by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Delaware ranks #1 of 13 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Delaware ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 13 colleges average a 50% six-year graduation rate and $51,434 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. Our ranking highlights **13** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 13 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.
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University Of Delaware leads the 13 ranked colleges in Delaware, followed by Wilmington University (#2) and Delaware Technical Community College Terry (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than University Of Delaware this year 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.
A rank of #2 makes Wilmington University one of the top colleges 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.
You'll be in good company at Delaware Technical Community College Terry, which ranked #3 this year. 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.
You'll be in good company at Goldey Beacom College, which ranked #4 this year. 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 13 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. 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 landed the #6 spot in Delaware this year. 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 did well this year, earning the #7 position. 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 placed #8 among the best colleges in Delaware. 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 placed #9 among the best colleges in Delaware. 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 came in at #10 in this year's ranking. 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 landed the #12 spot in Delaware this year. 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 did well this year, earning the #13 position. 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), 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.