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Delaware State University

Delaware State University is a public campus in Dover proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. It is one of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities — a federally recognized designation. The federal record identifies it as a land-grant institution.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$14,776

family income
under $30k

$14,338

$30–48k

$16,445

$48–75k

$16,336

$75–110k

$20,170

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$13,9102023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Delaware State University rose from $9,059 (2008) to $13,910 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$9,059
2009	$12,978
2010	$12,944
2011	$17,741
2012	$15,399
2013	$15,655
2014	$16,099
2015	$12,844
2016	$13,014
2017	$13,789
2018	$12,995
2019	$14,866
2020	$11,626
2021	$12,544
2022	$15,745
2023	$13,910

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$27,9392024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Delaware State University rose from $17,481 (2009) to $27,939 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$17,481
2010	$19,419
2011	$20,006
2012	$20,897
2013	$20,506
2014	$20,587
2015	$21,182
2016	$21,177
2017	$21,318
2018	$22,627
2019	$22,297
2020	$23,888
2021	$22,912
2022	$24,248
2023	$27,536
2024	$27,939

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition — data
Year	In-state	Out-of-state
2000	$3,470	$7,580
2001	$3,682	$7,956
2002	$3,956	$8,752
2003	$3,996	$8,976
2004	$4,646	$10,303
2005	$5,480	$11,704
2006	$5,746	$12,054
2007	$6,146	$13,100
2008	$6,481	$13,742
2013	$7,336	$15,692
2014	$7,336	$15,692
2015	$7,531	$16,138
2016	$7,532	$16,138
2017	$7,868	$16,904
2018	$7,868	$16,904
2019	$8,258	$17,294
2020	$8,358	$18,280
2021	$8,358	$18,280
2022	$8,358	$18,280
2023	$10,314	$20,250

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Delaware State University reports published tuition by residency: $10,670 in-state versus $20,634 out-of-state — a $9,964 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Delaware State University reports 4,398 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

39.1% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Delaware State University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

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39.1%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Delaware State University rose from 29.9% (entered 1991) to 39.1% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	29.9%
1992 cohort	26.1%
1993 cohort	27.8%
1994 cohort	28.8%
1995 cohort	31.8%
1996 cohort	29.6%
1997 cohort	33.3%
1998 cohort	34.6%
1999 cohort	35.1%
2000 cohort	37.9%
2001 cohort	37.3%
2002 cohort	35.9%
2003 cohort	34.2%
2004 cohort	39.2%
2005 cohort	34.6%
2006 cohort	33.1%
2007 cohort	37.2%
2008 cohort	42.6%
2009 cohort	41.9%
2010 cohort	42.6%
2011 cohort	36.7%
2012 cohort	40.1%
2013 cohort	41.6%
2014 cohort	48.1%
2015 cohort	47%
2016 cohort	45.5%
2017 cohort	38.7%
2018 cohort	39.1%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$15,438	$5,688
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$16,308	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$16,845	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$19,625	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$18,000	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$18,307	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$20,778	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$20,375	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$20,375	$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$26,344	$13,000
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$28,439	$10,000
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$28,500	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$28,271	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$28,500	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$28,500	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$28,375	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$27,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$26,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$26,000	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$26,000	$9,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$37,503

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$43,083

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$49,307

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Delaware State University admitted 3,934 of 8,445 applicants in Fall 2024. The 46.6% rate describes that application pool.

46.6%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $10,314 in-state tuition · 2023–24 4,398 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 800–10201600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Delaware State University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Delaware State University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 420–520 and Math was 380–500 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 800–1020 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	420	480	520
SAT Math	380	440	500
ACT Composite	20	23	24

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Delaware State University received 8,445 applications and admitted 3,934 (46.6%), with 1,325 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

46.6%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Read Delaware State University's change from 67.7% to 46.6% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	67.7%
Fall 2002	30%
Fall 2003	50%
Fall 2004	55.8%
Fall 2005	64.4%
Fall 2006	63.6%
Fall 2007	42.8%
Fall 2008	56.3%
Fall 2009	37.1%
Fall 2010	41.5%
Fall 2011	42.6%
Fall 2012	42.6%
Fall 2013	41.7%
Fall 2014	43.7%
Fall 2015	44.4%
Fall 2016	40.6%
Fall 2017	45.2%
Fall 2018	49.2%
Fall 2019	52.8%
Fall 2020	39.3%
Fall 2021	58.8%
Fall 2022	54.9%
Fall 2023	61.7%
Fall 2024	46.6%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

