How to get into University of Delaware
How to get into UDel: a flagship public with strong engineering, business, and the Honors College advantage
70.6%
Acceptance rate
$16,810
In-state cost
$41,400
Out-of-state cost
What makes University of Delaware admissions different
The University of Delaware is the state's flagship public — roughly 19,000 undergrads on a residential campus in Newark, Delaware. UDel admits around 71% of applicants overall but the Honors College and direct-admit programs (Alfred Lerner College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Health Sciences with direct-admit pre-nursing and pre-PT, and the College of Education and Human Development) all read in their own pools. For Delaware residents, UDel offers in-state tuition that makes it one of the best Mid-Atlantic public values.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App by UDel's Early Action (typically November 1) or Regular Decision deadlines. EA is non-binding and gives earliest decision plus best consideration for Honors and scholarships.
- 2.
Delaware residents: confirm in-state tuition eligibility and Delaware's SEED scholarship for eligible in-state students.
- 3.
Apply to the Honors College through the same application (check the box). The UDel Honors College is one of the more respected public honors programs in the Mid-Atlantic with smaller seminars, an honors thesis, and dedicated housing.
- 4.
Pick the right college. Lerner Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Health Sciences (nursing, PT, OT direct-admit pathways), and Education each have their own program-specific framing.
- 5.
Apply for named merit scholarships (Eugene du Pont Memorial Distinguished Scholar, Trustee, Centennial). These are stacked with EA admission consideration.
- 6.
Out-of-state applicants: run the net price calculator. OOS sticker is meaningful at UDel; merit aid is the main lever for affordability.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing the EA deadline and the Honors College/merit consideration that comes with it.
- ✕
Applying to a non-direct-admit nursing or PT program planning to transfer in. The direct-admit pathways are the cleaner route.
- ✕
Skipping the Honors College checkbox on the application.
- ✕
Treating UDel as a generic Mid-Atlantic backup without engaging with what it specifically offers (the chemical engineering program, the Lerner business pipeline, the Disaster Research Center).
The specifics for University of Delaware
Application deadlines
- Early ActionNovember 1, 2025Non-binding; priority for Honors and merit consideration
- Regular DecisionJanuary 15, 2026
What makes this admissions process distinctive
One of the more respected public honors programs in the Mid-Atlantic, with smaller seminars, an honors thesis, dedicated housing, and an interdisciplinary curriculum.
Chemical engineering reputation
UDel's chemical engineering program is one of the most respected undergraduate ChemE programs in the country, with strong research and industry placement.
Direct-admit pre-health pathways
The College of Health Sciences offers direct-admit pathways into nursing, physical therapy (DPT), occupational therapy, and other clinical programs.
Notable scholarships at University of Delaware
Eugene du Pont Memorial Distinguished Scholar AwardFull cost of attendance
UDel's flagship full-ride merit award for top applicants, selected from EA applicants through a separate finalist process.
What graduates actually do
UDel graduates feed the mid-Atlantic corporate corridor heavily, with particular density at DuPont, JPMorgan Chase (Wilmington is a major banking hub), and Philadelphia/DC-area employers. The Lerner College of Business and the College of Engineering are particular strengths, and the university's chemical engineering program is consistently top-ranked nationally. UDel is also notable as President Joe Biden's alma mater.
Notable alumni
- Joe Biden — Politics (46th US President)
- Chris Christie — Politics (former NJ Governor)
- Rob Estes — Acting
- Susan Stroman — Theater directing/choreography (Tony winner)
- Adam Robinson — Education (Princeton Review co-founder)
Transfer pathway
UDel accepts transfers via the Associate in Arts Program, a formal partnership between UDel and Delaware Technical Community College (Delaware Tech) that guarantees admission to UDel for students who complete the AA at one of three regional Delaware Tech campuses with a 2.5+ GPA. UDel also accepts transfers from out-of-state community colleges via course-by-course evaluation. Selective programs (nursing, engineering, business) require higher GPAs.
Articulation partners
Delaware Technical Community College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you're a Delaware resident with a B+ transcript and reasonable rigor, UDel is a likely admit and a strong in-state value. For high-achieving applicants in or out of state, the Honors College, named merit scholarships, and direct-admit health-science pathways are the levers that move UDel from 'fine flagship' to 'exceptional value.' EA is the cleanest move for committed applicants.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.