Head-to-head comparison
University of Delaware vs Goldey-Beacom College: which has better ROI?
Option A Newark, DE
University of Delaware
- Net price / year
- $17,799
- Earnings, 10 years
- $72,950
- Payback
- 2.9 yrs
Option B Wilmington, DE
Goldey-Beacom College
- Net price / year
- $15,554
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,892
- Payback
- 5.4 yrs
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.)
| Measure | University of Delaware | Goldey-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 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | 5.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $420,604 | $168,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.