Delaware Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Delaware College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Delaware institutions.
Top Delaware Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delaware | Public 4-yr | $15,890 | $40,260 | 19,300 |
| Delaware State University | Public 4-yr | $9,148 | $19,612 | 4,500 |
| Wesley College / Delaware State | Public 4-yr | $9,148 | $19,612 | 1,000 |
| Goldey-Beacom College | Private | $27,440 | $27,440 | 1,100 |
| Wilmington University | Private | $13,140 | $13,140 | 11,800 |
| Delaware Tech Community College | Community | $4,194 | $9,778 | 13,500 |
Delaware State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Delaware Higher Education Office (DHEO).
SEED Scholarship
Free tuition at Delaware Tech Community College for eligible recent DE high school grads.
B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship
Full tuition, fees, room, board, and book allowance at the University of Delaware for outstanding DE high school grads.
Delaware Inspire Scholarship
For students who complete AA at DE Tech and transfer to Delaware State University.
Delaware Scholarship Incentive Program (ScIP)
Need-based grant for DE residents attending eligible in-state or regional institutions.
Student Loan Options for Delaware Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Delaware have a state student loan program?
No. Delaware does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Delaware residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Delaware state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Delaware students.
How much does college cost in Delaware?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Delaware public four-year universities is about $14,000 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $28,400 on campus for Delaware residents and $41,500 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Delaware?
Delaware borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $38,000. Total outstanding federal student debt for Delaware residents is approximately $2.1 billion.
Does Delaware offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Delaware administers the SEED Scholarship (free community college for recent grads), the Inspire Scholarship (free DSU for DE Tech transfers), the Barnes Scholarship (full ride at UDel for top students), and ScIP need-based grants.
Does Delaware have a state student loan program?
No. Delaware does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Delaware residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Delaware colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
Delaware Tech Community College is lowest at $4,194 per year and is free for eligible recent grads through SEED. Among four-year schools, Delaware State is lowest at $9,148 in-state. UDel is the highest in-state public at $15,890.
What scholarships are available for Delaware residents?
Key awards include SEED, Inspire, the Barnes Scholarship at UDel, ScIP need-based grants, and the Delaware Teacher Corps loan forgiveness program.
Related Delaware Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Delaware public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- DE Higher Education Office program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Colin Graves