UD vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Delaware is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

UD vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD or VWC? 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 VWC ($19,139 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 22.5% lower than at University of Delaware ($11,930 vs. $15,386).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 123.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $20,690 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at UD than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $3,900 more per year; $41,400.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of Delaware (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 125% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($29,923 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD or VWC? 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 VWC and UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Delaware (1280) is 30 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming UD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than UD (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 11.9% at VWC.

UD vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD and VWC? 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).

• University of Delaware's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Delaware graduates have a $2,797 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($24,203 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UD graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($250 vs. $279).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 57%)

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.