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University of Delaware

#80 in US ranking Newark, DE
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Delaware award
University of Delaware award

Cost

Cost / year
$30,294
Tuition & fees
$17,660
Avg. aid
$14,145
Receiving aid
94%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
71%
SAT range
1190–1370
ACT range
28–32

Outcomes

Graduation rate
81%
Median salary
$54,209
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of Delaware?

The University of Delaware is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from the specialized accreditation that may apply to an individual degree program.

That distinction matters most in fields with licensing or professional-entry rules. UD programs in areas such as engineering, business, nursing, and education may be subject to different specialized review or state approval requirements. Applicants should check the exact program and credential, particularly if they intend to seek a license in another state. Institutional accreditation is also relevant to federal student-aid eligibility and may matter when another college reviews transfer credit, but it does not guarantee that a specific course will transfer or satisfy a licensing requirement.

What are the admission requirements at University of Delaware?

First-year applicants to the University of Delaware submit an undergraduate application and academic records showing completion of secondary school or an accepted equivalent. UD reviews school performance and preparation rather than admitting everyone who meets a single published threshold.

The application process calls for a secondary-school transcript and considers GPA and college-preparatory coursework. Recommendations are part of the reported admissions requirements; applicants should follow the current application's instructions for the number and type requested. UD has considered SAT and ACT scores without requiring them in its reported admissions data, so applicants should check the policy for their entry term before deciding whether to send scores. Among enrolled first-time students in that reporting cycle, about 19% submitted SAT scores, which means the reported score distribution describes only a subset of the class.

Applicants whose education has not been conducted in English may need to document English proficiency through an accepted test or another approved route. Some majors have additional prerequisites or review procedures. Early and regular application rounds have different deadlines, and transfer and graduate applicants follow separate processes. The current admissions instructions for the intended term should govern decisions about essays, testing, deadlines, and any program-specific materials.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of Delaware?

The reported standard undergraduate application fee for the University of Delaware is $75. It is an application charge, not an enrollment deposit or a payment toward tuition.

Applicants with financial need may be able to request an application-fee waiver through the application process or an applicable admissions waiver procedure. Because waiver questions and supporting requirements can vary by application route, an applicant who needs one should resolve the request before paying and submitting the application. Graduate and other specialized applications may use different fees; those applicants should use the charge displayed for their particular program rather than assuming the undergraduate amount applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of Delaware?

University of Delaware students have access to Army and Air Force ROTC units on campus. Navy ROTC participation is reported through a cooperating host institution rather than a UD-based Navy unit.

ROTC combines college coursework and military training with a potential path to an officer's commission. Participation in a class is not the same as receiving an ROTC scholarship, and scholarship recipients or students who contract with a branch may incur service obligations. Students considering a branch should confirm cross-enrollment logistics, physical and academic eligibility, scholarship terms, and the location of required activities with the relevant ROTC unit before building a course schedule.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of Delaware?

The University of Delaware admits transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally considers college credits earned at accredited institutions. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of particular courses toward a UD degree are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from every college attended; high-school records may also be relevant, particularly for applicants with less college coursework or for specific programs. Academic preparation and available space can affect admission to a chosen major. UD maintains transfer-credit resources that can help applicants compare previous courses with UD offerings, but a preliminary equivalency is not a final degree audit.

UD reports accepting certain CLEP examinations and credit evaluated under American Council on Education recommendations, subject to its credit policies. Students should also check how many credits their major requires at UD and whether a course can satisfy a major requirement rather than only an elective. An official evaluation after admission is the decisive way to see how accepted credits apply to the intended degree.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of Delaware?

The University of Delaware offers study-abroad opportunities that include academic-term programs and shorter programs, including faculty-led options. Its international education history is notable: UD launched a study-abroad program in 1923, an early example of organized U.S. undergraduate study overseas.

Available destinations and course offerings change by term. A student may need departmental approval to ensure overseas courses count toward a major, minor, or general-education requirement. Program costs also vary: tuition arrangements, housing, travel, insurance, and personal spending may not match a semester in Newark. Study-abroad advising can help students compare UD-operated opportunities with approved partner arrangements and determine how their financial aid or scholarships would apply before committing.

University of Delaware Admissions Factors

SAT range
1190–1370
4001600
ACT range
28–32
136
Acceptance rate
71%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
71%
Delaware
71%
US
78%

16% of admitted students enrolled (4,424 of 28,238)

University of Delaware Admissions

Applicants
Total: 39,995
Admission
Total: 28,238
Enrolled
Total: 4,424
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of Delaware

Regular application deadline

January 15

Application fee

$75

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

University of Delaware First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,745
Out-of-state: 2,622
International: 43

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 4,420
Transfer: 654

University of Delaware Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1248

Median composite ACT score

29

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

2.8%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

19.1%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Preferential admissions consideration text

state residents

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Navy

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

University of Delaware Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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