Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 42.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 38.7%
- Retention Rate
- 72.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $49,307
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 31.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $72,022 | $29,930 |
| Social Work. | Master | $47,260 | $31,272 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $45,584 | $25,401 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $43,128 | $25,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $38,289 | $25,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $36,848 | $25,000 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor | $34,526 | $25,872 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $32,925 | $22,503 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $31,936 | $26,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,167 | $26,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $29,092 | $25,000 |
| Agriculture, General. | Bachelor | $28,309 | $21,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $27,729 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $26,000 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $26,353 |
Outcomes Overview
Delaware State graduates earn a median of $49,307 ten years after graduation, while carrying $26,000 in debt. The debt-to-income ratio of 53% sits above the national average for public HBCUs. Monthly loan payments of $276 consume roughly 7% of typical graduate earnings. The university's strong agriculture and education programs funnel graduates into teaching, government, and agricultural sectors that offer stable but modest compensation. Delaware State's 94% employment rate demonstrates graduates find work, though the 31% loan repayment rate suggests many struggle with payments early in their careers. Given the debt burden relative to earning potential, this represents an average return on investment for students seeking affordable access to higher education.