Dover, Delaware Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Dover, Delaware: median public in-state tuition $8,058 (+46.2% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $49,307 (-9.3% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 78.8% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $18,250 (+37.5% vs U.S.) 15,265 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 2 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 15,265 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $8,058 (+46.2% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $49,307 (-9.3% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 78.8% (-9.2 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $12,744 (+27.8% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $18,250 (+37.5% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $13,000
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 30.8%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 70.0%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Dover serve students across Delaware with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 2 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 15,265 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $8,058. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Dover, Delaware and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Dover vs Delaware & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, Delaware | $8,058 | $12,744 | $18,250 | 30.8% | 15,265 |
| Delaware (state median) | $5,445 | $13,910 | $10,500 | 44.0% | 44,606 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Dover, Delaware vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, Delaware | $49,307 | 78.8% | 70.0% | 10.1% | — | 45.1% | 0.53 |
| Delaware (state median) | $56,868 | 84.1% | 70.9% | 6.3% | — | 60.2% | 0.35 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Delaware (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dover, Delaware | $8,058 | $12,744 | $18,250 | 30.8% | 15,265 | $49,307 | 78.8% |
| Newark | $16,810 | $16,753 | $9,833 | 80.5% | 19,759 | $72,950 | 81.3% |
| Newark | $16,810 | $16,753 | $9,833 | 80.5% | 19,759 | $72,950 | 81.3% |
| Newark | $16,810 | $16,753 | $9,833 | 80.5% | 19,759 | $72,950 | 81.3% |
| Wilmington | $13,920 | $19,074 | $18,900 | 57.4% | 852 | $59,892 | 86.9% |
| Wilmington | $13,920 | $19,074 | $18,900 | 57.4% | 852 | $59,892 | 86.9% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Top college in Dover, Delaware by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 39.1%, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 78.8%, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Most selective college in Dover, Delaware (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 46.6%, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $84,049, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $98,411, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,503, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $43,083, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $49,307, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $146,831, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Most affordable college in Dover, Delaware (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $13,910, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Top college in Dover, Delaware by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 70.0%, Delaware State University
Delaware State University
In-state tuition: Dover, Delaware vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Dover, Delaware median in-state tuition is $8,058, +46.2% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Dover, Delaware vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Dover, Delaware is $18,250 (+37.5% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $13,000.
Median earnings (10 years out): Dover, Delaware vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Dover, Delaware center around $49,307 (-9.3% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Dover, Delaware vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 78.8% at the median Dover, Delaware campus (-9.2 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Dover, Delaware median public in-state tuition is $8,058, about +46.2% vs the national median. Versus the Mid East region, tuition is +9.2%.
Median graduate debt is $18,250 (+37.5% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Dover, Delaware are $49,307, about -9.3% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 78.8% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (-9.2 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 70.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 10.1% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 45.1% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Delaware State University (78.8%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Dover, Delaware is 30.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Dover?
This city profile covers 2 campuses in Dover, Delaware with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Dover?
Median in-state tuition in Dover is $8,058 and median net price is $12,744. For Delaware overall, medians are $5,445 and $13,910; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Dover?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Dover is $49,307 vs $56,868 for Delaware and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Dover colleges?
Median completer debt in Dover is $18,250 vs $10,500 for Delaware and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Dover?
Top campuses on this page include Delaware State University (graduation) and Delaware State University (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Dover?
Among 2 campuses in Dover, Delaware, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Delaware State University.
Sources & related
- Delaware college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON