Best Colleges in Delaware

Goldey-Beacom College was originally founded as Wilmington Commercial College in 1886 with five students. Today, this private college serves about 2,000 full-time and part-time students from its 24-acre campus east of Wilmington. GBC offers 41 career-focused associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in fields such as accounting, communication, and taxation.

The college's business major includes 11 possible concentrations, including healthcare management and information technology. GBC also offers a three-year doctor of business administration, which includes a series of eight-week courses focused on advanced business theory and investigation. The college also provides non-degree career training in business by offering undergraduate and graduate certificates.

All applicants must complete GBC's online application, although requirements vary for first-year, transfer, and international students. First-year students must submit ACT or SAT scores. GBC's business programs are recognized by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

As the largest university in the state and one of the oldest public schools in the U.S., the University of Delaware enrolls about 23,000 students annually. The school operates a main campus in Newark as well as locations around the state in Dover, Wilmington, Georgetown, and the coastal community of Lewes.

UD's eight colleges offer undergraduate majors and minors, graduate degrees, and certificates in areas like agriculture, arts and sciences, business, environmental studies, education, engineering, and health sciences. Degree offerings include honors degrees and accelerated 4+1 bachelor's-master's degrees. UD also offers more than 200 courses online.

Delaware residents may apply as early action students for free by completing the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Applicants self-report their academic record and test scores. The application requires a counselor/school recommendation but not additional teacher recommendations.

Established in 1891, Delaware State University is one of the nation's top historically black universities. The university serves a student body of more than 4,800 learners from its 356-acre Dover campus. The school's four academic colleges offer 42 undergraduate degrees, 16 graduate degrees, and more than 60 online programs.

DSU students enrolled in the school's College of Agriculture, Science, and Technology may select agriculture majors such as agri-business, agri-science education, horticulture, and equine business management. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied chemistry. Business degrees offered at DSU include aviation management, finance, and casino operations.

DSU applicants must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 and SAT scores of at least 800 or ACT scores of at least 17. Students may complete their application online.

A private school that serves more than 20,000 students, Wilmington University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through flexible day, evening, weekend, and hybrid classes. In addition to its main campus near Wilmington, WilmU also operates several additional sites, including locations in Dover and on the Dover Air Force Base. The school serves mainly commuter students and does not provide housing.

WilmU's colleges of arts and sciences, business, education, and health professions offer associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees, as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates. WilmU also offers more than 125 online degrees and certificates. Online students pay in-state tuition rates and may access the same campus resources as on-campus students.

The university operates an open-admission policy and uses six start dates per year. Students may transfer in up to 90 college credits. WilmU may also award transfer credits based on previous life experiences, training, and testing.

Founded in 1873, Wesley College is Delaware's oldest private college. Located on a 50-acre campus in Dover, this liberal arts school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Wesley boasts more than 30 areas of study, student-centered learning, and a 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Wesley undergraduates must fulfill core requirements and may select from 25 programs. Wesley's graduate programs include master's degrees in business, education, environmental science, nursing, and occupational therapy, as well as online degrees in sport leadership and criminal justice. For students seeking advanced training but not a degree, Wesley provides undergraduate and graduate certificates in fields such as nursing, coaching, and education.

Interested students can fill out a free online application. First-year applicants must submit test scores, although the application does not require letters of recommendation or essays. Transfer students may transfer in courses completed with a "C" or higher.