by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Delaware, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **3** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 3 colleges using more than 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.
Your ideal college depends on your goals. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Looking to pit your favorite colleges against each other? We built a tool called College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found University Of Delaware to be the best college in Delaware. Set in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. University Of Delaware students take on a median of $24,861 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Wilmington University earned it the #2 place in Delaware. Wilmington University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Castle, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Early-career graduates earn a median of $57,142. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 3 colleges in Delaware in this year's ranking, Goldey Beacom College landed the #3 spot. Goldey Beacom College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wilmington, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,940. Median early-career earnings reach $57,634. The median student debt is $20,743.
Out of the 3 colleges in Delaware in this year's ranking, Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #4 spot. 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. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,322. The median student debt is $11,154.
The strong outcomes at Delaware State University earned it the #5 place in Delaware. Based in Dover, DE, Delaware State University is a public institution. Delaware State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,572. Typical student debt is $26,333.
Strayer University Delaware placed #6 among the best colleges in Delaware. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,506 early in their careers. The median student debt is $47,631.
Margaret H Rollins School Of Nursing At Beebe Medical Center placed #7 among the best colleges in Delaware. Set in Lewes, DE, Margaret H Rollins School Of Nursing At Beebe Medical Center is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,000. Students borrow a median of $12,783 to complete a degree here.
Polytech Adult Education ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Woodside, DE, Polytech Adult Education is a public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,418 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $10,599 in student loans.
Academy Of Massage And Bodywork came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Academy Of Massage And Bodywork is a private for-profit school based in Bear, DE. Graduates go on to earn a median of $17,763 early in their careers. Academy Of Massage And Bodywork students take on a median of $6,672 in debt.
Paul Mitchell The School Delaware ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This private for-profit school is set in Newark, DE. Paul Mitchell The School Delaware graduates report median early-career earnings of $19,975. Paul Mitchell The School Delaware students take on a median of $15,374 in debt.
Delaware Learning Institute Of Cosmetology came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Dagsboro, DE, Delaware Learning Institute Of Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution.
Dawn Career Institute Llc did well this year, earning the #12 position. Dawn Career Institute Llc is a private for-profit school based in Newark, DE. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,822 early in their careers. Dawn Career Institute Llc students take on a median of $9,453 in debt.
Schilling Douglas School Of Hair Design Llc landed the #13 spot in Delaware this year. Schilling Douglas School Of Hair Design Llc is a private for-profit school based in Newark, DE.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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.