Best Online Colleges in Delaware
The higher education experts at BestColleges have reviewed top online colleges in Delaware. Start planning your future at BestColleges.
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While there are only ten four-year colleges in Delaware—only three of which offer online programs—the state has authorized certain out-of-state colleges to grant degrees to Delaware residents. Due to sagging enrollment rates among college-age residents, the state recently launched the Getting to Zero initiative. The program encourages students to apply to post-secondary schools, and aspires to reduce the number of high school graduates who don’t apply to college to zero.
Top Online Colleges in Delaware
- Wilmington University – New Castle, DE
- Delaware State University – Dover, DE
- University of Delaware – Newark, DE
Delaware has also added online and distance learning opportunities into its overall educational system. Three of Delaware’s top colleges—the University of Delaware, Wilmington University, and Widener University—have recently introduced online degree programs. Additionally, in 1999 the Delaware Center for Distance Adult Learning was formed to help residents obtain their high school diploma or GED online.
Online colleges in Delaware have provided vital resources to residents who are interested in college, but discouraged by rising public tuitions. Between 2006 and 2011, in-state tuition rose by 41.8 percent while state appropriations fell alongside at a rate of 8.6%. Taken together, these factors have spurred interest in online education, where costs are generally lower.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Delaware
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE4 yearCampus + Online
$11,970
$11,970
N/A
88%
Wilmington University provides an inclusive academic experience that emphasizes innovative learning led by expert faculty. The nonprofit research institution promotes a student-focused environment, both face-to-face and online. The leader in online colleges in Delaware, Wilmington University offers 90 fully online degree and certificate programs, and each program's flexible online curriculum caters to students with diverse educational backgrounds.
Up to 90 transfer hours can be applied toward an online degree, and students can convert prior training into earned credit. The university's undergraduate tuition rates are competitively priced, and online students pay the same as traditional students. Active duty military students receive a significant discount toward tuition. Prospective students can take a free online course to determine if online learning is a good fit. Online student navigators are available to assist distance learners, and students can chat with a navigator from 8-11PM on specified days.
$9,216
$9,216
56%
14,020
Private
Yes
$11,970
$11,970
New Castle, DE4 yearCampus + Online
$11,970
$11,970
N/A
88%
$9,216
$9,216
56%
14,020
Private
Yes
Wilmington University provides an inclusive academic experience that emphasizes innovative learning led by expert faculty. The nonprofit research institution promotes a student-focused environment, both face-to-face and online. The leader in online colleges in Delaware, Wilmington University offers 90 fully online degree and certificate programs, and each program's flexible online curriculum caters to students with diverse educational backgrounds.
Up to 90 transfer hours can be applied toward an online degree, and students can convert prior training into earned credit. The university's undergraduate tuition rates are competitively priced, and online students pay the same as traditional students. Active duty military students receive a significant discount toward tuition. Prospective students can take a free online course to determine if online learning is a good fit. Online student navigators are available to assist distance learners, and students can chat with a navigator from 8-11PM on specified days.
Delaware State University
Dover, DE4 yearCampus + Online
$7,038
$16,960
55%
77%
Delaware State University, established in 1891, is a Historically Black College. The school offers several online undergraduate programs, including accounting, criminal justice, psychology, and public health, as well as four graduate degrees, which makes DSU one of the leading online colleges in Delaware.
At DSU, online courses are offered in a few different forms. Many of the online classes follow an eight-week, accelerated format, which allows students to work through one asynchronously delivered class at a time. There are also on-campus classes that are web-enhanced and blended classes that combine online and on-campus elements. For admission into any programs at DSU, applicants must have minimum ACT scores of 17 and minimum SAT scores of 800. New students and transfer students must also have at least a 2.0 GPA in previous college coursework. Online students at DSU are provided with a number of resources for employment, academic assistance, and finding internships.
$5,160
$11,376
75%
5,826
Public
Yes
$7,038
$16,960
Dover, DE4 yearCampus + Online
$7,038
$16,960
55%
77%
$5,160
$11,376
75%
5,826
Public
Yes
Delaware State University, established in 1891, is a Historically Black College. The school offers several online undergraduate programs, including accounting, criminal justice, psychology, and public health, as well as four graduate degrees, which makes DSU one of the leading online colleges in Delaware.
At DSU, online courses are offered in a few different forms. Many of the online classes follow an eight-week, accelerated format, which allows students to work through one asynchronously delivered class at a time. There are also on-campus classes that are web-enhanced and blended classes that combine online and on-campus elements. For admission into any programs at DSU, applicants must have minimum ACT scores of 17 and minimum SAT scores of 800. New students and transfer students must also have at least a 2.0 GPA in previous college coursework. Online students at DSU are provided with a number of resources for employment, academic assistance, and finding internships.
University of Delaware
Newark, DE4 yearCampus + Online
$14,040
$37,680
64%
44%
The University of Delaware has a history that dates back to 1743 and is the largest university in the state. UD is also one of the leading online schools in Delaware, with an online degree in nursing that has been available through distance education since 1993. The online BS in nursing, like other programs, is offered year round.
Online programs at UD combine asynchronous study with real-time interactions. Online students are never required to visit the Newark campus, but learners who live in the area can take tests at any of the UD campuses or Delaware testing centers. Out-of-state students can set up local placement and testing sites. Transfer students are eligible to bring in up to 59 credits that were earned with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Online students are permitted access to the online library and other academic and professional resources.
$17,622
$17,622
90%
23,568
Public
Yes
$14,040
$37,680
Newark, DE4 yearCampus + Online
$14,040
$37,680
64%
44%
$17,622
$17,622
90%
23,568
Public
Yes
The University of Delaware has a history that dates back to 1743 and is the largest university in the state. UD is also one of the leading online schools in Delaware, with an online degree in nursing that has been available through distance education since 1993. The online BS in nursing, like other programs, is offered year round.
Online programs at UD combine asynchronous study with real-time interactions. Online students are never required to visit the Newark campus, but learners who live in the area can take tests at any of the UD campuses or Delaware testing centers. Out-of-state students can set up local placement and testing sites. Transfer students are eligible to bring in up to 59 credits that were earned with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Online students are permitted access to the online library and other academic and professional resources.
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