University of Delaware admits 65.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 2 in 3 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the university in the Moderately Selective category (50-75% admission rate), making it more accessible than highly selective institutions while maintaining academic standards above open-enrollment schools. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates University of Delaware is somewhat more selective than typical public research universities of similar size and mission. With a 90.1% retention rate and 78.8% six-year graduation rate, the university successfully enrolls students prepared for academic success. For most qualified applicants with competitive academic credentials, admission to University of Delaware represents a realistic possibility rather than a reach outcome. Students should approach University of Delaware as a solid match or safety school rather than a reach, allowing them to focus on demonstrating fit with specific academic programs. The moderate selectivity creates opportunities for strong students to gain admission while building balanced college lists that include both more and less selective alternatives.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
University of Delaware enrolled students typically score 1200-1360 on the SAT, with a median of 1297, and 27-31 on the ACT with a median of 29. These ranges represent the middle 50% of enrolled students, meaning 25% score above 1360 on the SAT while 25% score below 1200. SAT Math scores range from 590-680 while SAT Verbal scores span 610-680, showing relatively balanced performance across sections. Test scores rank at the 97th percentile nationally, placing University of Delaware among institutions with the strongest academic preparation. Compared to peer institutions with median SAT scores of 1198, University of Delaware students score 99 points higher on average. Students scoring within the 1200-1360 SAT range or 27-31 ACT range are academically competitive for admission and should expect to find peers with similar academic backgrounds. Students scoring below 1200 SAT or 27 ACT should consider University of Delaware a reach and ensure their college list includes institutions with lower test score ranges. Those scoring above 1360 SAT or 31 ACT might treat University of Delaware as a safety school while pursuing more selective alternatives. The 99-point advantage over peer medians suggests University of Delaware attracts stronger academic performers than typical public research universities.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Delaware enrolls 15.7% Pell-eligible students and 17.1% first-generation students, indicating the university serves fewer students from lower-income families compared to typical public institutions. The 11.7% transfer student share shows limited pathways for community college and other transfer applicants. These demographics suggest University of Delaware's admitted students tend to come from more privileged backgrounds with greater college preparation and family support systems. The relatively low Pell share compared to peer public universities indicates the student body skews toward middle and upper-middle income families. Geographic diversity likely includes substantial out-of-state enrollment given Delaware's small population and the university's regional reputation. First-generation students should note that roughly 1 in 6 enrolled students share their background, providing some community though less than at many public institutions. Students from lower-income families will find fewer peers in similar financial circumstances compared to public universities with higher Pell enrollment. The moderate transfer share suggests limited opportunities for community college students to continue their education at University of Delaware.
With University of Delaware's 65.1% admission rate, most qualified applicants should view it as accessible rather than highly competitive. However, students seeking alternatives should consider these comparable institutions.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
University of Delaware maintains a 90.1% retention rate, meaning 9 out of 10 freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.7%. The 78.8% six-year graduation rate exceeds the peer median of 65.9% by nearly 13 percentage points, indicating strong institutional support for degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at 75.3%, creating a 3.5 percentage point gap compared to the overall graduation rate—a relatively small difference suggesting adequate support systems for lower-income students. The modest Pell completion gap indicates University of Delaware provides effective academic and financial support that helps first-generation and lower-income students succeed at rates close to their more privileged peers. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for academic progress and degree completion, with retention and graduation rates well above national averages. The small Pell gap suggests that socioeconomic background presents limited barriers to success once enrolled, though the low Pell share indicates fewer students from these backgrounds gain admission initially. Prospective students should view these completion rates as indicators of an academic environment that supports student success across different backgrounds.
Similar quality tier in Southeast (#257 ranked)
Higher acceptance rates with similar career outcomes.
Similar quality tier (#243 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#241 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#239 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#235 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#260 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools