First State Times

Average tuition fees rose 2.4% for college students in Delaware in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Data shows that students paid $17,984 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $415 more than the previous school year.

Among the 11 institutions providing full disclosure in the state, the University of Delaware stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $30,347. Delaware College of Art and Design followed with an average of $29,500 per year. Polytech Adult Education students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $1,445.

Currently there are 13 higher education institutions in Delaware.

At the time, at least $78.4 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started college in Delaware. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $37.3 million.

Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.

According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.

Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.

Of the 13 institutions in Delaware, two did not provide detailed data on tuition fees, including Margaret H Rollins School of Nursing at Beebe Medical Center and Academy of Massage and Bodywork.

Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.

Institution	Average Tuition Fees	Total Enrollment
University of Delaware	$30,347	19,482
Delaware College of Art and Design	$29,500	129
Paul Mitchell the School-Delaware	$18,225	103
Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology	$18,000	82
Schilling-Douglas School of Hair Design	$15,642	185
Delaware State University	$13,623	4,996
Hair Academy School of Barbering & Beauty	$13,450	12
Goldey-Beacom College	$13,050	620
Wilmington University	$12,030	9,091
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry	$5,151	11,726
Polytech Adult Education	$1,445	750