Delaware is a geographically small state and it has a relatively small population. However, it still has eight significant colleges and universities. These eight schools include two research institutions, two special-focus schools, and two junior colleges. The five postsecondary schools have a split of three public and two private. All Delaware post-secondary schools have regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Learning.
The below-listed items describe the leading five Delaware postsecondary schools.
- Wilmington University is a private research university in Wilmington, Delaware.
- Wesley College is a private four-year institution located in Dover, Delaware.
- University of Delaware in Newark is the flagship institution for the state of Delaware. It is the largest school in the state with more than 23,000 students.
- Goldey-Beacom College is a special focus institution located in Pike Valley, Delaware. It focuses on business education and teaching.
- Delaware State University is the state’s historically black land-grant University.
How Much Can You Make by Earning a Degree?
The earning potential for someone with a degree in Delaware can vary significantly depending on the level of education, field of study, and the industry in which they work. On average, individuals with a bachelor's degree in Delaware tend to earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma, with median annual wages for degree holders typically ranging from $50,000 to $70,000. Advanced degrees, such as master's or professional degrees, can elevate earnings further, often exceeding $90,000 annually in high-demand fields like healthcare, engineering, or technology. Delaware's strategic location near major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., also provides opportunities for higher wages in industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and business management.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Best Associate Degree Programs in Delaware
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry
Score: 95.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,965
- Out-of-State:$11,828
- Net Price: $7,777
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 11,726
- Undergrad Students: 11,726
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,400
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Delaware County Community College
Score: 79.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,800
- Out-of-State:$14,940
- Net Price: $10,812
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 7,992
- Undergrad Students: 7,992
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $43,100
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Best Bachelor's Programs in Delaware
University of Delaware
Score: 88.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,080
- Out-of-State:$39,720
- Net Price: $18,044
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 24,039
- Undergrad Students: 19,482
- Graduate Students: 4,557
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Goldey-Beacom College
Score: 81.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,440
- Out-of-State:$13,440
- Net Price: $13,454
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 1,012
- Undergrad Students: 620
- Graduate Students: 392
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Delaware State University
Score: 79.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,314
- Out-of-State:$20,250
- Net Price: $11,886
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 5,826
- Undergrad Students: 4,996
- Graduate Students: 830
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Delaware Valley University
Score: 69.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,300
- Out-of-State:$43,300
- Net Price: $29,256
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 2,178
- Undergrad Students: 1,777
- Graduate Students: 401
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Wilmington University
Score: 65.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,330
- Out-of-State:$12,330
- Net Price: $14,089
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 14,020
- Undergrad Students: 9,091
- Graduate Students: 4,929
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Best Master's Programs in Delaware
University of Delaware
Score: 88.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $16,080
- Out-of-State:$39,720
- Net Price: $18,044
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 80%
- Total Enrollment: 24,039
- Undergrad Students: 19,482
- Graduate Students: 4,557
- Grads Salary: $81,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Goldey-Beacom College
Score: 81.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,440
- Out-of-State:$13,440
- Net Price: $13,454
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 1,012
- Undergrad Students: 620
- Graduate Students: 392
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Delaware State University
Score: 79.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,314
- Out-of-State:$20,250
- Net Price: $11,886
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 5,826
- Undergrad Students: 4,996
- Graduate Students: 830
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Delaware Valley University
Score: 69.78
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,300
- Out-of-State:$43,300
- Net Price: $29,256
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 2,178
- Undergrad Students: 1,777
- Graduate Students: 401
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Wilmington University
Score: 65.74
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,330
- Out-of-State:$12,330
- Net Price: $14,089
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- Total Enrollment: 14,020
- Undergrad Students: 9,091
- Graduate Students: 4,929
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Scholarships for Delaware Students
Scholarships are an excellent path to reducing the costs of college education while enjoying the benefits of higher education on income, career, and personal enrichment. Like grants, scholarships are sources of funds for educational expenses that students do not need to repay. Scholarships and grants often have specific beneficiaries (e.g., children of injured veterans) and detailed requirements like the presentation of an essay or in-person interviews.
Some grants and scholarships require attendance at a particular school while others may be good for any school in Delaware. There are types of scholarships and grants that promote one field of study or a grouping like the STEM majors. There are grants, scholarships, and stipends that ask for some future commitment to service such as teaching in the state for a given number of years after receiving a teacher’s scholarship. Nearly every grant or scholarship will require attendance at an accredited college or university.
The best scholarships are those that work for a student. This list describes some leading Delaware grant and scholarship programs. Successful students must be eager to research and find applicable grants and scholarships. When assessing scholarships, students should look for programs that focus on groups that may include them. These factors include financial need, race and ethnic origin, gender, age, marital status, and geography.
FSMHAS
First State Manufactured Housing Association Scholarship
Deadline: March 4
Amount: $1,000 annually
https://www.firststatemha.org/industry/scholarship/
Eligible students must be legal residents of Delaware and be either a high school senior or high school graduate. They must file the FAFSA and they must have lived in a manufactured home for more than one year before application. Students may attend any accredited two- or four-year college, trade, or other type of school. Eligible students may attend part-time or full-time but must carry at least seven semester hours. The program selects award winners based on their academic record, financial need, and professional and personal recommendations. Students with 12 or more semester credit hours can submit college transcripts to support their applications.
HHMS
Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 4
Amount: Full tuition at Delaware State University
https://education.delaware.gov/families/college-career-life/college-scholarship-financial-aid/scholarships-and-financial-aid-resources/dheo-scholarships/
The Herman Holloway awards honor the first African-American state senator in the history of the state of Delaware. Eligible students must be residents of Delaware, US citizens, and legal US residents. High school seniors must have a 3.0 GPA and a combined score of 1000 on the SAT or an equivalent score on the ACT. Holloway Scholarship students must enroll for full-time study at Delaware State University. The award requires a full and timely FAFSA application.
The scholarship award pays for tuition, fees, room, board, and books at Delaware State University. Students may only get one award per school year and can renew the award for up to three further years for a total of four years of full tuition coverage. Students must register at the student account access site. The award criteria emphasize extracurricular activities in school and in the local community.
DF
Delaware Futures
Deadline: March 8
Amount: Full or Partial Tuition at Participating Colleges and Universities
http://www.delawarefutures.org/
The Delaware futures helps high school students prepare for college admissions and success. The program recruits promising students from low-resource families. The students receive mentoring, career counseling, and educational advice. They use peer-support systems to encourage and teach the students the paths to successful college preparation, testing, and admissions.
The students go on to college at a very high rate (88%) and receive full or partial tuition scholarships. The partner colleges in Delaware are listed below.
- Wilmington University
- Wesley College
- University of Delaware
- Goldley-Beacom College
- Delaware State University
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