Why This Matters

  • 6 COLLEGES IN DELAWARE

    Delaware may be a small state, but it values educating its residents. The state is home to six undergraduate institutions, according to College Navigator.

  • $13,900 AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION & FEES

    The average undergrad attending a university in Delaware paid $13,900 in tuition and fees in 2021-22, according to College Board.

  • $14,800 IN UNDERGRADUATE AID PER U.S. STUDENT

    College Board says that in 2020-21, the average full-time student seeking a bachelor’s degree received $14,800 through various forms of aid.

Our Research

This list features some of the best brick-and-mortar schools in Delaware. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The colleges on our list are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), a reputable organization that examines the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of education programs in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

The Top 50 Colleges in Delaware

Best Colleges In Delaware
01
Intelligent Pick
University of Delaware
01
Best Aviation Program
Delaware State University
01
Best for Online Students
Wilmington University
01
Best Business Program
Goldey - Beacom College

 

What You Should Know About Graduating From College in Delaware

Delaware’s job market is especially suited to trade workers and those who work in the education or healthcare sectors. The two largest industries in the state are trade, transportation, and utilities and education and health services. The third, fourth, and fifth largest lines of work are government, professional and business services, and retail trade.

Delaware’s economy is also growing in many areas, especially the business and technology sectors. The fastest-growing job for workers with a bachelor’s degree is medical and health services manager. Substance abuse counselors and construction managers will also see their ranks increase by 2030.

Recent graduates looking to dive into their new careers will find plenty of stable and even noteworthy employers in Delaware. According to CareerOneStop, some of the state’s largest employers include AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Christiana Hospital, the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, and Siemens Healthcare.

What’s Next?

Before you can think about applying for college and starting your education, you’ll need to consider how you’ll pay for it. Residents of Delaware can take advantage of the following state and federal resources for students:

  • Delaware Student Success. The Delaware Student Success organization works with students of all ages but can also help college students connect with potential aid and fund their education.
  • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The government disseminates federal student aid to students who have demonstrated a need based on the information included in the FAFSA form when they fill it out. You can determine your eligibility using the FAFSA4caster, but you’ll still have to fill out the official online form before the academic year’s filing deadline to qualify for any aid.
  • CareerOneStop. Beyond helping graduates find employers and potential opportunities, CareerOneStop is a great place to find scholarships and grants for students in your area. Be sure to filter the results by the type of degree you’re looking for and the state you’re attending college to find scholarships that are curated for local students.