Newark, DE · Private University
Is University of Delaware Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$72,950
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$16,080
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$39,720
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$158,880
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.84x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
78.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,572
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,931
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Delaware graduates earn $27,950 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Delaware ranked by graduate earnings
116 graduates
104 graduates
30 graduates
97 graduates
149 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Delaware
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Delaware, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $115,483) and the lowest (Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology: $33,296) is $82,187/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $115,483 | 2.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $99,227 | 2.5x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $96,013 | 2.4x |
| International Business | $92,663 | 2.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $86,289 | 2.2x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $85,962 | 2.2x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $84,199 | 2.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,952 | 2.1x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $81,434 | 2.0x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $80,264 | 2.0x |
| Civil Engineering | $79,314 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $77,898 | 2.0x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $77,403 | 1.9x |
| Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs | $75,647 | 1.9x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $73,750 | 1.9x |
| Mathematics | $73,638 | 1.9x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $73,420 | 1.9x |
| Marketing | $72,845 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $72,156 | 1.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $70,925 | 1.8x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $70,735 | 1.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $69,499 | 1.8x |
| Chemistry | $67,828 | 1.7x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $64,669 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $62,360 | 1.6x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $61,655 | 1.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $61,186 | 1.5x |
| Criminology | $60,214 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,112 | 1.5x |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $57,301 | 1.4x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $56,971 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $56,201 | 1.4x |
| Sociology | $54,885 | 1.4x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $54,741 | 1.4x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $54,067 | 1.4x |
| Public Health | $53,358 | 1.3x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $52,741 | 1.3x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $52,185 | 1.3x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $51,189 | 1.3x |
| Human Services, General | $51,146 | 1.3x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $50,186 | 1.3x |
| Agricultural Business and Management(1yr data) | $49,885 | 1.3x |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $49,413 | 1.2x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $47,912 | 1.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,708 | 1.1x |
| History | $44,583 | 1.1x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $42,603 | 1.1x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $40,710 | 1.0x |
| Animal Sciences(1yr data) | $40,317 | 1.0x |
| Agriculture, General(1yr data) | $39,696 | 1.0x |
| Plant Sciences(1yr data) | $39,362 | 1.0x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services(1yr data) | $39,066 | 1.0x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $38,124 | 1.0x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,984 | 1.0x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics(1yr data) | $36,297 | 0.9x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $35,637 | 0.9x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyLowest(1yr data) | $33,296 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delaware | 1.84x | $72,950 | Good ROI |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | 2.07x | $74,479 | Strong ROI |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | 2.31x | $69,960 | Strong ROI |
| The College of New Jersey | 2.98x | $73,323 | Strong ROI |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 2.35x | $84,276 | Strong ROI |
| University of Connecticut | 1.72x | $73,997 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Delaware offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $72,950 10 years after starting — $27,950 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.2 years — faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to University of Delaware?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.