About Delaware College of Art and Design
DCAD serves as a launching pad for aspiring artists in downtown Wilmington. The college enrolls just 104 students, creating an intimate creative community where everyone knows each other. Founded in 1997, this specialized institution focuses on associate degrees that prepare students for transfer to four-year art programs. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention from working artists and designers. Students dive deep into foundation courses while exploring specializations like illustration, graphic design, and fine arts.
The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $31,763, but graduates earn a median of just $35,036 ten years after starting college. The typical debt load stays manageable at $12,000, with monthly payments around $127. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's accessibility to lower-income families. The investment pays off better for students who transfer successfully to complete bachelor's degrees elsewhere.
Women make up 67% of the student body, while the school draws significant diversity with 30% Black students and 16% Hispanic students. Most students come from Delaware and surrounding states, with 68% choosing in-state enrollment. The graduation rate of 41% reflects the challenges many art students face, though 85% of graduates find employment in their field.
The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $31,763, but graduates earn a median of just $35,036 ten years after starting college. The typical debt load stays manageable at $12,000, with monthly payments around $127. About 40% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's accessibility to lower-income families. The investment pays off better for students who transfer successfully to complete bachelor's degrees elsewhere.
Women make up 67% of the student body, while the school draws significant diversity with 30% Black students and 16% Hispanic students. Most students come from Delaware and surrounding states, with 68% choosing in-state enrollment. The graduation rate of 41% reflects the challenges many art students face, though 85% of graduates find employment in their field.
Academics & Faculty
Delaware College of Art and Design operates as a specialized two-year art school that serves as a stepping stone to four-year programs. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors work closely with just 104 total students, providing intensive mentorship in studio practices. However, the 41% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many art students face balancing creative development with academic requirements. The college focuses on foundation-level courses in drawing, painting, graphic design, and digital arts. Students typically transfer to strong art schools after completing their associate degrees. The small cohort size creates a tight-knit creative community where collaboration happens naturally. Most graduates continue their education rather than entering the workforce immediately.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 27.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 41.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $35,036
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $15,922 |
| Graphic Communications. | Associate | $12,221 |
Campus Life
Delaware College of Art and Design houses just 83 students on campus, creating an intimate dorm experience where about 80% of the tiny student body lives together. The compact campus sits in downtown Wilmington, roughly 30 minutes from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City. Students bundle up for cold Delaware winters but enjoy mild springs and falls perfect for sketching outdoors.
With only 104 total students and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, everyone knows everyone. The heavily female student body (67% women) creates a tight-knit community where upperclassmen mentor newcomers. Students spend weekends exploring Wilmington's Riverfront or taking day trips to Philly's strong art museums. The school's semester calendar allows for intensive studio work, with many students pulling late nights in shared creative spaces. Founded in 1997 as a transfer-focused institution, DCAD operates more like an art boot camp than a traditional college. Students treat their two years here as preparation for transferring to competitive four-year art programs, making academics the primary weekend activity.
With only 104 total students and a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, everyone knows everyone. The heavily female student body (67% women) creates a tight-knit community where upperclassmen mentor newcomers. Students spend weekends exploring Wilmington's Riverfront or taking day trips to Philly's strong art museums. The school's semester calendar allows for intensive studio work, with many students pulling late nights in shared creative spaces. Founded in 1997 as a transfer-focused institution, DCAD operates more like an art boot camp than a traditional college. Students treat their two years here as preparation for transferring to competitive four-year art programs, making academics the primary weekend activity.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 83 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1997
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 23°–37°F
- July Avg
- 67°–84°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 50.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 12.0"
Student Demographics
Delaware College of Art and Design draws two-thirds women, reflecting the strong female participation in visual arts education. Nearly 30% of students are Black and 16% are Hispanic, making this one of the more diverse art schools in the region. Two-thirds come from Delaware, showing the college serves as a local pipeline for creative careers. With 40% receiving Pell Grants, the school attracts students from working-class families who see art as their path forward. The small size of 104 students creates an intimate creative community where emerging artists develop their portfolios together.
- Men
- 32.7%
- Women
- 67.3%
- White
- 40.4%
- Black
- 29.8%
- Hispanic
- 16.4%
- Asian
- 1.0%
- In-State Students
- 67.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 40.2%
Location
Delaware College of Art and Design sits in Wilmington, Delaware's largest city with around 70,000 residents. The school operates just 30 miles southwest of Philadelphia, putting students within easy reach of major museums and galleries. Wilmington serves as a corporate center, hosting numerous Fortune 500 companies due to Delaware's business-friendly laws. The city blends urban amenities with a manageable scale that suits DCAD's intimate 104-student enrollment. Students can access internships at nearby DuPont or visit Philadelphia's well-known art scene via a quick train ride. The Mid-Atlantic location provides four distinct seasons and proximity to both New York City and Washington DC. Students considering colleges in Delaware may also compare Delaware College of Art and Design with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Wilmington, Delaware 19801-3007
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $35,036
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $26,283
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $25,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 51.5%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $127/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $12,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Delaware College of Art and Design?
Delaware College of Art and Design admits 57% of applicants. The school maintains selective admissions while serving as a focused pathway for aspiring artists in the mid-Atlantic region.
How much does Delaware College of Art and Design cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $31,763 annually. About 55% of students receive institutional grants averaging $12,478, helping offset the $47,680 total cost of attendance.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Delaware College of Art and Design?
The college maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with just 104 total students. This intimate setting allows for intensive mentorship in studio-based learning typical of specialized art programs.
What are typical earnings for Delaware College of Art and Design graduates?
Graduates earn a median of $35,036 ten years after starting college. The 85% employment rate reflects strong job placement in creative fields, though artistic careers often involve variable income patterns.
Does Delaware College of Art and Design offer on-campus housing?
The college provides housing for 83 students with room and board costing $14,200 annually. Most of the 68% in-state students can commute from the greater Wilmington area.
Is Delaware College of Art and Design a transfer-focused program?
The school offers associate degrees designed for transfer to four-year art programs with a 41% six-year graduation rate. Founded in 1997, it serves as a stepping stone for students seeking intensive foundational art training before continuing their education.
