Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Dover, Delaware
61.7% Acceptance Rate
Delaware State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
61.7%Acceptance Rate
3.09Avg GPA
984Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$27,536Annual Cost
$49,307Grad Salary
43.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
61.7%
Avg GPA
3.09
Avg SAT
984
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
860–1070
ACT Middle 50%
22–26
Avg Net Price
$15,745
Need-Based Aid
43.4% receive Pell
Delaware State University, founded in 1891, is a public HBCU in Dover renowned for agriculture, aviation, and STEM programs. Ranked among the top regional universities, it champions diversity and research.
The campus includes flight simulators, farm labs, and a new innovation center. Its strong ROTC and industry partnerships provide unique career pathways for students.
Delaware State University Acceptance Rate
Delaware State University is moderately selective. 61.7% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Delaware State University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 61.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.09 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.89 – 3.08
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.64
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Delaware State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Delaware State University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 177 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Delaware State University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Delaware State University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Delaware State University is 3.09. That makes admissions here moderately selective. Most admitted students carry a blend of A's, B's, and the occasional C.
A stronger SAT or ACT score can comfortably offset a GPA on the lower end of this range.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.29–3.49.Delaware State University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.09 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.89 – 3.08
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.69 – 2.88
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.68
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Public HBCU in Dover, DE; Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation.
- Moderately selective, around 59?62% acceptance rate depending on source/cycle.
- NCAA Division I athletics; Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
- $35 undergraduate application fee reported by some sources, though Common App lists no fee for first-year - confirm current cycle fee status directly.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Delaware State University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Delaware State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Delaware State University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Delaware State University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Delaware State University Without SAT or ACT?
Delaware State University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Delaware State University Average SAT Score: 984
The average SAT score of admitted students at Delaware State University is 984 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 984 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1070 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Delaware State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 860, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Delaware State University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 470 | 420 | 520 |
| SAT Reading | 495 | 440 | 550 |
| SAT Composite | 984 | 860 | 1070 |
Below 860, you're behind most admitted students; at 1070 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Delaware State University with a 1050 SAT?
A 1050 SAT puts you ahead of most of Delaware State University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Delaware State University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Delaware State University is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 17 | 26 |
| ACT English | 23 | 21 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 22 | 26 |
Can I get into Delaware State University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Delaware State University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Delaware State University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Delaware State University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Delaware State University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Apply through the truly frictionless first-year path
Per Common App, DSU charges no application fee, requires no personal essay, and requires no letter of recommendation for first-year applicants - remove any perceived barrier and encourage on-time submission, since there's genuinely nothing standing between a completed transcript and a submitted application.
Don't confuse this with the University of Delaware
Delaware State University (Dover, public HBCU) is a completely separate institution from the University of Delaware (Newark, non-HBCU, larger and more selective). Essay guides, supplemental prompts, or admissions advice referencing "University of Delaware" do not apply here - always verify the source is talking about DSU specifically before using it.
Lean on GPA and test scores together if available, even though testing is optional
Admitted-student data suggests around a 3.0+ GPA paired with a 970+ SAT or 24+ ACT meaningfully strengthens an application even in a test-optional environment - encourage students with decent scores to submit them rather than defaulting to test-optional silence.
Note the international application timeline is stricter than domestic
International applicants must apply roughly 90 days before the semester begins and submit English proficiency scores - domestic students don't face this same lead-time requirement, so international-track counseling should start earlier in the cycle.
Expert Insight:
Because there's no essay or letter of recommendation required, and no application fee, students sometimes treat DSU as a "safety" and under-invest in transcript quality - but with no essay to provide context, a weak transcript has nothing to offset it in this specific application flow.
Delaware State University Profile
Full Name
Delaware State University
City
Dover
State
Delaware
ZIP Code
19901
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Delaware State University Degree Worth It?
Whether Delaware State University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $60,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.65%.
How much does a degree from Delaware State University Cost?
The sticker price is $27,536/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $15,745.
43.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and 48.5% take federal loans at Delaware State University. File your FAFSA early and list Delaware State University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Delaware State University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,307. That's about 21% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Delaware State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Delaware State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Delaware State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at Delaware State University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware State University Admissions
Median earnings for Delaware State University graduates sit around $49,307 a year.
At about $27,536 a year, Delaware State University is on the more affordable end.
About 43.4% receive a Pell Grant at Delaware State University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 61.7%, Delaware State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Delaware State University average a 3.09 GPA.
Delaware State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.79 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.69, Delaware State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Delaware State University — aim above 984, ideally within the 860–1070 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Delaware State University is February 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 35. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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