University of Delaware — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Delaware charges a net price of $17,799/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $71,196. Graduates earn a median $72,950 ten years after entry, $24,590/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.9 years — a 20-year net return of $420,604, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Delaware's 2.9-year payback ranks #170 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 87% of them, and #1 of 6 in Delaware.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,799/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $71,196 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $72,950 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $24,590/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,572 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $420,604 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Delaware's own numbers. Net price $17,799 × 4 years = $71,196 total. Median earnings $72,950 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $24,590 a year of premium. $71,196 ÷ $24,590 = 2.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $420,604. 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 University of Delaware students graduate with?
A median $24,572 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $72,950 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Delaware students graduate?
81% finish their degree. Spread the $71,196 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $87,896 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Delaware expensive compared with other Delaware colleges?
Its $17,799 net price runs $2,603 above the $15,197 median across the 6 Delaware colleges we profile, or $10,410 more across the full degree.