Best Online Colleges in Delaware 2024

Badge for BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN DELAWARE

Published: Dec 21, 2021
Updated: Jan 4, 2024

Find the best online colleges in Delaware ranked by the academic success of faculty and alumni associated with the colleges and universities and their online degree programs.

Best Online Colleges in Delaware

University of Delaware
Delaware State University
Wilmington University

University of Delaware
Delaware State University
Wilmington University

University of Delaware 74%
Delaware State University 55%

Delaware State University 16 to 1
University of Delaware 15 to 1
Wilmington University 12 to 1

University of Delaware $13,370
Wilmington University $12,030
Delaware State University $7,038

University of Delaware $17,622
Wilmington University $9,216
Delaware State University $5,160

Wilmington University
Delaware State University
University of Delaware

Wilmington University
Delaware State University
University of Delaware

Delaware State University 55%
University of Delaware 74%

Wilmington University 12 to 1
University of Delaware 15 to 1
Delaware State University 16 to 1

Delaware State University $7,038
Wilmington University $12,030
University of Delaware $13,370

Delaware State University $5,160
Wilmington University $9,216
University of Delaware $17,622

Key Takeaways

Despite its size and population, Delaware has several reputable online schools that offer state-of-the-art online degree programs.
Delaware’s university system offers above-average academic opportunities, various online degree programs, and affordable options.
When it comes to diversity, the state is home to Delaware State University, one of the country’s best Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Accreditation for Delaware Schools

Having an accreditation status is crucial for enrolling in an online program at any Delaware college and university. It ensures that students’ academic credits are transferrable and helps them become eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Accreditation guarantees that a student’s undergraduate and graduate degrees meet specific academic standards.

Regional accreditation is the highest accreditation status for most schools in the U.S. Delaware’s regional accrediting agency is the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the same accrediting agency responsible for accrediting colleges and universities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the DC area, and New York.

Financial Aid in Online Schools in Delaware

The Delaware Department of Education has several opportunities to save on tuition and fees through financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, and loans. The state also has state-subsidized financial aid options for distance learners attending school in Delaware. Some of the opportunities include:

Popular Online Academic Programs in Delaware

Business Administration and Management

Delaware never runs out of distance education programs in business or entrepreneurship. Students learn crucial skills through this popular academic discipline, including project management, data analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

The skillset helps Delaware graduates pursue a career in finance, management, sales, and entrepreneurship. Some graduates also pursue further studies in business, enrolling in advanced graduate degrees.

Many people who pursue a bachelor’s in business continue on to complete a master’s program. Delaware colleges and universities are home to some of the best online MBA programs in the country as well.

Education

Distance learners interested in library science, research works, or teaching should enroll in online programs related to education. An accredited degree in education equips online students with the necessary communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

Engineering

STEM or engineering industries are thriving in Delaware. Although engineering is an academic path, online students can pursue more specific programs, such as civil engineering, electronics and communications engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.

Several online schools in Delaware offer a variety of engineering degrees, in which students can easily find the best academic program for them.

History

Delaware is rich in cultural heritage, making it one of the best states for traditional students and online learners who love history. Pursuing an academic program in history prepares Delaware students to pursue careers as museum curators, researchers, archivists, historians, and professors.

Completing the program is a stepping stone toward pursuing a profession related to knowing about the country and the world.

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

Online education has grown dramatically in quality, credibility, and popularity over the last two decades. Today, more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one online course. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are more than 5 million college students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree fully online. And the number of online college and graduate students continues to grow as online technology and instructional methods improve.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, access to remote learning has proven an essential part of the educational ecosystem. Schools that offer primarily online degree programs saw an increase of 7% enrollment just between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. The number of traditional institutions offering online courses and degrees is growing as well. This all paints a promising picture for the future of online education. But it also produces a dizzying array of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Online Colleges 2024

Asynchronous learning means classes don’t meet at set times. This is the most flexible online learning experience, making when you cover your course material up to you. Most asynchronous online courses will still have deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments and tests. Some asynchronous classes may still ask for an occasional meeting, such as initial meet-and-greets, and in some cases there may be scheduled test times. The idea of asynchronous learning is to allow the student to manage their schedules as needed.

Synchronous learning means you will have scheduled meeting times for your online classes. Synchronous learning gives online students the flexibility of location while also giving students a chance to engage with each other and their professors. For many online students, the structured class schedules and ability to see and hear from peers in real-time helps create the learning experience they want.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities—educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

How do we determine the best online colleges for undergrads?

Methodology

Pursuing your degree online doesn’t mean you need to settle for an inferior school. Today, most universities and colleges offer online degrees, and many respected schools are seeing significant growth in their numbers of online students.

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence — i.e., the academic impact of faculty and alumni associated with a school — gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. The combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. For our online degree rankings, we focus on the academic influence of faculty and alumni in the specific disciplines we’re ranking.

If you are serious about finding the best online colleges, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is free from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

Best Online Colleges in Delaware 2023

#1
University of Delaware
Newark , DE
#1 Best Colleges in Delaware 2025 #1 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2024 #1 Best Research Universities in Delaware 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Delaware 2024
Other Rankings
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
Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
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 Colleges in Delaware 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2024
Other Rankings
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
Online Degrees
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Public Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Wilmington University
New Castle , DE
#1 Best Private Colleges in Delaware 2024 #3 Best Colleges in Delaware 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Delaware 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Delaware 2025
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
Online Degrees
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Accounting and Finance

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Applied Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Animation and 3D

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Behavioral Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Business Analytics

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Business Management

Concentrations

Professional Aeronautics

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Communication

Concentrations

Digital Journalism
Public Relations And Strategic Communication
Visual Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Computer and Network Security

Concentrations

Digital Forensics

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Computer Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Digital Filmmaking

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Education

Concentrations

Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education K-6
Middle Level Education Grades 6-8
Skilled And Technical Sciences

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Science and Policy

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Finance

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Graphic Design

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Health Sciences

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Information Systems Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Law, Policy, and Political Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Organizational Dynamics

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Organizational Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Sports Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
BS in Web Design

Required Credits: 120
Completion time: 4 years
Format: Online
Compare school

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Best Online Colleges in Delaware 2024

Best Online Colleges in Delaware

Key Takeaways

Featured Programs

Accreditation for Delaware Schools

Financial Aid in Online Schools in Delaware

Popular Online Academic Programs in Delaware

Business Administration and Management

Education

Engineering

History

Colleges and Universities in Delaware

What are Delaware’s Colleges & Universities?

Delaware’s Best Overall

Best Online Colleges in Delaware 2023

University of Delaware

Career Outlook for degree at University of Delaware

Online Degrees

Delaware State University

Career Outlook for degree at Delaware State University

Online Degrees

Wilmington University

Career Outlook for degree at Wilmington University

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations

Concentrations