University of Delaware: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Newark, Delaware · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
69%
39,742 applicants
Median SAT
1300
Mid 50: 1220–1370
In-state tuition
$16,810
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$17,799
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

University of Delaware is a public university in Newark, Delaware that admits about 69% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $17,799 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Finance and Financial Management Services, Research and Experimental Psychology and Marketing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 81% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

University of Delaware is a public institution located in Newark, Delaware with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Delaware admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 69%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1300 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,799 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for University of Delaware?

51% of enrolled students at University of Delaware had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.98, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
51.0%
3.75–3.99
22.0%
3.50–3.74
20.0%
3.25–3.49
4.0%
3.00–3.24
2.0%
2.50–2.99
1.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Delaware.

What does University of Delaware weight in admissions?

University of Delaware reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important3 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • State residency
Important7 factors
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

SAT and ACT scores University of Delaware typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 628. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1220
50th percentile1300
75th percentile1370
% submitting SAT19.1%
ACT Composite
25th percentile28
50th percentile30
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT2.8%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class31.5%
Top 25% of class64.2%
Top 50% of class92.4%
% submitting class rank36.4%

How much does University of Delaware actually cost?

Published tuition is $16,810 for in-state students and $41,400 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,386 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,799 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 16% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$15,280
Out-of-state tuition$40,840
Room and board$15,974
Average net price (after aid)$17,799
Application fee$75 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Delaware

Regular admission
Regular deadlineNovember 15
Reply deadlineMay 1
Rolling admissionsYes
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from University of Delaware?

These predict outcomes at University of Delaware better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
92%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
71.78%
finished on time
6-year graduation
80.69%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at University of Delaware

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Delaware, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Research and Experimental Psychology and Marketing. Across all programs, University of Delaware confers roughly 1,706 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $99,240 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Finance and Financial Management Services310$99,240
Research and Experimental Psychology234$61,576
Marketing216$97,490
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness210$81,053
Biology, General196$78,770
Communication and Media Studies188$75,745
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing177$93,619
Public Health175$63,636
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of Delaware safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Delaware disclosed 38 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 10 violent offenses and 15 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
38
2.0 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
10
0.52 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
15
0.79 per 1,000
Burglary
6
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 19,071 enrolled.

What is campus life like at University of Delaware?

About 37% of undergraduates at University of Delaware live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 20% of men join a fraternity and 25% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
37%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
20%
of men
In sororities
25%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Delaware.

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

Next steps for University of Delaware

Common questions parents ask about University of Delaware

What GPA do I need for University of Delaware?

51% of enrolled students at University of Delaware had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.98, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Delaware typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–680, with an EBRW midpoint near 628. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32.

How much does University of Delaware actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Delaware after grants and scholarships is $17,799 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $16,810 and $41,400 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is University of Delaware realistic for my child?

University of Delaware admits 69% of applicants, so 590–680 SAT Math is target range and below 590 is a reach. Then check the $17,799 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Delaware?

University of Delaware accepts about 69% of applicants out of roughly 39,742 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is University of Delaware test-optional?

Yes. University of Delaware is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at University of Delaware?

About 81% of students at University of Delaware graduate within six years, and 72% finish in four years. 92% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does University of Delaware look for in applicants?

University of Delaware rates course rigor, GPA and state residency as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is University of Delaware a public or private school, and where is it located?

University of Delaware is a public institution located in Newark, Delaware.

What are the most popular majors at University of Delaware?

The largest undergraduate majors at University of Delaware by annual graduates are Finance and Financial Management Services, Research and Experimental Psychology and Marketing. The school awards about 1,706 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is University of Delaware safe? What is its campus crime rate?

University of Delaware reported 38 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at University of Delaware?

At University of Delaware, 37% of undergraduates live on campus, 20% of men are in fraternities, 25% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Delaware, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers