Delaware State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Delaware State University charges a net price of $13,910/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $55,640. Graduates earn a median $49,307 ten years after entry, $947/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 58.8 years — a 20-year net return of -$36,700, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Delaware State University's 58.8-year payback ranks #1,205 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 6% of them, and #4 of 6 in Delaware.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $13,910/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $55,640 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $49,307 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $947/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 58.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$36,700 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Delaware State University's own numbers. Net price $13,910 × 4 years = $55,640 total. Median earnings $49,307 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $947 a year of premium. $55,640 ÷ $947 = 58.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$36,700. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Delaware State University students graduate with?
A median $26,000 in federal loans among completers, or 53% of the $49,307 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Delaware State University students graduate?
39% finish their degree — 61% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $55,640 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $142,667 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Delaware State University expensive compared with other Delaware colleges?
Its $13,910 net price runs $1,287 below the $15,197 median across the 6 Delaware colleges we profile, and $5,146 less across the full degree.