


The University of Delaware's Blue Hens compete in NCAA Division I varsity athletics. UD joined Conference USA in 2025, so older references to its former conference may no longer describe current varsity schedules.
Varsity teams include football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports. Varsity participation involves team selection and conference competition; it should not be confused with club or intramural play. Students who want to participate without joining a varsity roster can explore club sports, intramural leagues, and campus recreation or fitness facilities. The sports available in each category and their participation requirements can differ by season.
University of Delaware students can join recognized organizations spanning academic interests, service, identity and culture, performing arts, recreation, and student governance. Joining one is an option for both residential students and commuters, though meeting schedules can make participation easier or harder.
Examples of established campus activities include the student newspaper The Review, student radio, theater groups, choral groups, and the marching band. Student government, fraternities and sororities, and major-related clubs provide other routes into campus activities. Because organizations can change leadership, recognition status, or activity from year to year, the current student-organization directory is the best place to check whether a particular group is operating and how to join.
The University of Delaware enrolled 24,412 students in the reported institutional count, making it a large campus with both undergraduate and graduate study. Its incoming undergraduate population includes substantial numbers of students from outside Delaware.
In the reported first-time student cohort, about 39% were Delaware residents and 59% came from other U.S. states. The university recorded 4,420 first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates and 654 transfer-in students. Most enrolled students were in the traditional college-age range, although students in their late twenties and older were also present. These figures describe enrollment, not the composition of every class or program.
Reported race and ethnicity counts include students identifying as White, Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Asian, and two or more races, among other categories. Counts from different reporting systems can cover different populations or years, so they should not be combined into an invented campus-wide percentage. UD reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1; that institution-wide measure does not predict the size of a particular introductory course or seminar.
Student life at the University of Delaware combines a sizable residential campus with a substantial commuting population. The reported housing figures place 37% of students on campus and 63% off campus or commuting, so daily routines and opportunities to attend evening activities may differ considerably.
New students can use orientation and campus programs to learn academic systems and meet peers. Recreation, performances, student media, public events, and gathering places provide ways to participate beyond classes. UD also reports a student health clinic and personal or psychological counseling services. For students balancing work, family responsibilities, or a commute, office hours, event times, and transit options may matter as much as the number of activities offered.
The University of Delaware's principal library is the Hugh M. Morris Library in Newark. It provides study space, research materials, and help finding and using scholarly information.
Students can use the library's catalog, electronic journals, databases, and research guides for coursework and projects. Librarians offer research assistance, and borrowing and interlibrary-loan services can help students obtain materials not immediately available in the collection. UD also maintains specialized library collections and resources relevant to particular disciplines. Access to licensed online materials generally depends on university credentials, which is especially useful for students researching away from campus.
Total enrollment
24412Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
4074Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
1264 full time, 469 part timeVeterans affair office
NoVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cheerleading
Crew
Cross-country running
Equestrian sports
Field hockey
Football
Golf
Ice hockey
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Rock climbing
Rugby
Sailing
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and diving
Table tennis
Tennis
Track and field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water polo
Wrestling
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.