Admit rate has ranged 39%–62% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Delaware State University, Dover's public HBCU, blends accessibility with ambition—a 54% acceptance rate masks its rapid academic ascent from 'College' to 'University' status. Known for tight-knit campus culture and pragmatic programs like aviation and psychology, it graduates 47% of students into modest early-career earnings ($36k).
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
4,398
In-state tuition
$10,670
Out-of-state tuition
$20,634
Top Majors
Psychology (8%), Social Sciences (7%)
Acceptance Rate
54.91%
Graduation Rate
47% (6-year)
Student-Faculty Ratio
Not stated in sources
On-Campus Housing Cost
$13,148/year
Median Early-Career Earnings
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$49,307
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.5×
Median debt at graduation
$26,000
Graduation rate
39%
First-year retention
70%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
31%
Pell (lower-income) share
69%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$8,417
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$72,022
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$45,584
Business Administration, Management and Operations$43,128
Accounting and Related Services$38,289
Political Science and Government$36,848
Public Health
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
34
Per 1,000 students
7.73
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
95
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
33°F
Annual rain
54"
Annual snow
9.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
132
Scholarly works
3,456
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Delaware State University?
Delaware State University's acceptance rate is approximately 47% (Dover, DE), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Delaware State University?
Admitted students at Delaware State University typically score 800–1020 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Delaware State University cost?
At Delaware State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $13,910 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Delaware State University?
Delaware State University enrolls approximately 4,398 undergraduate students.
Where is Delaware State University located?
Delaware State University is located in Dover, DE.
Admissions
Delaware State University maintains a moderately selective admissions process, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 47% (Niche) and 61.7% (PrepScholar). The middle 50% of admitted students typically score between 800-1020 on the SAT or 17-26 on the ACT, though Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies allow waivers for waitlisted applicants. Recent enrollment figures show 3,934 acceptances from 8,445 applications, with 4,581 ultimately enrolling—a YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate suggesting strong appeal among admitted students, particularly those drawn to its HBCU identity.
DSU offers over 60 academic paths across 17 departments, spanning from studio art to doctoral programs in high-level sciences. The curriculum leans pragmatic—psychology (8% of majors) and social sciences (7%) dominate, alongside career-ready tracks like public administration and aviation. Its evolution from 'College' to 'University' status in the past 15 years reflects growing ambitions, though the academic structure remains intimate, with 44 bachelor's programs distributed across just four colleges. Faculty focus on accessibility; one Facebook comment notes 'they've stepped up their game' in recent years.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$34,526
Social Work$32,925
Criminology$31,936
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus life thrives on communal energy—63% of students live on campus, fueling a scene where Greek life and cultural organizations anchor social activity. Described as 'welcoming and family-like' (Niche), the suburban Dover setting fosters tight bonds through 100+ clubs and D1 athletics (the Hornets compete in the MEAC). Housing costs average $13,148 annually, but the payoff is immersion in what students call a 'buzzing' environment where academic clubs and intramurals coexist with HBCU traditions.
Graduation rates reveal challenges—39% overall (bottom 20% nationally), with stark gender gaps (31% for men vs. 47% for women). The six-year rate inches up to 45%, still below state averages. Alumni earn median salaries of $36,427 one year post-graduation (near the national HBCU average), though the College Scorecard suggests some graduates outpace typical state high school earnings. Retention efforts appear uneven; one study notes just 32.9% of students graduate on time.
At $11,886 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. (after average aid packages of $11,949), DSU delivers relative affordability—89% of freshmen receive grants or scholarships. Full-time undergraduates pay $5,084.50 per semester for tuition plus $1,620 in fees, though the Net Price Calculator helps families anticipate true costs. Delaware residents benefit from in-state rates, while institutional scholarships (like the 'Opportunity Fund') target high-need students. The financial aid office emphasizes packaging aid to minimize loans.
DSU carves a niche as Delaware's sole public HBCU—a rising institution that balances open access (54% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants.) with growing research ambitions. Its aviation program and Dover proximity create pipeline careers, while homecoming and Greek life sustain vibrant Black cultural traditions. Though graduation rates lag, the university serves as a critical mobility engine: First-generation (first-gen)A student who would be the first in their immediate family to earn a four-year college degree. Many colleges consider this in context. students find mentorship in small classes, and alumni enter the workforce with less debt than many peers. For those seeking an intimate HBCU experience with state-school pricing, it's a compelling option.
Delaware State University logo · sourceDel State named among Top 50 Beautiful Campuses | Delaware State · sourceFacilities | Delaware State · sourceDelaware State University (1891- ) | BlackPast.org · source
