delaware Technical Community College

Rankings

EDsmart assesses colleges in Delaware based on data that covers four main areas:

  • Cost (average net price)
  • Academic quality (graduation rate)
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Salary After Attending (the median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid, at 10 years after entering the school)

All data was gathered from the U.S. Dept of Education websites College Scorecard and College Navigator.

This ranking aims to help students assess the affordability and value of top colleges in Delaware so they can make informed decisions about which college to attend.

Best Colleges in Delaware for 2021

1. University of Delaware

Score: 100

Average Net Price: $16,127
Retention Rate: 91%
Graduation Rate: 79%
Salary After Graduating: $70,176

Since 1743, the University of Delaware has been committed to providing high-quality education and serving the people of Newark, Delaware and beyond. With nearly 24,000 students, it is the largest school in Delaware. They come in through the 71% acceptance rate and there is one faculty member for every 15 students. According to the U.S. News and World Report, it ranks #97 in National Universities, and Niche.com awarded it an overall grade rating of 'A' for value, campus, and athletics.

The University of Delaware's excellent curricula is available online and through distance education programs provided by its nine colleges and five schools of study. Remote students can complete their undergraduate programs entirely online, earning degrees like the Associate in Arts or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The university offers gradute degrees online, too. Some examples of this are the Master of Arts in Economics and Entrepreneurship for Educators, Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, and Master of Business Administration. Working professionals have access UD's virtual graduate programs from anywhere in the country.

University of Delaware online programs. (2021). University of Delaware. Retrieved from: https://online.udel.edu/online-programs

University of Delaware. (2021). U.S. News & World Report LP. Retrieved from: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-delaware-1431

University of Delaware. (2021). Niche. Retrieved from: https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-delaware/

2. Delaware State University

Score: 99.3

Average Net Price: $13,789
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 42%
Salary After Graduating: $72,022

Delaware State University is public post-secondary education that was founded in Dover, Delaware, in 1891. DSU's 53% acceptance rate pulls in over 3,600 undergraduate students. The small number of students also helps the school to keep one faculty for about every 15 students. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Delaware State ranks #284 in National Universities, and Niche.com awarded it an overall grade rating of 'C+' for diversity, athletics, and value.

The university features such popular degree programs as Communications, Criminology, and Kinesiology and Exercise Science. It also offers the only nationally accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work in the state of Delaware. In total, the school offers over 60 academic programs. As flexible learning options grow higher in demand, DSU has expanded its virtual platform to accommodate even the busiest of remote learners. Online undergraduate programs cover the fields of Accounting, General Management, Psychology, Public Health, while graduate programs span fields like Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, and Sports Administration.

DSU online. (2021). Delaware State University. Retrieved from: https://www.desu.edu/academics/dsu-online

Delaware State University. (2021). U.S. World News & Report LP. Retrieved from: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428

Delaware State University. (2021). Niche. Retrieved from: https://www.niche.com/colleges/delaware-state-university/

3. Goldey-Beacom College

Score: 99

Average Net Price: $14,065
Retention Rate: 78%
Graduation Rate: 51%
Salary After Graduating: $46,807

Goldey-Beacom College is a private post-secondary educational institution that was founded in 1886 in Pike Creek, Delaware. As an institution, this college is committed to providing high-quality, convenient, and accessible education. Goldey-Beacom prioritizes instruction quality, meaning it keeps its professors well equipped to teach in their respective fields. Ultimately, the school aims to provide a wholesome learning environment that enables students to enter the workforce successfully and contribute to building a better world.

Although there are no online degree programs mentioned on their website, Goldey-Beacom offers 41 on-campus degree options for undergraduate and graduate students. A few such degrees cover the fields of Psychology, Criminal Justice, English, Human Services, Communication and Media, and much more. The school offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s in business and maintains the highest standards of academic excellence in the state of Delaware.

At a glance. (2021). Goldey-Beacom College. Retrieved from: https://www.gbc.edu/

Goldey-Beacom College. (2021). Niche. Retrieved from: https://www.niche.com/colleges/goldey-beacom-college/

Goldey-Beacom College. (2021). U.S. News & World Report LP. Retrieved from: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/goldeybeacom-college-1429

4. Wilmington University

Score: 99

Average Net Price: $15,282
Retention Rate: 62%
Graduation Rate: 49%
Salary After Graduating: $73,321

Since 1968, Wilmington University has been committed to providing high-quality education to the community of New Castle and beyond. The school accepts all applicants, so there are now over 9,100 undergraduate students. According to the U.S. News and World Report, it ranks #298 in National Universities. The most widely-pursued majors include Nursing Science, Education, Business, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration, and Behavior Sciences.

WU provides career-oriented programs and coursework that prepares students to establish successful careers. With over 200 unique degree programs to choose from, students have every opportunity open to them. The school also prioritizes accessibility and offers over 130 online degree programs, making it one of the best online schools in Delaware. Ultimately, Wilmington University is committed to ensuring students reach their highest potential, both personally and professionally.

Online learning at Wilmington University. (2021). Wilmington University. Retrieved from: https://www.wilmu.edu/onlinelearning/index.aspx

Wilmington University. (2021). U.S. World News & Report LP. Retrieved from: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/wilmington-university-7948

Wilmington University. (2021). Niche. Retrieved from: https://www.niche.com/colleges/wilmington-university/

5. Delaware College of Art and Design

Score: 97.8

Average Net Price: $35,146
Retention Rate: 76%
Graduation Rate: 61%
Salary After Graduating: $15,922

The Delaware College of Art and Design has been providing quality accredited art education since 1997. It is a very small school where the 71% acceptance rate allows for just over 100 students to participate in it. This creates a tight-knit community of artists and designers that creates truly unique college experience. Niche.com awarded it an overall grade rating of 'B-' for diversity, location, and safety.

The school itself provides a wide array of course options, but the most popular majors include Illustration, Animation, Video Graphics and Special Effects, and Graphic Design. Because of the small number of students and faculty, individuals have personalized education and frequent one-on-one instruction. Despite its small size, students at the Delaware College of Art and Design graduate ready to pursue their big passions and talents.

DCAD Programs & Courses. (2021). Delaware College of Art and Design. Retrieved from: https://dcad.edu/programs-of-study/

Delaware College of Art and Design. (2021). Niche. Retrieved from: https://www.niche.com/colleges/delaware-college-of-art--and--design/

Sources

  • NCES
  • CollegeScorecard
  • DataUSA.io
  • US News
  • Niche
  • Individual school websites

Online Programs That Might Interest You

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Take the next step toward your future with online learning.

Discover schools with the programs and courses you’re interested in, and start learning today.
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