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

Public, Newark DE · vs · Public, Dover 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 Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $41,448 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of DelawareDelaware Technical Community College-Terry
Net price / yr$17,799$11,578
Total net cost$71,196$23,156
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,950$41,448
Median debt$24,572$10,500
Payback2.9 yrs—
20-year net return$420,604-$161,396

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

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

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, at $11,578 a year after aid versus $17,799 — a gap of $6,221 a year, or $48,040 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 Delaware Technical Community College-Terry graduates earn more?

University of Delaware graduates report a median $72,950 ten years after entry, $31,502 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, University of Delaware or Delaware Technical Community College-Terry?

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $24,572 at University of Delaware, a difference of $14,072. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

81% of students finish at University of Delaware, 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.

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

Is University of Delaware or Delaware Technical Community College-Terry a better value?
University of Delaware. It clears its $71,196 net cost in about 2.9 years versus no clear payback at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $41,448 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Delaware or Delaware Technical Community College-Terry?
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry: $11,578/yr net price after aid versus $17,799/yr at University of Delaware — a difference of $6,221 a year, or about $48,040 over four years.
Do University of Delaware or Delaware Technical Community College-Terry graduates earn more?
University of Delaware graduates earn a median $72,950 ten years after entry, versus $41,448 at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry — a $31,502 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.