by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Delaware ranks #1 of 6 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Delaware ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 6 colleges average a 50% six-year graduation rate and $63,850 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Delaware, narrowing things down is no easy task. This list ranks **6** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 6 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
University Of Delaware leads the 6 ranked colleges in Delaware, followed by Wilmington University (#2) and Goldey Beacom College (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found University Of Delaware to be the best college in Delaware. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Median early-career earnings reach $54,155. Typical student debt is $24,861.
Wilmington University came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Delaware. Based in New Castle, DE, Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,630. Wilmington University graduates report median early-career earnings of $57,142. Wilmington University students take on a median of $26,054 in debt.
Out of the 6 colleges in Delaware in this year's ranking, Goldey Beacom College landed the #3 spot. Set in Wilmington, DE, Goldey Beacom College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,940 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,634. Goldey Beacom College students take on a median of $20,743 in debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Delaware. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a public school based in Dover, DE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,322. Typical student debt is $11,154.
Out of the 6 colleges in Delaware in this year's ranking, Delaware State University landed the #5 spot. Based in Dover, DE, Delaware State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,670, with out-of-state students paying around $20,634. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,572 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,333 to complete a degree here.
Strayer University Delaware did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Wilmington, DE, Strayer University Delaware is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $58,506. The median student debt is $47,631.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.