Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Research Universities in Delaware 2026

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST IN DELAWARE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Interested in attending a STEM school in Delaware? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Key Takeaways

The institutions in our ranking provide a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing students to pursue various fields of study and tailor their education to their interests.
Students at the best research universities in Delaware have access to extensive facilities, including research centers, libraries, and extracurricular activities, enhancing both academic and personal development.
With smaller class sizes, students at the best research universities in Delaware receive individualized support and mentorship from faculty, enhancing their academic experience.

Table of Contents

Best Research Universities in Delaware in 2026

University of Delaware
Delaware State University
Wilmington University

A research university concentrates resources on original inquiry and advanced training; for students this means access to funded labs, graduate mentorship, and coursework tied to active projects. We evaluated Delaware institutions that meet two practical criteria: full institutional accreditation and the capacity to grant doctoral degrees across STEM fields. Our list identifies 3 research universities in Delaware and is intended for prospective undergraduates and graduate students who prioritize hands-on research, faculty-led projects, and clear pathways into STEM careers.

Use the linked search to view the full set of institutions and compare programs, and read on for concise profiles that highlight research strengths, typical undergraduate research opportunities, and how each university supports STEM doctoral training: 3 research universities in Delaware.

Best Research Universities in Delaware

Last Year’s Ranking:
1. University of Delaware
2. Delaware State University
3. Wilmington University
#1
University of Delaware
Newark , DE
#1 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2026 #1 Best Colleges in Delaware 2026 #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:

Chemistry
Engineering
Computer Science
Earth Sciences
Political Science
Criminal Justice
Biology
Psychology
Business
Economics

Most Influential Alumni

Daniel Nathans
Richard F. Heck
Susan Stroman
David L. Mills
Chris Christie
Vistasp Karbhari
Rakesh Jain
Timothy Shanahan
David A. Hounshell
Rein Taagepera
Ellen Lupton
Kurt Akeley
University of Delaware’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
Delaware State University
Dover , DE
#12 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #1 Best Small Colleges in Delaware 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2026 #2 Best Colleges in Delaware 2026
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:

Social Work
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Education
Computer Science
Engineering
History
Nursing

Most Influential Alumni

Simmie Knox
Arup Chakraborty
Clifford Brown
James L. Moore III
Steve Davis
Reggie Barnes
Delaware State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Accounting

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 Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Public Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Wilmington University
New Castle , DE
#1 Best Private Colleges in Delaware 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2026 #3 Best Colleges in Delaware 2026 #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:

Nursing
Psychology
Business
Computer Science
Education
Medical
Political Science
Criminal Justice
Communications
Social Work

Most Influential Alumni

Paul Bechly
Brittany Lee Lewis
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
Compare school

Build your own college rankings

Find the Best Research Universities in Delaware for Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

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.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Research Universities in Delaware 2026

Key Takeaways

Best Research Universities in Delaware in 2026

Best Research Universities in Delaware

Last Year’s Ranking:

University of Delaware

Career Outlook for degree at University of Delaware

Most Influential Alumni

University of Delaware’s Online Degrees

Delaware State University

Career Outlook for degree at Delaware State University

Most Influential Alumni

Delaware State University’s Online Degrees

Wilmington University

Career Outlook for degree at Wilmington University

Most Influential Alumni

Wilmington University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Find the Best Research Universities in Delaware for Your Area of Interest