Best Private Colleges in Delaware 2024

Badge for BEST IN DELAWARE PRIVATE COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Delaware.

Best Private Colleges in Delaware

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  1. Wilmington University
  2. Wesley College
  1. Wilmington University
  2. Wesley College
    1. Wilmington University 12 to 1
    1. Wilmington University $12,030
    1. Wilmington University $9,216
    1. Wesley College
    2. Wilmington University
    1. Wesley College
    2. Wilmington University
      1. Wilmington University 12 to 1
      1. Wilmington University $12,030
      1. Wilmington University $9,216

      Colleges and Universities in Delaware

      Delaware is home to six higher learning institutions offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees for both traditional and online students. Despite its small size, there are plenty of excellent options among the brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Delaware.

      With two public schools and four private schools, Delaware excels in awarding degrees in fields such as mathematics, political science, criminal justice, and publishing. Prospective students can also choose from between affordable traditional courses and online degree programs at either the Delaware State University or the University of Delaware.

      In-state students will pay roughly $8,000 for a year at Delaware State University and about $14,000 for tuition at the University of Delaware. Out of state students will pay more.

      Find college admissions consultants in your state.

      The student body size of these schools is, however, vastly different. Just a little over 4,000 students attend Delaware State University. By contrast, more than 22,000 on-campus and online students are currently taking courses at the University of Delaware.

      Among private colleges in Delaware, Wilmington University has the highest student population among private colleges at just under 10,000 students. Wilmington University is also the most affordable private college in Delaware at $11,000.

      Students who attend Delaware College of Art and Design can specialize their associate degree in animation, fine arts, graphic design, illustration, or photography. Residents who earn degrees in the medical or mental health fields have the opportunity to get state-sponsored financial aid through Delaware’s State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Applicants must agree to work in underserved areas of Delaware for two or three years and can receive up to $105,000.

      Though it is the second smallest state in the nation, Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution, earning it the nickname, The First State. With the Delaware River running through it, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and forests throughout, Delaware college students will find beauty everywhere.

      Just above the nation’s average annual college tuition cost at $12,274, Delaware provides prospective students with an array of highly respected traditional and online degree programs. Discover more about Delaware’s colleges and universities.


      What are Delaware’s Colleges & Universities?

      Delaware’s Best Overall

      What is the difference between public and private colleges?

      Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.

      Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.

      Delaware's Best Private Colleges and Universities Badge
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      This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 2 private universities in Delaware. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Delaware, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.

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      Best Private Colleges in Delaware

      1. #1

        Wilmington University

        New Castle , DE
        #3 Best Colleges in Delaware 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Delaware 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Delaware 2024
        Other Rankings

        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

        Wilmington University’s Online Degrees

        BS in Animation And 3d
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Digital Filmmaking
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Graphic Design
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Web Design
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Business Analytics
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Business Management
        Degree Concentrations
        • Professional Aeronautics
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Finance
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Human Resource Management
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Marketing
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Organizational Dynamics
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Organizational Management
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Sports Management
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Accounting
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Accounting And Finance
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Applied Technology
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Computer And Network Security
        Degree Concentrations
        • Digital Forensics
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Computer Science
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Information Systems Management
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Criminal Justice
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Law, Policy, And Political Science
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Education
        Degree Concentrations
        • Early Childhood Education
        • Elementary Education K-6
        • Middle Level Education Grades 6-8
        • Skilled And Technical Sciences
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Communication
        Degree Concentrations
        • Digital Journalism
        • Public Relations And Strategic Communication
        • Visual Communication
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Liberal Studies
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Health Sciences
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Behavioral Science
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
        BS in Psychology
        • Required Credits: 120
        • Completion Time: None Reported
        • Format: Online
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      Delaware’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area 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
      2021 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. Wilmington University
      2. Wesley College

      Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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