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University of Delaware vs Dawn Career Institute LLC: which has better ROI?

Public, Newark DE · vs · Private for-profit, Newark DE

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Delaware has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,196 in 2.9 years versus not at all at Dawn Career Institute LLC, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $30,429 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of DelawareDawn Career Institute LLC
Net price / yr$17,799$14,839
Total net cost$71,196$59,356
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,950$30,429
Median debt$24,572$9,500
Payback2.9 yrs—
20-year net return$420,604-$417,976

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

Which is cheaper, University of Delaware or Dawn Career Institute LLC?

Dawn Career Institute LLC, at $14,839 a year after aid versus $17,799 — a gap of $2,960 a year, or $11,840 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Delaware or Dawn Career Institute LLC graduates earn more?

University of Delaware graduates report a median $72,950 ten years after entry, $42,521 more than the $30,429 at Dawn Career Institute LLC. 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, University of Delaware or Dawn Career Institute LLC?

Dawn Career Institute LLC: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $24,572 at University of Delaware, a difference of $15,072. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

82% of students finish at Dawn Career Institute LLC, against 81% at University of Delaware. 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.

University of Delaware vs Dawn Career Institute LLC: frequently asked questions

Is University of Delaware or Dawn Career Institute LLC a better value?
University of Delaware. It clears its $71,196 net cost in about 2.9 years versus no clear payback at Dawn Career Institute LLC, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $30,429 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Delaware or Dawn Career Institute LLC?
Dawn Career Institute LLC: $14,839/yr net price after aid versus $17,799/yr at University of Delaware — a difference of $2,960 a year, or about $11,840 over four years.
Do University of Delaware or Dawn Career Institute LLC graduates earn more?
University of Delaware graduates earn a median $72,950 ten years after entry, versus $30,429 at Dawn Career Institute LLC — a $42,521 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.