by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Delaware? We have ranked 3 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 3 schools to build this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
After analyzing 3 schools in Delaware to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. View our full ranking methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Delaware. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public school based in Dover, DE. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,763 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $11,154. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,448 ten years after entry. Set against $11,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 3 schools in Delaware in this year's value ranking, Wilmington University landed the #2 spot. Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Castle, DE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Median earnings reach $53,844 ten years out. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Delaware State University one of the best values in Delaware. Based in Dover, DE, Delaware State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,333 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,307. That is a strong return on a $26,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Schilling Douglas School Of Hair Design Llc came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in Delaware. Schilling Douglas School Of Hair Design Llc is a private for-profit school based in Newark, DE. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $27,420.
Out of the 3 schools in Delaware in this year's value ranking, Dawn Career Institute Llc landed the #5 spot. Dawn Career Institute Llc is a private for-profit school based in Newark, DE. Typical student debt is $9,453. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,429. That is a strong return on a $9,453 median debt.
Delaware Learning Institute Of Cosmetology landed the #6 spot for value in Delaware this year. Based in Dagsboro, DE, Delaware Learning Institute Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $23,718 ten years out.
University Of Delaware offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $72,950 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. About 71% of those who apply are admitted.
Paul Mitchell The School Delaware offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This private for-profit school is set in Newark, DE. The median program debt is $15,374. Median earnings reach $32,242 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Goldey Beacom College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Goldey Beacom College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wilmington, DE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,940. The median program debt is $20,743. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,892. That is a strong return on a $20,743 median debt. Goldey Beacom College admits about 84% of applicants.
Delaware Technical Community College Central Office ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money.
Wesley College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking.
Margaret H Rollins School Of Nursing At Beebe Medical Center ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money.
All In The Wrist Barber Academy landed the #13 spot for value in Delaware this year.
Delaware College Of Art And Design came in at #14 in this year's value ranking.
Hair Academy School Of Barbering And Beauty offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position.
Strayer University Delaware placed #16 among the best values in Delaware.
Academy Of Massage And Bodywork ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money.
Polytech Adult Education placed #18 among the best values in Delaware.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 3 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.