University of Delaware
University of Delaware — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Delaware at a Glance
The University of Delaware is a privately governed, state-assisted land-grant research university in Newark, Delaware, United States. UD offers 4 associate programs, 163 bachelor's programs, 136 master's programs, and 64 doctoral programs across its ten colleges and schools. The main campus is in Newark, with satellite campuses in Dover, Wilmington, Lewes, and Georgetown. With 24,221 students as of fall 2023, UD is the largest university in Delaware by enrollment.
1743
283 years old
$2.1B
$2.06 billion (2025)
23,457
19,071 undergrad · 4,386 grad
1,328
1,996 acres
80+
Identity
Is University of Delaware Worth It?
University of Delaware is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $17,799/year net price and $72,950 median earnings, graduates earn 4.1× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 80% graduation rate means roughly 20% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: University of Delaware delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How University of Delaware compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #7 of 25 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | University of Illinois Chicago | 95 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
| #4 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
| #5 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | 93 | $16,504 | $84,276 |
| #6 | University of California-Riverside | 90 | $14,304 | $67,699 |
| #7 | University of Delaware | 82 | $17,799 | $72,950 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Delaware's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Delaware
The highest-earning program at University of Delaware is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $68,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management at $23,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from University of Delaware earns $68,200, while a Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management graduate earns $23,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,023 in median debt vs. $23,991 for Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,799/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,200 | $68,200 | $24,023 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $67,600 | $67,600 | $23,999 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $66,400 | $66,400 | $24,203 |
| Chemical Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $26,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,100 | $62,100 | $25,226 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,600 | $61,600 | $26,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $59,300 | $59,300 | $25,316 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,900 | $58,900 | $24,360 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $58,200 | $58,200 | $25,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $53,400 | $53,400 | $25,178 |
| Economics | $49,000 | $49,000 | $23,991 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $48,800 | $48,800 | $23,250 |
| Marketing | $47,300 | $47,300 | $24,388 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $47,100 | $47,100 | $23,250 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $44,900 | $44,900 | $24,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,100 | $42,100 | $24,491 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $42,100 | $42,100 | $24,388 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $40,100 | $40,100 | $24,000 |
| Criminology | $36,100 | $36,100 | $23,250 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,600 | $35,600 | $23,250 |
| Biology, General | $33,600 | $33,600 | $24,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $32,800 | $32,800 | $24,731 |
| Human Services, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $23,250 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,200 | $31,200 | $24,388 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $31,000 | $31,000 | $23,250 |
| Public Health | $27,200 | $27,200 | $23,296 |
| Sociology | $27,100 | $27,100 | $20,845 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,800 | $25,800 | $24,052 |
| History | $25,300 | $25,300 | $23,991 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $25,200 | $25,200 | $23,250 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $23,700 | $23,700 | $23,991 |
Similar Colleges in DE
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Newark, DE
- Student Body
- 19,071 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,799
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $72,950
- Median Student Debt
- $24,572