800–1020Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2002	690	900
Fall 2003	670	930
Fall 2004	710	920
Fall 2005	720	900
Fall 2006	740	930
Fall 2007	770	940
Fall 2008	780	950
Fall 2009	790	960
Fall 2010	800	950
Fall 2011	800	940
Fall 2012	800	940
Fall 2013	820	970
Fall 2014	820	970
Fall 2015	810	970
Fall 2016	820	970
Fall 2017	820	990
Fall 2018	840	1010
Fall 2019	820	1020
Fall 2020	810	1010
Fall 2022	830	1060
Fall 2023	860	1070
Fall 2024	800	1020

IPEDS Fall 2002–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

20–24Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2004	13	17
Fall 2005	14	17
Fall 2006	14	18
Fall 2007	15	20
Fall 2008	15	20
Fall 2009	15	19
Fall 2010	15	19
Fall 2011	16	20
Fall 2012	16	20
Fall 2013	16	19
Fall 2014	17	20
Fall 2015	17	21
Fall 2016	17	21
Fall 2017	17	21
Fall 2018	17	22
Fall 2019	16	22
Fall 2020	17	22
Fall 2022	20	24
Fall 2023	22	26
Fall 2024	20	24

IPEDS Fall 2004–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

4,398Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Delaware State University rose from 3,149 (Fall 2002) to 4,398 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	3,149
Fall 2003	2,992
Fall 2004	3,074
Fall 2005	3,440
Fall 2006	3,303
Fall 2007	3,374
Fall 2008	3,159
Fall 2009	3,222
Fall 2010	3,372
Fall 2011	3,744
Fall 2012	3,636
Fall 2013	3,719
Fall 2014	3,654
Fall 2015	3,686
Fall 2016	3,692
Fall 2017	3,678
Fall 2018	3,835
Fall 2019	3,932
Fall 2020	3,881
Fall 2021	4,179
Fall 2022	4,588
Fall 2023	4,630
Fall 2024	4,398

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

70%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Delaware State University has wandered from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023 — up to 75% at the peak — but ends near where it began, at 70%.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	67%
Fall 2003 cohort	64%
Fall 2004 cohort	66%
Fall 2005 cohort	63%
Fall 2006 cohort	64%
Fall 2007 cohort	58%
Fall 2008 cohort	66%
Fall 2009 cohort	67%
Fall 2010 cohort	70%
Fall 2011 cohort	60%
Fall 2012 cohort	65%
Fall 2013 cohort	69%
Fall 2014 cohort	72%
Fall 2015 cohort	73%
Fall 2016 cohort	71%
Fall 2017 cohort	72%
Fall 2018 cohort	70%
Fall 2019 cohort	74%
Fall 2020 cohort	75%
Fall 2021 cohort	75%
Fall 2022 cohort	72%
Fall 2023 cohort	70%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Delaware State University

Faculty pay at Delaware State University averages $106,428 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Delaware State University as a primarily residential campus of 4,398 undergraduates — and 70% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Delaware State University's SAT section-percentile sums are 800–1020 — their midpoint is below the DE four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Delaware State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Delaware State University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Delaware State University46.6%

Delaware median70.6%

National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Delaware State University$10,670

Delaware median$13,920

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Delaware State University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Delaware State University$49,307

Delaware median$53,844

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Delaware State University, Delaware and national reference values
Metric & basis	Delaware State University	Delaware median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	46.6%	70.6%	76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$10,670	$13,920	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$49,307	$53,844	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Delaware State University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Delaware State University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 14 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science	$98,411
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$94,568
Accounting and Related Services	$72,522
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$59,689
Biology, General	$59,296
Social Work	$56,937
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	$55,509
Political Science and Government	$53,838
Criminology	$53,128
Agriculture, General	$52,676
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$50,794
Psychology, General	$49,132
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$49,115
Communication and Media Studies	$46,440

These 14 fields listed for Delaware State University measure earnings after completion. The $49,307 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 51 additional Delaware State University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Delaware State University report?

Delaware State University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 800–1020 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Delaware State University's acceptance rate?

46.6% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 3,934 admitted from 8,445 applicants.

How much does Delaware State University cost?

In-state tuition is $10,670; out-of-state students pay $20,634. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Delaware State University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $49,307. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Delaware

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.