UD vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Delaware is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 8,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

UD vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD or Jefferson? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Delaware than Jefferson ($19,139 vs. $29,325).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Delaware are 2.8% lower than at Thomas Jefferson University ($15,386 vs. $15,834).
• Thomas Jefferson University is 182.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $30,695 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at Jefferson than at University of Delaware (about $6,105 more per year; $47,505.00 vs. $41,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at University of Delaware (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 163.2% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($35,007 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD or Jefferson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Jefferson and UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Delaware (1280) is 30 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming UD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than UD (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

UD vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD and Jefferson? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $61,600 more per year than UD graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $61,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $11,703 lower median loan debt than UD graduates ($12,500 vs. $24,203).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UD graduates ($129 vs. $250).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UD students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.