Admit rate has ranged 65%–74% 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.
The University of Delaware blends the intimacy of a mid-sized public university with the resources of a research powerhouse, anchored by its world-renowned art conservation program and a surprisingly robust Greek scene (despite the lack of traditional frat houses). With a 69% acceptance rate and a student body that's two-thirds out-of-state, UD offers a classic college experience where business majors rub shoulders with future museum curators, all within a campus that's equal parts historic charm and cutting-edge labs.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
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
19,071
In-state tuition
$16,810
Out-of-state tuition
$41,400
Acceptance Rate
69% (2025)
Signature Program
#1 Art Conservation
Most Popular Major
Business
4-Year Graduation Rate
81%
Out-of-State Enrollment
66%
Greek Life Participation
37%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$72,950
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.1×
Median debt at graduation
$24,572
Graduation rate
81%
First-year retention
92%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
80%
Pell (lower-income) share
28%
First-generation share
17%
Endowment / student
$101,190
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$70,176
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$68,698
Management Information Systems and Services$67,101
Chemical Engineering$66,401
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$63,005
Mechanical Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
13
Per 1,000 students
0.68
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
90
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
30°F
Annual rain
54.2"
Annual snow
12.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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
709
Scholarly works
96,377
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.9%
Bottom → top quintile
39%
From bottom quintile
2%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Delaware?
University of Delaware's acceptance rate is approximately 71% (Newark, DE), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Delaware?
Admitted students at University of Delaware typically score 1190–1370 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Delaware cost?
At University of Delaware, the average net price (after aid) is about $17,799 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Delaware?
University of Delaware enrolls approximately 19,071 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Delaware located?
University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE.
Admissions
UD's admissions process leans moderately selective, with a 69% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. for Fall 2025 applicants (30,773 offers from 41,505 applications). The mid-50% SAT range falls between 1220-1370, while ACT equivalents land at 27-31. Admitted students typically boast weighted GPAs between 3.68-4.22. Notably, the university practices SAT superscoring and offers deferred admission options. Delaware residents enjoy preferential treatment—they constituted just 10% of applicants but received 86% admission rates compared to 73% for out-of-state candidates.
UD's academic portfolio spans 150+ majors across seven colleges, with particular strength in business (the most popular major) and its crown jewel: the nation's top-ranked art conservation program. The College of Arts & Sciences alone offers 170+ majors, while cross-college initiatives like the Biden School of Public Policy leverage interdisciplinary resources. Undergraduate research opportunities abound, reflecting UD's Carnegie R1 research status. The curriculum balances practical preparation (91% of graduates employed or in grad school) with discovery-based learning in labs and fieldwork.
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.
$62,632
Accounting and Related Services$62,491
Finance and Financial Management Services$60,552
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.
Greek life dominates weekends at UD—37% of students join sororities or fraternities, though a Y2K-era ban on standalone frat houses gives the scene a more decentralized vibe. Campus housing accommodates 37% of undergraduates, with most upperclassmen migrating to Newark apartments. Traditions like the Twilight Induction Ceremony and Senior Week foster school spirit, while 400+ student organizations range from cultural clubs to research symposiums. The Division of Student Life emphasizes holistic development through equity initiatives and experiential learning programs.
UD graduates outperform national averages with an 81% four-year graduation rate (vs. 59% midpoint for public colleges) and 77% six-year rate. Median debt at graduation sits at $24,572—below the national average—while the Wall Street Journal ranks UD #48 for graduate salaries. The university's career outcomes dashboard tracks graduates across disciplines, with particularly strong placement for healthcare, engineering, and education majors. Notably, 91% of College of Arts & Sciences alumni secure employment or continue education shortly after graduation.
For 2023-24, UD's Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. averages $21,977 after aid—slightly above the national midpoint. Out-of-state students face significantly higher sticker prices but can access merit scholarships ranging from $5,000-$15,000 annually. The university meets 81% of demonstrated financial need on average, with aid packages combining grants, work-study, and loans. Delaware residents benefit from substantial state subsidies, while international students compete for limited prestigious scholarships like the World Scholars Program.
UD carves a unique niche as the 'Goldilocks' state flagship—large enough to offer Big Ten-level research opportunities (including Biden School partnerships) but small enough to maintain a cohesive campus culture. Its art conservation program rivals Ivy League offerings, while the Greek system thrives despite unconventional housing constraints. The 4:1 student-faculty ratio in key programs like engineering fosters mentorship rare for public universities. With one of the nation's highest out-of-state enrollment percentages (66%), UD delivers a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe within Delaware's quaint college town setting.
University of Delaware logo · sourceTop-ranked University | UDaily · sourceGetting To Know: University of Delaware-Again - Educated Quest · sourceUniversity of Delaware — Laird Campus Housing — Ayers Saint Gross · source
