Top 10 Private Colleges in Delaware
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private Colleges in Delaware
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private college in Delaware is Wesley College's successor program at Delaware State, but among true independents the leader is Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, a career-focused private business college whose strong job-placement outcomes and small classes make it the state's top private-college pick.
The Best Value choice is Wilmington University, a large nonprofit private university whose low tuition near $12,000 and flexible scheduling deliver accessible degrees to working adults across Delaware. Delaware has few private colleges, so this list also includes nearby and online-accessible private options Delaware families regularly choose.
This list is built for students and families weighing private-college options in and around Delaware, with a focus on outcomes, value, and fit. Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from the schools, U.S. News, Niche, and NCES.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each college against what students and families actually prioritize, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, NCES College Navigator, and each school's profile. The weighting:
- Graduation and outcomes - 25%
- Career placement and earnings - 20%
- Value and cost - 20%
- Faculty and class size - 15%
- Programs and fit - 10%
- Student environment - 10%
A college with a famous name but weak placement, or low cost but poor outcomes, drops fast. The winners balance outcomes, value, and support. Because Delaware's private-college market is small, several picks are regionally accessible private institutions Delaware students commonly attend.
1. Goldey-Beacom College 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private (Nonprofit) | Tuition: About $25,000 | Best for: Career-focused students wanting small classes and strong job placement
In Wilmington, Goldey-Beacom College is Delaware's leading independent private college, focused on business, finance, and professional programs. The school enrolls roughly 1,500 students and reports strong job-placement outcomes with a student-faculty ratio near 13:1.
Its career-oriented curriculum, small classes, and Wilmington-area employer connections give graduates a direct path into accounting, finance, and management roles. Need- and merit-based aid lower the real cost for many students.
Pros:
- Strong job-placement outcomes in business fields
- Small classes with a student-faculty ratio near 13:1
- Wilmington-area employer connections
- Need- and merit-based aid available
Cons:
- Narrow program focus on business and professional fields
- Small school with fewer extracurriculars
Verdict: Goldey-Beacom wins on balance - Delaware's strongest career-focused private college with real placement outcomes.
2. Wilmington University 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private (Nonprofit) | Tuition: About $12,000 | Best for: Working adults wanting affordable, flexible degrees
Wilmington University, headquartered in New Castle, is a large private nonprofit serving working adults across Delaware with flexible online and on-campus programs. The university reports tuition near $12,000, far below most private colleges, and offers open, accessible admission with strong support for transfer and adult students.
Programs span business, education, nursing, and criminal justice, and the flexible scheduling lets students balance work and study. Its value proposition is the clear leader on this list.
Pros:
- Tuition near $12,000, far below private peers
- Flexible online and on-campus scheduling
- Accessible admission and strong transfer support
- Broad career-oriented program catalog
Cons:
- Large, commuter-oriented student body
- Less traditional campus experience
Verdict: The value champion - accessible, affordable private degrees built for working adults.
3. Delaware College of Art and Design
Type: Private (Nonprofit) | Tuition: About $26,000 | Best for: Students pursuing visual arts and design
Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) in Wilmington is a specialized private art school offering associate-level programs in fine arts, illustration, animation, and design. The college enrolls a small student body, keeps classes intimate, and partners with the Pratt Institute for transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees.
Its studio-intensive curriculum and small classes give aspiring artists strong foundational training and portfolio development.
Pros:
- Studio-intensive arts and design curriculum
- Small, intimate classes
- Transfer pathways to bachelor's programs
- Strong portfolio development
Cons:
- Associate-level focus requires transfer for a bachelor's
- Narrow, arts-only program scope
Verdict: An arts-and-design standout - strong studio foundation and transfer pathways for creative students.
4. Widener University
Type: Private (Nonprofit) | Tuition: About $52,000 | Best for: Students wanting a full private university just across the Delaware line
Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, just across the Delaware line, is a private university Delaware students regularly attend, with a Delaware Law School campus in Wilmington. Widener reports a graduation rate near 65%, a student-faculty ratio near 12:1, and strong programs in nursing, engineering, business, and law.
Its professional focus and small classes give students a personal experience, and merit aid offsets the higher sticker price.
Pros:
- Full private university with professional programs
- Delaware Law School campus in Wilmington
- Student-faculty ratio near 12:1
- Merit aid available
Cons:
- High sticker price without aid
- Main campus is across the state line
Verdict: A regional private standout - a full professional university with a Wilmington law campus.
5. Neumann University
Type: Private (Catholic) | Tuition: About $38,000 | Best for: Students wanting a small Catholic university near Delaware
Neumann University in Aston, Pennsylvania, near the Delaware border, is a small Catholic university Delaware students commonly choose. Neumann reports a graduation rate near 55%, a student-faculty ratio near 13:1, and strong programs in nursing, education, and business.
Its Franciscan values, small classes, and accessible admission give students a supportive environment, and need- and merit-based aid lower the cost.
Pros:
- Small Catholic university with supportive culture
- Student-faculty ratio near 13:1
- Strong nursing and education programs
- Need- and merit-based aid available
Cons:
- Graduation rate trails the strongest privates
- Campus is across the Delaware line
Verdict: A faith-based regional standout - a supportive Catholic university with strong nursing and education.
6. Immaculata University
Type: Private (Catholic) | Tuition: About $30,000 | Best for: Students wanting an affordable Catholic university near Delaware
Immaculata University in Immaculata, Pennsylvania, within reach of northern Delaware, is a Catholic university with strong programs in nursing, dietetics, and education. The school reports a student-faculty ratio near 12:1 and comparatively lower tuition than many regional privates.
Its supportive, values-based culture and accessible admission appeal to students wanting a smaller environment, and aid helps offset the cost.
Pros:
- Comparatively lower Catholic-university tuition
- Student-faculty ratio near 12:1
- Strong nursing and dietetics programs
- Supportive, values-based culture
Cons:
- Smaller program catalog than larger universities
- Campus is across the Delaware line
Verdict: An affordable faith-based standout - strong health-science programs in a supportive setting.
7. Salesianum-affiliated and regional Catholic pathways via Saint Joseph's University
Type: Private (Catholic, Jesuit) | Tuition: About $52,000 | Best for: Students wanting a Jesuit university within commuting range
Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, within commuting range of northern Delaware, is a Jesuit university Delaware students frequently attend. Saint Joseph's reports a graduation rate near 80%, a student-faculty ratio near 13:1, and nationally regarded business and pharmacy programs.
Its Jesuit emphasis on service, strong career outcomes, and merit aid make it a popular choice for ambitious Delaware students.
Pros:
- Graduation rate near 80%
- Nationally regarded business and pharmacy programs
- Student-faculty ratio near 13:1
- Jesuit service focus and merit aid
Cons:
- High sticker price without aid
- Campus is across the state line in Philadelphia
Verdict: A Jesuit standout - strong business outcomes and high graduation within commuting range.
8. Eastern University
Type: Private (Christian) | Tuition: About $39,000 | Best for: Students wanting a Christian university near Delaware
Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, within reach of northern Delaware, is a Christian university with strong programs in business, education, and the sciences. The school reports a student-faculty ratio near 12:1 and a faith-and-service mission.
Its supportive culture, accessible admission, and need- and merit-based aid appeal to students wanting a values-based environment.
Pros:
- Faith-and-service Christian mission
- Student-faculty ratio near 12:1
- Strong business and education programs
- Need- and merit-based aid available
Cons:
- Campus is across the Delaware line
- Smaller program catalog than large universities
Verdict: A Christian-university standout - a values-based program with strong support near Delaware.
9. Wesley-successor programs at Delaware State University (private legacy)
Type: Nonprofit (Legacy private programs) | Tuition: Varies | Best for: Students seeking former Wesley College programs continued in Dover
Wesley College, a longtime private college in Dover, closed and transferred programs to Delaware State University, which continues several of its offerings at the former Dover campus. Students drawn to Wesley's former nursing, education, and liberal-arts programs can now access them through this continuation, blending a private-college legacy with university resources.
