UD Admission Requirements

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UD Admission Overview

UD admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year UD admitted 70.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.94 GPA (A) and SAT 1190-1370 / ACT 28-32. UD is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UD Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

70.6%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Delaware

Acceptance Rate

The UD acceptance rate is 70.6%. Last year, 28,238 of 39,995 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Delaware.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UD and can you get accepted?

UD is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

University of Delaware typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.94. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UD GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.94

Typical High School Grades

A

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.94

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UD typically have around a 3.94 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. UD is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

47% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in Delaware for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of Delaware freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 47.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 19.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 9.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 3.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UD Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of Delaware is test-optional for first-year admission. Applicants may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores and are not disadvantaged if they omit them. Students who send scores may self-report them; Delaware superscores the SAT and uses the highest ACT composite. The writing sections and SAT Subject Tests are not required. Applicants without scores remain eligible for merit awards and the Honors College.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.udel.edu/apply/undergraduate-admissions/apply-to-ud/freshman-admissions/

UD SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1190-1370

Freshmen who sent SAT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 600
  • Math 590
  • Composite 1190
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Delaware

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 690
  • Math 680
  • Composite 1370
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Delaware

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UD typically score around a 1280 SAT (middle 50% 1190–1370) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 86th percentile nationally. UD ranks #1 in the state of Delaware and #229 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1190 to 1370

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

UD is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1280 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Delaware
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1370+ Above 75th >82%
1280 to 1370 Avg + 71%-82%
1190 to 1280 Avg - 56%-71%
Below 1190 Below mid-50 <56%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UD ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

28-32

Freshmen reporting ACT

3%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 26
  • Math 26
  • Composite 28
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Delaware

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 32
  • Composite 32
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Delaware

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UD typically have around a 30 ACT (mid-50 28–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 93rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UD places #1 among colleges in Delaware and #129 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 32

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to UD without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 30.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Delaware
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
32+ Above 75th >82%
30 to 32 Avg + 71%-82%
28 to 30 Avg - 56%-71%
Below 28 Below mid-50 <56%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

65% of University of Delaware freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 32% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Delaware students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 32%
Top 25% of class 65%
Top 50% of class 93%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UD chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Delaware admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 24,154 15,840 39,995
Accepted 17,748 10,489 28,238
Acceptance Rate 73% 66% 71%
Enrolled 2,660 1,764 4,424
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 17% 16%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Delaware and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Delaware application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Delaware is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Delaware
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UD is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 70.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.94 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1190-1370); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of Delaware often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=130943.

GPA calculator: University of Delaware GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026