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Delaware Technical Community College-Terry vs Delaware State University: which has better ROI?

Public, Dover DE · vs · Public, Dover DE

The verdict

Delaware State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $55,640 in 58.8 years versus not at all at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, on median earnings of $49,307 vs $41,448 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDelaware Technical Community College-TerryDelaware State University
Net price / yr$11,578$13,910
Total net cost$23,156$55,640
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,448$49,307
Median debt$10,500$26,000
Payback58.8 yrs
20-year net return-$161,396-$36,700

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Delaware Technical Community College-Terry or Delaware State University?

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, at $11,578 a year after aid versus $13,910 — a gap of $2,332 a year, or $32,484 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Delaware Technical Community College-Terry or Delaware State University graduates earn more?

Delaware State University graduates report a median $49,307 ten years after entry, $7,859 more than the $41,448 at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Delaware Technical Community College-Terry or Delaware State University?

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Delaware State University, a difference of $15,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

39% of students finish at Delaware State University, against 22% at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry vs Delaware State University: frequently asked questions

Is Delaware Technical Community College-Terry or Delaware State University a better value?
Delaware State University. It clears its $55,640 net cost in about 58.8 years versus no clear payback at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, on median earnings of $49,307 vs $41,448 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Delaware Technical Community College-Terry or Delaware State University?
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry: $11,578/yr net price after aid versus $13,910/yr at Delaware State University — a difference of $2,332 a year, or about $32,484 over four years.
Do Delaware Technical Community College-Terry or Delaware State University graduates earn more?
Delaware State University graduates earn a median $49,307 ten years after entry, versus $41,448 at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry — a $7,859 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.