At $16,931/yr net price, University of Delaware graduates earn $72,950/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $38,950/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,931 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $67,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,950/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$38,950/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 78.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,572 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,354/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,573/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,857/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,508/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,310/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $93,342 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $86,424 | $28,282 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $73,446 | $79,718 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $70,176 | $25,261 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $68,698 | $25,954 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $67,101 | $25,182 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,401 | $26,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $64,990 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $62,632 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
78.8% of students at University of Delaware graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 21% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Delaware gives you a solid financial return. A median $72,950 salary ten years out against roughly $25k in debt means your loan load stays below one year of post-graduation pay, which is the threshold most advisors want you to clear. The 90% retention and 79% graduation rates matter here because they mean you're likely to actually finish and start earning, not drop out with debt and no degree.
The technical and health majors carry the ROI. Computer and Information Sciences, Nursing, and Management Information Systems all clear $67k, and chemical and electrical engineering land close behind. These pay off in the Delaware-Philadelphia-Baltimore corridor, where chemical engineering has deep regional demand and nursing hires locally without you relocating. Notice the debt is nearly identical across these programs (around $25k), so the higher-earning majors give you more return for the same borrowing.
The risk is what's not listed. No liberal arts, education, or humanities earnings appear in the top programs, so if you're heading into those fields you should assume your return sits below the $72,950 median while your debt stays the same. Borrowing $25k for a chemical engineering salary is very different from borrowing $25k for a field with no data here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. Under $30k, you pay about $9,400. over $110k, you pay $25,310, close to the sticker cost. The jump from the $48-75k tier to the $75-110k tier is the steepest, going from about $12,900 to $18,500, so middle-income families feel the aid cliff most.
This school fits you if you're going into computing, engineering, or nursing and qualify for the lower price tiers. If you're paying full freight for a non-technical major, run your specific numbers before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Delaware worth the cost for most students?
University of Delaware offers decent value with a net price of $16,931 and 10-year earnings of $72,950. The debt-to-income ratio is reasonable at $24,572 median debt, making it worth the cost for most in-state students.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Delaware?
Nursing programs top the earnings at $93,342, followed by business administration at $86,424. Computer science graduates earn around $70,176, while rehabilitation professions average $73,446.
How much debt do University of Delaware graduates typically have?
The median debt is $24,572, which is manageable given the average graduate earns $72,950 within 10 years. This debt load represents about one-third of annual earnings for most graduates.
Does University of Delaware have good job placement and graduation rates?
The 78.8% graduation rate is solid but not exceptional. With 10-year earnings averaging nearly $73,000, most graduates find decent employment, though outcomes vary significantly by major.