There are seven colleges and universities in Delaware. These institutions include two research universities, two master's university, one associates colleges, and two special-focus institutions. Four of Delaware's post-secondary institutions are private and three are public.
Delaware's oldest post-secondary institution is the University of Delaware, which was chartered by the Delaware General Assembly as a degree-granting college in 1833. The University of Delaware is also the state's largest institution of higher learning in terms of enrollment, with 24,412 students as of 2024. Wilmington University is Delaware's largest private post-secondary institution, with an enrollment of 13,746.
Delaware has two land-grant universities: Delaware State University and the University of Delaware. The University of Delaware is also the state's sole participant in the National Sea Grant College Program and the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. In addition, Delaware State University is the one historically black college and university in the state, and is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Delaware previously had two private post-secondary institutions for men and women respectively: St. Mary's College and Wesleyan Female College respectively.
The state does not have a medical school, but the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research reserves spaces for Delaware students at two medical schools in Philadelphia. Delaware has one law school, Widener University Delaware Law School. All six of Delaware's post-secondary institutions are institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Extant institutions
Institution Location(s) Control Type Enrollment(fall 2024) FoundedDelaware State University DoverPublicMaster's university 5,327 1891Delaware Technical Community College Dover, Georgetown, Stanton, and WilmingtonPublicAssociate's college 13,337 1967Goldey–Beacom College Pike Creek ValleyPrivateMaster's university 1,001 1886Strayer University WilmingtonPrivateMaster's university 187 1892University of Delaware NewarkPublicResearch university 24,412 1833Widener University Delaware Law School WilmingtonPrivateLaw school 1975Wilmington University New CastlePrivateResearch university 13,746 1968
Defunct institutions
Institution Location(s) Control Founded Closed Notes Brandywine Junior College Wilmington Private 1966 1991 Entered into a merger with Widener University in 1976 and graduated its final class in 1991. Campus now serves as Widener University Delaware Law School.Delaware College of Art and Design Wilmington Private 1997 2024 On May 23, 2024, the college announced it would be winding down operations and close permanently. St. Mary's College Wilmington Private 1841 1866 Catholic institution closed in 1866 following the American Civil War.Wesley College Dover Private 1873 2021 Acquired by Delaware State University in 2021. Wesleyan Female College Wilmington Private 1837 1885 Methodist institution for women. Following its closing, no college for women existed in Delaware until the Women's College of Delaware opened in 1914. Women's College of Delaware Newark Public 1914 1945 Merged into the University of Delaware in 1945.
See also List of college athletic programs in Delaware Higher education in the United States List of recognized higher education accreditation organizations Lists of American institutions of higher education
References Explanatory notes
Citations
External links
United States Department of Education listing of accredited institutions in Delaware