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.
