Delaware State University vs University of Delaware
Side-by-side college ROI comparison from College Scorecard data
Verdict
Delaware State University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to University of Delaware at 100.0%. Average median debt: Delaware State University at $25,802 vs University of Delaware at $25,044. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $57,700 vs $60,850.
| Metric | Delaware State University | University of Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| School Type | Public | Public |
| State | De | De |
| Avg Median Debt Average median debt across all tracked majors | $25,802 | $25,044* |
| Avg 1yr Earnings Average first-year earnings across all tracked majors | $57,700 | $60,850* |
| Majors Tracked | 20 | 20 |
| Best ROI Major | Computer Science (95/100) | Computer and Information Sciences (95/100) |
| Best Major Debt | $22,042 | $21,287* |
| Best Major 1yr Earnings | $95,000 | $95,000 |
Delaware State University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to University of Delaware at 100.0%. Average median debt: Delaware State University at $25,802 vs University of Delaware at $25,044. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $57,700 vs $60,850.
Explore More
Related Colleges
Avg debt $26K · $62K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $18K · $64K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $24K · $57K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $24K · $55K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $23K · $52K 1yr earnings
Delaware State University and University of Delaware graduate students at similar rates — 100.0% and 100.0% respectively. With completion rates comparable, the comparison reduces to cost, earnings, and program mix; the institutional-effect-on-completion question essentially nets out.
Average median debt is roughly even across Delaware State University and University of Delaware. The cost side of the comparison effectively cancels out; the meaningful question becomes whether the program mix and the earnings outcomes differ enough to break the tie.
Earnings outcomes track closely — Delaware State University and University of Delaware graduates report similar first-year wages. The school decision in cases like this is usually decided on non-financial axes (program quality, geography, fit) since the ROI math runs close enough to be inside the noise.
Both schools sit in De, which simplifies the in-state-vs-out-of-state tuition question and aligns the regional labor markets students will enter post-graduation. Cross-school comparisons within the same state should weight program mix and employer-pipeline depth heavily — the cost-of-living and labor-market backdrop is effectively held constant, so program-level differences are the differentiator.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.