The arrangement preserves access to the programs in central Delaware.
Pros:
- Continues Wesley's former Dover programs
- University-level resources and support
- Central-Delaware location in Dover
- Preserves nursing and education pathways
Cons:
- No longer an independent private college
- Program continuity has shifted under new management
Verdict: A legacy-program standout - continued access to Wesley's Dover offerings under university support.
10. Strayer University (Delaware-accessible private)
Type: Private (For-profit, regionally accessible) | Tuition: About $14,000 | Best for: Working adults wanting flexible online business degrees
Strayer University, with online programs accessible across Delaware, serves working adults seeking flexible business and technology degrees. The university reports comparatively low tuition near $14,000 and offers fully online, flexible scheduling built for adult learners.
Its career-focused business catalog and accessible admission appeal to Delaware students balancing work and study, though prospective students should compare outcomes carefully.
Pros:
- Comparatively low tuition near $14,000
- Fully online, flexible scheduling
- Career-focused business and technology catalog
- Accessible admission for working adults
Cons:
- For-profit model warrants careful outcome comparison
- Limited traditional campus experience
Verdict: An online-flexibility standout - accessible business degrees for working Delaware adults who compare outcomes.
Which One's Right for You?
What to Look For When Choosing a Private College
- Graduation and placement outcomes - Compare graduation rates and career-placement data; a strong outcome record matters more than reputation alone.
- Net cost, not sticker - Private colleges discount heavily through aid; ask each school for your net price after grants and scholarships.
- Program fit - Goldey-Beacom suits business careers, DCAD suits artists, and Wilmington University suits flexible adult learners; match the school to your goals.
- Class size and support - Small student-faculty ratios at schools like Goldey-Beacom and Widener mean closer faculty relationships and advising.
- Location and format - Delaware's small private market means many students attend nearby Pennsylvania schools or online programs; weigh commute and format.
- Accreditation and value - Verify regional accreditation and compare outcomes carefully, especially for for-profit options.
What matters less than marketing implies: a college's name recognition, its newest building, or its sticker price alone. Net cost, program fit, and real placement outcomes shape a graduate's result far more than a single headline figure.
FAQ
Which is the best overall private college in Delaware? Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington earns the top spot for its strong business-career placement, small classes with a student-faculty ratio near 13:1, and Wilmington-area employer connections.
What is the best value private college in Delaware? Wilmington University is our best value - it delivers accessible private degrees at tuition near $12,000 with flexible online and on-campus scheduling for working adults.
Does Delaware have many private colleges? No. Delaware's private-college market is small, anchored by Goldey-Beacom, Wilmington University, and DCAD, so many students also attend nearby Pennsylvania privates or online programs.
Which Delaware-area private college is best for business? Goldey-Beacom leads for career-focused business in Delaware, while nearby Saint Joseph's University offers a nationally regarded business and pharmacy program for students open to commuting.
Are there affordable private-college options for Delaware adults? Yes. Wilmington University and Strayer University offer flexible, lower-cost programs for working adults, with Wilmington University as the stronger nonprofit value.
What happened to Wesley College in Delaware? Wesley College in Dover closed and transferred programs to Delaware State University, which continues several of its former offerings at the Dover campus.
Bottom Line
For Delaware students, Goldey-Beacom College is our Best Overall private college - its business-career placement, small classes, and employer connections set the standard. Wilmington University is our Best Value, delivering accessible private degrees at tuition near $12,000 for working adults.
If your priority is visual arts, a faith-based university, or a full residential campus, use the decision tree above to route yourself to DCAD, Neumann, or Widener instead. Because Delaware's private market is small, weigh nearby and online options too - and choose on net cost, program fit, and real outcomes rather than a single ranking number.
Sources
- U.S. News - Best Colleges rankings
- Niche - Best Private Colleges in Delaware
- NCES - National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator
- Goldey-Beacom College
- Wilmington University
- Delaware College of Art and Design
- Widener University
- Delaware Department of Education - higher education
- Saint Joseph's University
*Private colleges in Delaware review - best private colleges Delaware, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top picks for students and families.*