46.58%

Acceptance Rate

$10,256

Avg.Financial Aid

001428

FAFSA Code

Delaware State University (DSU) Report Card

Selectivity
C
46.6% acceptance rate
Academics
D
39% graduation rate
Class Size
C
15:1 student-faculty ratio
Value
B+
$20,634 tuition

Grades calculated by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES data. Methodology: How we grade →

Key Facts: Delaware State University (DSU)

Institution
Delaware State University (DSU)
Type
Public

Data compiled by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES and official university sources. Last verified July 2026. Citable source →

Delaware State University (DSU)

  • Type Control of Institution - Public/Private

    Public

  • Acceptance Rate:

    N/A

  • Level

    4 Years

  • Religious Affiliation Indicates religious affiliation (denomination) for private not-for-profit institutions that are religiously affiliated.

    Not applicable

  • Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which the quality of learning at various educational institutions are evaluated. Read More.

    MSCHE

  • Website

    www.desu.edu
  • Student Population Number of Students attending College

    4,398

  • On Campus Housing Does the institution provide on-campus housing?

    Yes

Delaware State University, an HBCU founded in 1891, cultivates leaders through a rigorous yet supportive academic environment. Located in Dover, the capital of Delaware, DSU combines strong teaching traditions with growing research opportunities across engineering, health professions, and liberal arts. The campus—compact and historic—feels like a tight-knit scholarly community where professors know students by name and mentorship drives intellectual growth. Delaware State's students tend to be ambitious first-generation achievers and motivated career-builders who value the personal touch and cultural affirmation their college provides.

The university offers a purposeful blend of structure and opportunity. Courses emphasize real-world application; internships, co-ops, and community partnerships are woven into the curriculum. Students praise the strong sense of community and the way faculty invest in their futures. While resources are modest compared to research universities, DSU's deliberate mission—to educate aspiring professionals and give them tools for leadership—resonates deeply with its student body. The residential experience encourages close bonds that last lifelong.

DSU appeals to self-directed learners who want an intimate HBCU experience with a clear career focus. The student body is diverse socioeconomically but united by ambition and resilience. Social life centers on campus events, cultural celebrations, and Greek organizations. For students seeking a historically Black institution with genuine mentorship, solid professional preparation, and a supportive ecosystem in a small state capital, Delaware State delivers a meaningful undergraduate education with measurable outcomes.

Location & Contact

Address

1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware

Contact

Phone: (302) 857-6060
Find Your School

Rankings

The ranking of a particular university helps a student decide where to apply, which is always a tough decision. The rankings of eductional institutions by Forbes and US News are considered a reliable source by applicants and experts. The ranking of a university is a great way to gauge its performance on several factors like research excellence, the performance of its students after graduation, student experience, and academic success. However, Delaware State University doesn't feature in the list of top colleges, according to the latest rankings of these two publications.

Admissions

  • Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.

    Rolling Admissions

  • Acceptance Rate Percentage of applicants who are accepted in an Institution.

    46.58%

  • SAT Range

    840 - 1010

  • SAT/ACT

    Recommended

  • ACT Range

    17 - 22

  • High School GPA

    Required

  • Application Fee

    $35

  • Accept Common App

    None

Admission to the university is easy and the students are recommeded to make the most out of it. The varsity has 3 admission thresholds. To kickstart the admission process at DSU, the candidates have to fill an application form and submit a fee of $35. The SAT score in the range of 820-1020 would boost a student's chances of securing admission. Notably, students securing ACT score less than 16 might also given admission but the average ACT score at Delaware State University is 19. The candidates can apply for the courses online. However, in case they need information or want to feel the vibes, they visit the school's office at 1200 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901. They can also call them at (302) 857-6060.

Annual Cost to Attend

  • Net Price Cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships received.

    $13,910

  • Average Annual Cost

    $10,670

Additional Costs:

  • Books And Supplies

    $23,420

  • Other Fees

    $830

  • Room And Board The charges for an academic year for Rooming accommodations and meals for a typical student.

    $11,433

  • Budget For Other Expenses

    $2,219

Total One Year Cost

$23,420

The next two things to keep in mind before applying to DSU are the tuition fees and the cost of living during the course tenure. The total one-year cost on a full-time basis would be somewhere around $31,684. If it sounds unaffordable to the applicant, there are numerous financial aid options available that they can explore.

Academics

Highest Degree Offered The highest degree offered by the Institution.

Doctor's degree

Student:Faculty Ratio

15:1

Full-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

70%

Part-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

23%

Academic Calendar

Semester

Research Funding per Student

$3,304

Faculty Overview

53%

Male Professors

47%

Female Professors

Non-traditional Learning

Evening Degree Programs

Teacher Certification

Distance Education

Study Abroad

Majors

Most Popular Majors:

  • Communication and Media Studies

    74 Graduates

  • Health and Physical Education/Fitne...

    64 Graduates

  • Criminology

    53 Graduates

  • Psychology, General

    46 Graduates

  • Business Administration, Management...

    45 Graduates

  • Social Work

    41 Graduates

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General...

    27 Graduates

  • Biology, General

    23 Graduates

  • Business Administration, Management...

    45 Graduates

  • Social Work

    41 Graduates

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General...

    27 Graduates

  • Biology, General

    23 Graduates

  • Registered Nursing, Administration,...

    20 Graduates

  • Agriculture, General

    19 Graduates

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    17 Graduates

  • Air Transportation

    16 Graduates

  • Political Science and Government

    16 Graduates

  • Accounting and Related Services

    14 Graduates

  • Public Health

    14 Graduates

  • Computer Science

    10 Graduates

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    10 Graduates

  • English Language and Literature, Ge...

    9 Graduates

  • Apparel and Textiles

    8 Graduates

  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences,...

    8 Graduates

  • Fine and Studio Arts

    8 Graduates

  • Sociology

    6 Graduates

  • Chemistry

    5 Graduates

  • History

    5 Graduates

  • Music

    5 Graduates

  • Engineering Physics

    4 Graduates

  • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Servi...

    4 Graduates

  • Hospitality Administration/Manageme...

    4 Graduates

  • Mathematics

    3 Graduates

  • Natural Resources Management and Po...

    3 Graduates

  • Arts, Entertainment,and Media Manag...

    2 Graduates

  • Physics

    2 Graduates

  • Special Education and Teaching

    1 Graduates

Show More

Student Body

Undergraduate Students

4,208

Socio-Economic Diversity Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

49%

Full-time / Part-time

87% / 13%

Students Gender

Male

34%

US National: 44%

Female

66%

US National: 56%

LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS

ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER

Race/Ethnicity

White

10%

Unknown

4%

Black

70%

Hispanic

6%

Two or more races

5%

Non Resident alien

4%

Asian

1%

American Indian/Alaska native

0%

Native Hawaiians/Pacific islander

0%

Geographic Density

Geographic Density

High

0%

Unknown Location

60%

Out Of State

37%

In State

3%

Foreign

Economic Diversity

36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Median Household Income

$60,802 per year

Campus Life

Housing

The students can reside on campus and N/A of Freshman Live On-Campus.

On Campus Housing Available

Yes

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

No

Freshmen Live on Campus

N/A

Undergrads in College Housing

51%

Averege Housing Cost

$6,976/year

Campus Food

The institution has several dining and meal plan options available to students and the average meal plan cost is around $4,200/year.

Meal Plan Available

Yes

Average Meal Plan Available

$4,200/year

Athletes

Division Sports Nickname

Hornets

School Colors

Columbia blue and red

Varsity Athletics Association

NCAA

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

Total Male Athletes

153

Total Female Athletes

163

Intramural Sports

9

Sports Club

N/A

Sports Team (Men)

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Football

Track and Field

Sports Team (Women)

Basketball

Bowling

Cheerleading-Dance Team

Cross Country

Equestrian

Golf

Lacrosse

Soccer

Softball

Tennis

Track and Field

Volleyball

Campus Security

On-campus housing facilities are offered to the students who wish to remain nearby. The normal expense for on-campus housing is $11,984 per year. Delaware State University has several dining and meal plan options for its students and the average meal plan at DSU costs around $4,200 per year. The university considers the safety and security of its students to be paramount. At DSU, campus safety and security features include 24-hr security patrol, campus emergency phones, 24-hr escort safety rides and mobile campus emergency alert. The number of female and male students at the university are 34% and 66%, respectively.

24-Hour Security Patrol

Campus Emergency Phones

24-Hour Escort Safety rides

Mobile Campus Emergency Alert

After Graduation

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$28,200/year

Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation

$35,800/year

Median Total Debt After Graduation The median cumulative federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated.

$26,249 - $31,000

Typical Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 4.53% interest rate.

$272 - $322

Outcomes 8 Years of Attending

Show data for students who

and started their studies

Out of 7,811 students

30% Graduated

10% Still Enrolled

15% Transfer

1% Withdraw

Financial Aid

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid.

95%

Average Aid Per Year

$10,256

Students Receiving Federal Grants

62%

Average Aid Per Year

$4,929

Students Receiving State Aid

37%

Average Aid Per Year

$5,512

Students Receiving Institutional Grants

63%

Average Aid Per Year

$7,300

Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income Aid awarded based on the family income.

Income

Average Amount

< $30K

$10,362

$30K - $48K

$10,271

$48K - $75K

$7,979

$75K - $110K

$4,787

> $110K

$4,447

Total Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$487,600

Total Non-Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$17,297,348

As mentioned, if one finds the fees and cost of living at DSU to be on the higher side, the financial aid department of the varsity would be of huge assistance. They can assist students with scholarships, grants, and student loans as well. The average financial aid at Delaware State University is around $6,659 and the federal grant is $4,101. Prospective students can benefit from state-level aid worth $5,355 as well as institutional aid worth $6,659. The need-based scholarships awarded to students admitted to Delaware State University amount to $487,600 per annum. Meanwhile, the total non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded in a year total $17,297,348.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware State University (DSU)

How hard is it to get into Delaware State University (DSU)?

Delaware State University (DSU) is selective, with an acceptance rate of 46.6%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

How much does Delaware State University (DSU) cost?

Tuition at Delaware State University (DSU) is approximately $20,634 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

How many students attend Delaware State University (DSU)?

Delaware State University (DSU) enrolls approximately 4,398 students across its programs.

What is the graduation rate at Delaware State University (DSU)?

The graduation rate at Delaware State University (DSU) is 39%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Delaware State University (DSU)?

The student-faculty ratio at Delaware State University (DSU) is 15:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

What SAT and ACT scores do I need for Delaware State University (DSU)?

Delaware State University (DSU) typically admits students with SAT scores in the range of 420-520 (Reading) and 380-500 (Math) and ACT composite scores of 20-24. Check the admissions office for the most current testing requirements and whether test-optional policies apply.

Is Delaware State University (DSU) a public or private university?

Delaware State University (DSU) is a public institution.

When is the application deadline for Delaware State University (DSU)?

Application deadlines at Delaware State University (DSU) vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

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