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University of Delaware vs Goldey-Beacom College: which has better ROI?

Public, Newark DE · vs · Private nonprofit, Wilmington DE

The verdict

University of Delaware has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,196 in 2.9 years versus 5.4 years at Goldey-Beacom College, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $59,892 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of DelawareGoldey-Beacom College
Net price / yr$17,799$15,554
Total net cost$71,196$62,216
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,950$59,892
Median debt$24,572$18,900
Payback2.9 yrs5.4 yrs
20-year net return$420,604$168,424

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

Which is cheaper, University of Delaware or Goldey-Beacom College?

Goldey-Beacom College, at $15,554 a year after aid versus $17,799 — a gap of $2,245 a year, or $8,980 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 Goldey-Beacom College graduates earn more?

University of Delaware graduates report a median $72,950 ten years after entry, $13,058 more than the $59,892 at Goldey-Beacom College. 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 Goldey-Beacom College?

Goldey-Beacom College: its completers carry a median $18,900 in federal loans versus $24,572 at University of Delaware, a difference of $5,672. 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 57% at Goldey-Beacom College. 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 Goldey-Beacom College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Delaware or Goldey-Beacom College a better value?
University of Delaware. It clears its $71,196 net cost in about 2.9 years versus 5.4 years at Goldey-Beacom College, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $59,892 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Delaware or Goldey-Beacom College?
Goldey-Beacom College: $15,554/yr net price after aid versus $17,799/yr at University of Delaware — a difference of $2,245 a year, or about $8,980 over four years.
Do University of Delaware or Goldey-Beacom College graduates earn more?
University of Delaware graduates earn a median $72,950 ten years after entry, versus $59,892 at Goldey-Beacom College — a $13,058 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.