Our Research
This list features some of the best online 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.
We reviewed institutions accredited on both the national and regional levels, ensuring that they’re held to rigorous quality standards. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has accredited the majority of these colleges, mandating institutional integrity and ensuring that they meet the motto of “Our students are well-served; society is well-served.” One college is accredited by the American Bar Association, the national voice of the U.S. legal profession that accredits and approves institutions across the country.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Delaware
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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Delaware
Does Delaware have good online colleges and universities?
Delaware’s online college and university offerings are limited compared to those of other states. Delaware does not offer any online bachelor’s degree programs, and only one university, the University of Delaware, offers online graduate degree programs. That said, its graduate programs are ranked fairly high by U.S. News & World Report — No. 20 in the nation for best online Master of Education program and No. 33 in the nation for best online MBA program. At the community college level, you have many online course and degree options. For instance, Delaware County Community College offers over 100 online courses within a full and accelerated semester format.
Given the relatively limited number of options in Delaware, you may want to check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges in the entire United States. In addition to showing you the country’s top 30 schools for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Delaware cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some colleges offer discounted rates for online courses regardless of where you live, while others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. At University of Delaware, online graduate students pay the same tuition for their degree regardless of where they live. At Delaware community colleges, however, Delaware residents pay less for online classes than out-of-state students do.
Why should you choose Delaware for online higher education?
Delaware could be a good choice for online higher education if you want to take flexible, yet rigorous, community college classes or if you’re interested in one of the graduate degrees the University of Delaware offers. If you’re looking for an online bachelor’s degree program, Delaware is not the best place to look because the state currently does not offer any.
The Cost of Online College in Delaware
How much does an online degree in Delaware cost?
The cost of an online degree in Delaware depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree you choose to pursue. For example, community college programs are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you may find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save a lot of money on indirect expenses, such as transportation and housing, by earning your college degree online.
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Delaware to get in-state tuition rates?
Establishing Delaware residency typically requires you to have resided in Delaware for at least 12 months prior to declaring Delaware residency. You must also prove that you came to Delaware for reasons other than education and intend to stay there for the foreseeable future. This entails, for instance, changing your driver’s license and voter registration, paying Delaware state taxes, being employed in the state, etc. Some exceptions are made for veterans and active-duty service members.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Delaware?
Delaware offers several ways to reduce your tuition costs. One is through participation in the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Market, which enables residents of southern states to pay in-state tuition at institutions located in the south. This can end up saving you thousands, or even tens of thousands, on your degree.
The state of Delaware also sponsors 30 Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarships per year, which award $1,250 in renewable funding to Delaware residents with a GPA of at least 3.0 and an SAT score of 1290 or above.
It’s worth noting that for need-based aid, you should file the FAFSA application, which will also show whether you’re eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and other financial aid awards.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Delaware
In addition to Southern Regional Education Board reciprocity agreements and Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarships, there are a number of other programs available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are also based on financial need, while others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent financial aid options for you below:
B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship awards one student per year with full tuition, required fees, room, board, and books at the University of Delaware. The funding can be renewed for three additional years, meaning you can finish a four-year degree for free. This scholarship is very competitive.
Who’s eligible? Delaware residents who will attend UD and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and minimum SAT score of 1290. You must also file the FAFSA.
Contact information: [email protected] | 302-735-4000
Career Based Scholarship
This scholarship provides $5,000 per year to students in a bachelor’s degree program at a public or private university in Delaware who are majoring in a high-need field in the state (software development, nursing, accounting and auditing, etc.). A list of the current year’s high-need career fields and majors can be found on the scholarship website.
Who’s eligible? Students in bachelor’s degree programs at public or private universities in Delaware majoring in a high-need career field in the state.
Contact information: [email protected] | 302-735-4000
Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship awards one student per year with full tuition, required fees, room, board, and books at Delaware State University (DSU). The funding can be renewed for up to three additional years as long as the student maintains a GPA of at least 3.0.
Who’s eligible? Delaware residents with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and minimum SAT score of 1000 who will enroll full-time at DSU.
Contact information: [email protected] | 302-735-4000
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in Delaware
If you’re still in the process of assessing your college options, you may also be undecided on your major. When selecting a major, one of the most important factors to consider is your future employability. Thinking about which industries and careers are growing the fastest in Delaware can make it easier to find a job once you graduate, and being in demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Employment Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have some of the highest projected growth rates in Delaware:
Personal Care Aides
As Delaware’s population ages and chronic and acute medical conditions become more prevalent, the state is in increasing need of personal care aides to assist patients, often older adults or disabled people, with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing. In Delaware, personal care aides make an average annual salary of $27,870.
- Growth: 39.7%
- Degree options: Certificate in Personal Care Aide, Associate in Medical Assisting
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) specialize in treating speech impediments and other issues that arise related to the mouth and throat area, including chewing and swallowing food. Demand for SLP services is expected to rise greatly in Delaware and across the country, largely due to the aging population and prevalence of health issues such as stroke and Alzheimer’s, which can impair speech and eating skills. In Delaware, SLPs make an average annual salary of $87,110.
- Growth: 28.6%
- Degree options: Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology
Medical Assistants
Medical assistants perform a range of administrative and selective clinical duties to support physicians. They schedule appointments, maintain medical records, oversee billing and insurance coding, and sometimes take patients’ vitals, draw blood, and administer medication as directed. In Delaware, they earn an average salary of $38,110.
- Growth: 23.9%
- Degree options: Certificate in Medical Assisting, Associate in Medical Assisting
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Market research analysts and marketing specialists use data to understand consumer preferences and tailor a company’s marketing campaigns to what will bring the greatest return on investment. In Delaware, market research analysts and marketing specialists make an average salary of $93,050.
- Growth: 18.9%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Marketing, Bachelor’s in Communications, Bachelor’s in Market Research, Bachelor’s in Statistics, Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Registered Nurses
Registered nurses (RNs) perform a wide range of health and patient care duties, depending on where they work (hospital, doctor’s office, health clinic, etc.). RNs in Delaware earn an average salary of $85,020.
- Growth: 14.5%
- Degree options: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)