Delaware may be one of the smallest states in the US, but it punches well above its weight in higher education. The University of Delaware — home to the #1 chemical engineering undergraduate program in the US and the Biden School of Public Policy — leads a compact but high-quality higher education system that includes Delaware State University, a historic HBCU with a unique aviation program.
Best Universities in Delaware 2026
Wesley College
Location: Dover | Type: Private | Founded: 1873 | Tuition: $21,000/yr
Wesley College is a private United Methodist liberal arts college founded in 1873 in Dover, Delaware’s state capital. Enrolling 1,500 students, Wesley is known for business, nursing, education, and environmental science programs with a strong Methodist tradition in Delaware’s capital city.nnProgramsBusiness Administration — Business programs…
Programs: Business & Finance, Education, Liberal Arts, Medicine & Health Sciences
Goldey-Beacom College
Location: Wilmington | Type: Private | Founded: 1886 | Tuition: $21,000/yr
Goldey-Beacom College is a private business-focused college founded in 1886 in Wilmington, Delaware. The only AACSB-accredited business college in Delaware focused exclusively on business education, GBC enrolls 1,500 students and is known for finance, accounting, and MBA programs with direct Wilmington corporate connections.nnProgramsFinance — Investment…
Programs: Business & Finance, Liberal Arts, Social Work & Humanities
Wilmington University
Location: New Castle | Type: Private | Founded: 1968 | Tuition: $13,000/yr
Wilmington University is a private nonprofit university founded in 1968 in New Castle, Delaware. The largest private university in Delaware, Wilmington enrolls 20,000+ students (primarily adult learners) and is known for nursing, business, education, IT, and criminal justice programs at some of the most affordable…
Programs: Business & Finance, Liberal Arts, Medicine & Health Sciences, Social Work & Humanities
Delaware State University
Location: Dover | Type: Public | Founded: 1891 | Tuition: $9,800/yr
Delaware State University (DSU) is a public HBCU founded in 1891 in Dover, Delaware — the only public HBCU in Delaware and the state’s 1890 land-grant institution. Enrolling 5,000 students, DSU is known for business, education, nursing, and uniquely, aviation (one of the few HBCUs…
Programs: Agriculture & Environment, Aviation, Business & Finance, Education
University of Delaware
Location: Newark | Type: Public | Founded: 1743 | Tuition: $15,670/yr
The University of Delaware (UD) is a public research university founded in 1743 in Newark, Delaware — one of the oldest universities in the United States. Enrolling 24,000 students, UD is known for chemical engineering (consistently #1 nationally for chemical engineering undergraduate programs), marine science,…
Programs: Business & Finance, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Science & Research
Top Community Colleges in Delaware 2026
Community colleges in Delaware offer affordable pathways with transfer agreements to all major state universities.
How to Choose a University in Delaware
Consider your major, tuition, accreditations, location, and career outcomes when selecting a Delaware university. Compare financial aid packages and campus culture.
- Tuition: Compare in-state vs out-of-state rates and financial aid generosity.
- Accreditation: AACSB (business), ABET (engineering), CCNE (nursing).
- Location: Proximity to employers and internship opportunities.
- Campus Fit: Visit to find the environment where you will thrive.
Delaware’s proximity to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC creates exceptional career and internship opportunities for students. The state’s corporate-friendly climate, anchored by DuPont and Wilmington’s financial sector, offers some of the best graduate employment prospects on the East Coast.
Browse our complete Delaware university directory.
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