University of Delaware is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Newark, Delaware. It enrolls 19,071 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorMiddle States Commission on Higher Education
Academic Calendar4-1-4 Plan
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
82/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes89
Value85
Affordability36
Selectivity71
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 70.6%, University of Delaware is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
70.6%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1190 – 1370
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
28 – 32
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Delaware is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
6.2 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Delaware isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $17,799 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$17,799
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
16%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
50%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$16,810
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$41,400
Room & Board (on-campus)
$15,386
Room & Board (off-campus)
$14,674
Books & Supplies
$1,250
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$2,000
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance
$30,952
Application fee: $75 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$10,901
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,099
$48,001 – $75,000
$13,225
$75,001 – $110,000
$17,401
Over $110,000
$25,580
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$10,50025%percentile
$24,572Medianpercentile
$27,00075%percentile
$30,52890%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $21,961
↓ $2,611
No Pell $20,481
↓ $4,091
Dependent students $21,126
↓ $3,446
Independent students $19,000
↓ $5,572
Female students $21,697
↓ $2,875
Male students $19,500
↓ $5,072
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,250, less than completers ($24,572), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
79% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Delaware graduate within six years, and 91% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
79%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
91%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Delaware earn a median of $72,950 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$72,950
Earning > $25K
90%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$59,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$70,700
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$56,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$58,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$67,900
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $11,500, about 16% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
9.1 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 92% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Delaware is home to 19,071 students, a sprawling student community.
Total Enrolled
19,071
Part-Time
4%
First-Generation
17%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 66.9%12,753
Hispanic 10.7%2,033
Black 6.5%1,243
Asian 5.6%1,064
Other 5.3%1,018
International 3.2%601
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Delaware. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbNewark, Delaware
Housing
Partly residential7,191 beds available
Adult Learners
2%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
4-1-4 Planscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Delaware offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
216 distinct programs across
26 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Delaware is 15:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
15:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$3.1B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$127,575
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
1,256 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
393
31%
$168,139
Associate Professors
378
30%
$118,905
Assistant Professors
398
32%
$104,884
Instructors
87
7%
$85,810
Pros & Cons of University of Delaware
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Delaware tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Reasonable class sizes
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Delaware is a fit for
students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Delaware
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Delaware.
Is University of Delaware hard to get into?
Admissions at University of Delaware are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 70.6%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Delaware?
University of Delaware has an acceptance rate of 70.6%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Delaware?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Delaware scored between 1190 and 1370 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Delaware?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Delaware scored between 28 and 32 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Delaware cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Delaware is $17,799 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Delaware worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $72,950 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $17,799 per year. That's roughly 4.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Delaware known for?
University of Delaware is best known for its programs in Finance, Liberal Arts, Marketing. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Delaware graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Delaware are $72,950, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Delaware accredited?
Yes. University of Delaware is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
How many students attend University of Delaware?
University of Delaware enrolls 19,071 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Delaware?
University of Delaware graduates 79% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Delaware a public or private college?
University of Delaware is a Public institution.
Where is University of Delaware located?
University of Delaware is located in Newark, Delaware.
What programs does University of Delaware offer?
University of Delaware offers 216 distinct programs. The most popular include Finance, Liberal Arts, Marketing.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Delaware?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Delaware is 15:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Delaware
Other colleges in Delaware share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Finance
Business Administration
Business Administration
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