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Delaware Colleges

Delaware, the “Small Wonder” state, has eight accredited colleges and universities. Explore the options and compare Delaware degree programs with our free database of college statistics.

Discover the Best Colleges in Delaware & Beyond

The list of accredited Delaware colleges and universities is short but impressive. Delaware is America’s second smallest state, but it’s also the oldest — and its history of higher education dates back to the 1700s. The list of public and private institutions in Delaware includes two associate’s colleges, one baccalaureate college, two research universities, a master’s university and two special-focus institutions. Hundreds of college majors are available in-state. Various for-profit career schools offer training too.
Delaware residents can also earn affordable college degrees out of state. The Academic Common Market (see below) lets Delaware residents get in-state rates for nearly 2000 degree programs throughout the South. You can compare the colleges and universities with our free college search tool.

Delaware College Education Overview

The Delaware college and university collection is small but mighty. Here are introductions to the eight Delaware schools accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Delaware (UD) is the state’s oldest institution of higher learning. Nearly 23,000 students attended UD online or on campus during the 2014-2015 academic year. This high-ranking university offers 125 majors and 75 minors.

  • Delaware State University is the state’s only historically black college or university. It dates back to the 1890s and enrolls approximately 3500 undergraduates and graduate students. Del State offers 51 undergraduate degrees, 25 master’s degrees and five doctoral degrees.
  • Wilmington University is Delaware’s largest private nonprofit university and is devoted to doctoral education. It offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs. Approximately 20,000 students enrolled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
  • The Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) offers associate’s degrees in fine art. This very small private college was co-founded by the renowned Pratt Institute and Corcoran College of Art and Design. Most students use DCAD as a stepping stone to Bachelor of Fine Arts degree programs.
  • The Delaware Technical Community College grants associate’s degrees. It’s the state’s only public community college. It enrolled about 23,500 students for the 2013-2014 school year.
  • Goldey-Beacom College is a private school that attracts students from around the world. It grants associate degrees, bachelor degrees, master degrees and certificates in a variety of disciplines. Roughly 1600 students enrolled for 2015-2016.
  • Wesley College is a small liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It enrolls approximately 2500 students. Most pursue liberal arts degrees but the school also has professional degree programs in nursing, business and other disciplines.
  • Widener University is a private college serving undergraduates and graduate students. It offers liberal arts and professional degrees at the associate’s level through the doctoral level. Widener is the only Delaware school with a law program accredited by the American Bar Association.

Delaware colleges and universities clearly offer an impressive selection of degree and certificate programs — but if these aren’t enough, explore the out-of-state degree programs that are made affordable through the Academic Common Market. The Academic Common Market lets Delaware residents pay in-state rates for degree programs in these southern states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

Discover the top Delaware colleges and universities using our list below.

Rank School Name City State Net Cost School Level Retention Rate Distance Learning
1

Academy of Massage and Bodywork

Bear

DE

N/A

Vocational

N/A

No

2

Dawn Career Institute Inc

Wilmington

DE

N/A

Vocational

N/A

Yes

3

Delaware College of Art and Design

Wilmington

DE

N/A

2 year

89.66%

No

4

Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology

Dagsboro

DE

N/A

Vocational

67.86%

No

5

Delaware State University

Dover

DE

$12,603

4 year

68.91%

Yes

6

Delaware Technical Community College-Central Office

Dover

DE

N/A

2 year

N/A

No

7

Delaware Technical Community College-Owens

Georgetown

DE

$6,614

2 year

59.7%

Yes

8

Delaware Technical Community College-Stanton/Wilmington

Wilmington

DE

$6,925

2 year

56.56%

Yes

9

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

Dover

DE

$6,664

2 year

56.9%

Yes

10

Goldey-Beacom College

Wilmington

DE

N/A

4 year

76.34%

No

11

Harris School of Business-Dover Campus

Dover

DE

N/A

Vocational

73.77%

No

12

Harris School of Business-Wilmington Campus

Wilmington

DE

N/A

Vocational

70.75%

No

13

Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center

Lewes

DE

N/A

2 year

N/A

No

14

Paul Mitchell the School-Delaware

Newark

DE

N/A

Vocational

76.19%

No

15

Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design LLC

Newark

DE

N/A

Vocational

75.47%

No

16

Strayer University-Delaware

Newark

DE

N/A

4 year

0%

Yes

17

University of Delaware

Newark

DE

$15,407

4 year

91.49%

Yes

18

Wesley College

Dover

DE

N/A

4 year

54%

Yes

19

Widener University-Delaware Campus

Wilmington

DE

N/A

4 year

100%

Yes

20

Wilmington University

New Castle

DE

N/A

4 year

60.52%

Yes

Fun Facts about Delaware

What does “Delaware” mean? What makes Delaware unique? Here are some useful and fun facts about Delaware.

  • The name “Delaware” honors Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr. He was the first governor of Virginia.
  • In addition to the nickname “Small Wonder,” Delaware is known as “The First State.” Delaware was the first colony to ratify the Constitution of the United States.
  • Delaware is just 96 miles long. Depending on where you measure, it’s between nine and 35 miles wide. After Rhode Island it is America’s smallest state in terms of square miles.
  • For such a small state, Delaware is loaded with options for outdoor recreation. The northern part of the state has rolling hills and is ideal for hiking and biking. Central Delaware has beautiful waterways for kayaking and canoeing, and the southern part of the state features bays, dunes and Atlantic Coast beaches.
  • Delaware has one of the smallest populations among US states. In 2012 the census count was 917,092. However, it’s one of America’s most densely populated states; approximately 400 people occupy the average square mile.
  • Delaware has one of America’s highest concentrations of PhDs.
  • Save at the shops. Delaware is one of only five states that don’t charge sales tax.
  • The climate in Delaware is rather mild. More than half the days are sunny and temperatures rarely drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The typical temperature on a summer day is about 75 degrees.
  • The only Delaware city with more than 50,000 people is Wilmington – but driving just two hours from Delaware you can reach Baltimore, Philadelphia or Washington, DC.
  • Delaware’s History Trail features 36 points of interest such as restored 18th century towns, America’s oldest surviving courthouse, and the Golden Fleece Tavern. The Golden Fleece Tavern is where Delaware’s representatives ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1787.
  • Do you enjoy fine wines and craft beers? Delaware’s scenic Wine and Ale Trail features 17 breweries, wineries and spirit distilleries to help you unwind.

It’s a small state, but Delaware stands out for quality education and recreation. Make your list of best Delaware colleges today! Compare Delaware degree programs and certificate programs with help from CollegeStats.org.