University of Delaware Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 02/2025)

The University of Delaware is a public research university in Newark, Delaware known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and science. It offers more than 150 majors, along with robust research opportunities. The university also has a vibrant student life, with more than 400 student-led organizations and clubs on campus. Here’s an overview of University of Delaware tuition costs for both in-state and out-of-state students, housing and other costs, as well as Delaware’s acceptance rate.

Total Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid

At the University of Delaware, 92% of students take out some form of financial aid. This might be in the form of student loans, grants, scholarships, or a combination of those different types of aid to help pay for University of Delaware costs.

For instance, 18% of Delaware students have Pell Grants, a type of federal funding for undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education — Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) — A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  SoFi Scholarship Finder — Use our handy tool to streamline your search by award type, location, level of study, and more.

Recommended: Delaware Student Loans & Scholarships

Private Student Loans

Many students at the University of Delaware take out student loans to help cover Delaware tuition. That includes 55% of students who take out federal student loans, and 13% who take out private student loans. Those private loans average $25,162 per academic year.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The University of Delaware costs for four years, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other expenses would be $134,872 for Delaware residents (based on 2023-24 numbers). This is somewhat higher than the national average of $115,369 for in-state students at public universities.

For residents of other states, the four-year total cost of the University of Delaware would be $229,432, which is more than the national average for out-of-state students at public universities of $186,920.

This student loan and scholarship information may be valuable as you research schools and costs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2023-24

The University of Delaware tuition for in-state students in 2023-24 was $16,080, which is higher than the national average of $11,260 for in-state tuition at public institutions.

The University of Delaware out-of-state tuition was $39,720, which is higher than the national average for out-of-state tuition of $29,150.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

The average cost to attend graduate school at the University of Delaware, including tuition and fees, was $19,546 in 2023-24. This is lower than the average annual graduate school tuition and fees in the U.S., which is $21,730.

There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

For students who opt to attend University of Delaware on a part-time basis, which would be less than 12 credits per semester, the cost per credit hour is $608 for Delaware residents and $1,633 for out-of-state residents.

Campus Housing Expenses

Freshmen and first-year students are required to live on campus in one of the university’s 11 first-year residence halls. The University of Delaware offers traditional, suite-style, and apartment-style residences.

After the first year, there are many duplexes, apartments, and houses located close to the university for those who choose to live off-campus.

University of Delaware Acceptance Rate

Admission Requirements

Here’s what you’ll need to submit along with your application if you’re applying for admission to the University of Delaware.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Non-refundable $75 application fee

Optional:

•  SAT or ACT scores

•  Up to two letters of recommendation

The deadline for Early Action is November 1, and a decision will be given by January 31. The deadline for regular admission is January 15; decisions will be given by mid-March.

SAT and ACT Scores

Although standardized test scores are not required at the University of Delaware, it can be helpful to see the scores of students who opted to submit their scores and were accepted to the school. These are the standardized test scores at the 25th and 75th percentile for students who enrolled in the fall of 2023.

Popular Majors at the University of Delaware

The University of Delaware has an emphasis on business and science programs, but it offers much more. Here are some of the most popular majors.

1. Finance

Finance students learn financial strategies and concepts that they can use in careers in the private sector, government, consulting firms, public companies, or nonprofits.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 273

2. Psychology

Psych majors take courses like Adolescent Development and Educational Psychology, Research Methods, Measurement and Statistics, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 215

3. Nursing

Future nurses take classes like Family Health & Wellness, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and Nursing Care of Children. They also get hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art clinical simulation laboratory and resource center on campus.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 196

4. Marketing

Students in this program learn about pricing, distributing, and promoting products, as well as how to leverage marketing and advertising techniques to build brand awareness. They go on to become market research analysts, media planners, social media coordinators, brand managers, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 192

5. Communication

Those pursuing a Communications degree gain knowledge and skills in oral communication, video production, broadcast journalism, and public relations. This prepares them for careers in fields such as public relations, journalism, higher education, and public policy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 185

6. Biology

Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in biology, which is the study of living organisms and their environments. The B.A. provides excellent preparation for advanced study in graduate school or professional programs; the B.S. offers the opportunity for highly motivated students to pursue the curriculum in greater depth.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 169

7. Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering majors learn about the design and analysis of machines, structures, and materials, as well as the principles of physics and materials science. Areas of study include Fluid Mechanics, Materials, Dynamics, Biomechanical Engineering, and Clean Energy and Environment.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 136

8. Computer Science

Coursework in this program includes Data Structures; Computers, Ethics, and Society; Probability Theory and Simulation Methods; Operating Systems; and Logic and Programming.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 134

9. Criminal Justice

Students take such classes as Problems of Corrections, Sociological Research, Abnormal Psychology, Constitutional Law, and Problems of Law Enforcement as they work to earn their Criminal Justice degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 129

10. Exercise Science

This is a pre-professional program that prepares students to go on to graduate studies in physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, medical and dental school, or advanced graduate training in exercise science.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 107

Graduation Rate

Although many University of Delaware students complete their degree in four years, some students take six years to finish. Here are the graduation rates at the University of Delaware for students who began in the fall of 2017:

•  4 years: 72%

•  6 years: 81%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

University of Delaware graduates earn a median annual salary of $72,950. This is significantly higher than the median annual salary for all graduates of four-year colleges, which is $53,747.