Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2024

Badge for BEST IN DELAWARE GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Jenn Finley
Updated:

Best Grad Schools in Delaware

  1. University of Delaware
    • Tuition: $15K
  2. Delaware State University
    • Tuition: $8K
  3. Wilmington University
    • Tuition: $12K

Key Takeaways

  • Three schools in Delaware meet our criteria for the best grad schools in the state.
  • Earning a master’s or doctorate degree from one of the state’s best grad schools will qualify graduates to work in one of Delaware’s top industries.
  • It is important to choose a grad school in Delaware that offers opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Colleges and Universities in Delaware

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Delaware offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.


What are Delaware’s Colleges & Universities?

Delaware’s Best Overall


There are 3 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Delaware. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Delaware is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Delaware

  1. #1

    University of Delaware

    Newark , DE
    #1 Best Colleges in Delaware 2025 #1 Best Research Universities in Delaware 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Delaware 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    74%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    26K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/28

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Delaware

    Cost of Degree: $16,080
    Expenses: $17,638
    Starting Salary: $64,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Delaware known for?

    University of Delaware’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    With a diverse roster of programs, the University of Delaware is a top institution for learners pursuing advanced education in Science and Engineering. The university also offers various learning centers, a well-maintained library, and recreational facilities to support graduate student success.

    What we love about the University of Delaware:

    The university hosts a bi-annual Spark! Symposium that showcases research projects and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing a dynamic platform for students to be engaged.

    The University of Delaware is ideal for students who:

    Are interested in conducting interdisciplinary research.

    The University of Delaware might not be the best fit for students who:

    Stay away from joining graduate student organizations.

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Delaware State University

    Dover , DE
    #12 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #1 Best Small Colleges in Delaware 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Delaware 2025 #2 Best Research Universities in Delaware 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    55%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    945/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Delaware State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,314
    Expenses: $19,922
    Starting Salary: $38,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Delaware State University known for?

    Delaware State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Delaware State University offers a variety of cutting-edge graduate programs across disciplines such as Education, Agriculture, and Business. With a commitment to research excellence, graduate studies are mentored by expert faculty paired with state-of-the-art laboratories and comprehensive learning resources.

    What we love about Delaware State University:

    With a growing demand for distance education, the university has expanded its online graduate program offering to include Public Health, Real State, and Executive Finance.

    Delaware State University is ideal for students who:

    Prefer to take their Master’s in Nursing online.

    Delaware State University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are looking for a wide range of on-campus amenities.

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Wilmington University

    New Castle , DE
    #1 Best Private Colleges in Delaware 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Delaware 2025 #3 Best Research Universities in Delaware 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Delaware 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Graduation

    20%

    Student body

    19K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wilmington University

    Cost of Degree: $12,330
    Starting Salary: $46,600
    What is Wilmington University known for?

    Wilmington University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Offering online and evening classes, Wilmington University provides flexible learning formats that are ideal for working professionals seeking career advancement. Moreover, graduate students may transfer up to 12 credits into their program, allowing them to save time and reduce tuition.

    What we love about Wilmington University:

    With no SAT requirement and rolling admissions, the university makes it easier for graduate students to enroll and start their programs at any time throughout the year.

    Wilmington University is ideal for students who:

    Seek Master’s degrees related to safety like Homeland Security.

    Wilmington University might not be the best fit for students who:

    Are not willing to share their immunization records upon application.

    Compare school
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Delaware’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2023 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of Delaware
  2. Delaware State University
  3. Wilmington University
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