Skip to content
degreedividend.
ROI calculator
Independent college researchBuilt on federal dataNo rankings for sale

Head-to-head comparison

University of Delaware vs Wilmington University: which has better ROI?

Public, Newark DE · vs · Private nonprofit, New Castle DE

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

Option A Newark, DE

University of Delaware

Net price / year
$17,799
Earnings, 10 years
$72,950
Payback
2.9 yrs

Option B New Castle, DE

Wilmington University

Net price / year
$15,644
Earnings, 10 years
$53,844
Payback
11.4 yrs
The verdict

University of Delaware has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $71,196 in 2.9 years versus 11.4 years at Wilmington University, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $53,844 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of DelawareWilmington University
Net price / yr$17,799$15,644
Total net cost$71,196$62,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,950$53,844
Median debt$24,572$20,000
Payback2.9 yrs11.4 yrs
20-year net return$420,604$47,104

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 Wilmington University?

Wilmington University, at $15,644 a year after aid versus $17,799 — a gap of $2,155 a year, or $8,620 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 Wilmington University graduates earn more?

University of Delaware graduates report a median $72,950 ten years after entry, $19,106 more than the $53,844 at Wilmington University. 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 Wilmington University?

Wilmington University: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $24,572 at University of Delaware, a difference of $4,572. 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 20% at Wilmington University. 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 Wilmington University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Delaware or Wilmington University a better value?
University of Delaware. It clears its $71,196 net cost in about 2.9 years versus 11.4 years at Wilmington University, on median earnings of $72,950 vs $53,844 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Delaware or Wilmington University?
Wilmington University: $15,644/yr net price after aid versus $17,799/yr at University of Delaware — a difference of $2,155 a year, or about $8,620 over four years.
Do University of Delaware or Wilmington University graduates earn more?
University of Delaware graduates earn a median $72,950 ten years after entry, versus $53,844 at Wilmington University — a $19,106 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.