Best Online Colleges in Delaware

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Best Online Colleges in Delaware

Online education benefits many people in the Delaware area. Accredited online colleges in Delaware are helpful for many different groups of people, including busy professionals who don’t have time to attend traditional classes. Or parents who work jobs during the day and prefer to spend time with their families at night. And anyone else who wants to advance or change their career on their own time.

Online colleges in Delaware allow state residents to get the education they need to change their lives.

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Methodology for Ranking the Best Online Colleges in Delaware

In this Value Colleges ranking of the Best Online Colleges in Delaware, you will find the best of the best when it comes to online learning in the First State. All of the colleges listed use the Value Colleges Best ranking system, which evaluates a university or college’s success with their tuition costs and online degree earning options, ensuring a strong ROI for all attendees. The institutions are all accredited regionally or nationally and offer partially or fully online degree programs; some offer both undergraduate and graduate degree options as well as professional certifications.


1. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is one of the best accredited online colleges in Delaware. It offers a lot of degree options for students who want to earn an online degree, including 51 programs total. Subjects range from business management to nursing to marketing. The school gives students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate. It’s also possible for a pupil to opt for taking individualized courses online. All their online options can be completed entirely online and offer flexibility. The ROI of many degree options is high while active military members may enjoy a significant reduction in the cost of their education from Wilmington University. 

This nonprofit institution is a private doctoral research college. It opened its doors in 1968 and has since been educating students in a number of areas of interest. Its nickname is the “Wildcats,” and its wildcats enjoy a graduation rate of over 60 percent. Additionally. the school touts its career-focused degree programs, meaning that the education provided there supplies students with the knowledge and tools necessary to work in their field of interest. Plus, they stress the support they provide to members of the military, including financial aid.

Number of Online Programs: 54

2. Delaware State University

Delaware State University is one of the best online colleges in Delaware and offers five different online degree programs, including a business degree option. The school helps students decide if attending online college is right for them by asking a simple set of questions to assess the student’s learning style and lifestyle. Its business program helps students achieve positions as business owners, business managers, and more. The ROI for Delaware State University’s business program is high, considering there’s potential to earn close to, if not, more than $100,000 per year with a degree in business. 

Delaware State University was established over 100 years ago when it was the Delaware General Assembly. It’s a public university and was originally solely for African Americans. Today, students of all ethnicities can become “Hornets.” The school believes in the importance of a solid education and its impact on the workforce, as noted by its motto, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth and Serve.” Delaware State University ranked as number 12 on the U.S. News & Report’s list when compared to other historically black colleges and universities. 

Number of Online Programs: 5

3. University of Delaware

The University of Delaware is one of the top accredited online colleges in Delaware. It only offers two-degree programs. Students who want to earn a degree online may choose between an associate’s degree in arts or a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) for RNs. Although these are the only two options for completing degree programs online, students may take individual courses online. Its BSN degree program has a high ROI since it gives RNs the potential to take on leadership roles and advance in their career. 

The school has a high acceptance rate, taking in approximately 70 percent of the students that apply. Moreover, 79 percent of the students who are accepted graduate from their program. The school believes in turning on ideas in students to create independent and innovative thinkers, as indicated by its motto, “Knowledge is the light of the mind.”

Number of Online Programs: 2

Who Benefits the Most from Online Education in Delaware?

Today attending college full-time on campus is becoming harder and harder for the average American student and with consistently rising tuition costs and an extremely competitive workforce, students find the prospect of attending college in order to obtain a lasting career a daunting task––especially when taking potential student loan debt into account. On the other hand, with a massive rise in accessible, fully accredited online programs from coast to coast, students across America are realizing they can still obtain an accredited degree from any college they choose without breaking the bank. Distance learning programs are more affordable than attending school on campus and with flexible access to coursework and classes, students don’t have to sacrifice their other commitments like work or family while still getting a quality education.

Online colleges in Delaware are more affordable than ever. Many employers even pay part or all of the tuition for online school, provided that students commit to remaining with the employer for a predetermined period of time. Before you pay your first tuition bill to whichever one of the accredited online colleges in Delaware that you choose, be sure to talk with your employer to find out if they offer tuition reimbursement. You’ll want to check on the requirements for the reimbursement- some employers require a certain GPA in order to provide funds. Getting a degree is now easier than ever due to the accredited online colleges in Delaware. 

Can I Save Money By Transferring from Community College? 

In a word: absolutely. Many people find that the best course of action for earning their degree is to take Delaware technical community college online courses first, then transfer to get their bachelor’s degree from a four-year university. Community colleges offer the first two years of classes at a lower rate than classes would be offered at a four-year school. The first two years of classes then transfer to a four-year university. The first two years of classes can be used to earn an associate’s degree, which can contribute to a raise at work and/or expanded career opportunities. Delaware technical community college online courses are a great way for students to save money on their four-year degree. Many community colleges offer discounts to students who attend classes solely online. Some schools even offer laptops for online students to rent, saving you even more money as you earn your degree. 

If you’re interested in transferring from taking Delaware technical community college courses to taking classes at a four-year university, you’ll want to talk to academic advisers at both schools to ensure you’re taking the right classes at the right times. Be sure that your four-year university will accept all of your credits. If there are certain academic areas that are more challenging for you, you may want to take those classes at the community college level, where you may have more access to your professor. You’ll also want to make sure that the four-year university to which you are going to transfer your credits has the major you need for your interests and/or career advancement.

Can I Get a Scholarship for Online Education?

Many students who attend school online receive a scholarship for continuing education. The options for adults to earn a scholarship for online education are myriad. Some scholarships are well-publicized and come from national organizations; others are small and private. After you fill out your financial aid paperwork for your college tuition, ask the financial aid office about any school-specific scholarships. There are often many small scholarships available to students who are willing to apply. If you’re interested in saving money, applying for a scholarship for continuing education is always worth the time it takes to fill out the paperwork.

There are Delaware scholarships that are state-specific, only available to students attending state schools. The Delaware scholarship incentive program offers Delaware residents scholarships to work on higher education. Click here to check out the requirements for the Delaware scholarship incentive program and see if you qualify. This money is set aside specifically for state residents- don’t pass up your chance at the many available Delaware scholarships.

What is Delaware Goes to College?

The Delaware Higher Education office wants to support young adults and nontraditional students in their journey to higher education. Delaware Goes to College is a program that supports you as you move toward getting your degree. When you’re getting ready to go to college, it can feel overwhelming. This is especially true for nontraditional students who haven’t been in the classroom for years.

Delaware Goes to College provides you with timelines and checklists of everything that you need to do to get ready for higher education. This can make the transition back to school feel slightly less overwhelming. Delaware Goes to College will also provide you with resources to help you understand how to pay for college. The program tackles everything from financial aid to scholarships, helping you find a way to pay for college that doesn’t feel like a burden on you or your family.


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Aya Andrews

Editor-in-Chief

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.

Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.

In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

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ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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