Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Newark, Delaware
65.1% Acceptance Rate
University of Delaware — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
65.1%Acceptance Rate
3.94Avg GPA
1297Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$29,347Annual Cost
$72,950Grad Salary
15.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
65.1%
Avg GPA
3.94
Avg SAT
1297
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1200–1360
ACT Middle 50%
27–31
Avg Net Price
$16,931
Need-Based Aid
15.7% receive Pell
University of Delaware, established in 1743, is a top public research university with renowned engineering and marine science programs. The Newark campus includes the new FinTech Building. UD's 'First Year Experience' builds foundations for success.
University of Delaware Acceptance Rate
University of Delaware is moderately selective. 65.1% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What UD 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 — 65.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.94 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.74 – 3.93
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.49
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Delaware Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark January 15 for University of Delaware (Regular Decision — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by March 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 158 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 15
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: January 31
💡 The scholarship deadline (January 15, 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.
UD GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UD is 3.94. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.64 and 3.94, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.14–4.34.UD GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: This tier demands elite, top-of-class academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: Pair the GPA with heavy Course Rigor, including AP, IB, or Honors, to back it up.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.94 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.74 – 3.93
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.54 – 3.73
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.53
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- The "Additional Info Short Response" is optional, 250 words, meant only to explain an unusual or inconsistent grade.
- UD is test-optional; no separate UD essay is required beyond the Common App/Coalition personal essay.
- UD's president changed in January 2026 (Laura Carlson, previously interim/provost) - a recent institutional change worth knowing for interviews or fit-focused essays.
- UD accepts both the Common App and Coalition Application.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 UD
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Delaware's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
University of Delaware (UD) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UD. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UD Without SAT or ACT?
UD considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Delaware Average SAT Score: 1297
Admitted students at University of Delaware average a 1297 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1297 — Slightly Competitive
A 1297 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1360 SAT or 31 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Delaware allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1200? A retake is worth it at UD. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 635 | 590 | 680 |
| SAT Reading | 645 | 610 | 680 |
| SAT Composite | 1297 | 1200 | 1360 |
A score under 1200 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1360+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into University of Delaware (UD) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in UD's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Delaware (UD) ACT Requirements
UD's admitted students average an ACT of 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
An average of 29 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 27 | 25 | 29 |
| ACT English | 30 | 27 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 27 | 31 |
Can I get into University of Delaware with a 31 ACT?
At 31, you're in the top quarter of UD's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, UD weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UD
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UD takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the optional "Additional Info" response strategically, not defensively
UD's short response (250 words, not required) exists to explain a grade that's unusually low or inconsistent with your record. If you don't have one, skip it - don't force a generic reflection into that slot.
Decide your testing strategy early since UD is test-optional
If you submit scores, they're considered; if not, your application is read without them. Choose one path deliberately rather than submitting a middling score out of habit.
Treat the Common App/Coalition personal essay as your main differentiator
With UD's own supplement kept minimal, your Common App essay is doing most of the "who are you" work here - invest your best material there, not in a UD-specific angle.
Note UD leadership just changed - reference current priorities, not stale ones
Laura Carlson became UD's 29th president in January 2026 after serving as interim president. If you mention institutional priorities or vision in an essay, make sure it reflects her leadership, not outdated references to the prior administration.
Expert Insight:
Students sometimes write a defensive, over-explained "self-appraisal" essay when they have no grade anomaly to explain - this produces a strained, apologetic response that actively hurts rather than helps, since the prompt is optional and situational.
UD Profile
Full Name
University of Delaware (UD)
City
Newark
State
Delaware
ZIP Code
19716
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a UD Degree Worth It?
At $29,347/year against a $72,950 median graduate salary, UD is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $84,200, and graduates see a 2.85% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UD Cost?
Listed tuition runs $29,347/year at UD. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $16,931.
At UD, 15.7% receive a Pell Grant and 48.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UD on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UD Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UD graduates report a median income of $72,950, about 80% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Delaware. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Delaware. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park, FL | 1304 | 29 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Delaware. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at UD
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UD Admissions
University of Delaware graduates earn a moderate median salary of $72,950/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Delaware is relatively affordable, around $29,347/year.
15.7% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. University of Delaware skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of Delaware's acceptance rate is 65.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Delaware students is 3.94, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.64 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Delaware. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.54 or below makes admission tougher at University of Delaware, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Delaware weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1297, and within the 1200–1360 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Delaware's deadline is January 15 (Regular Decision), with decisions out by March 15.
University of Delaware charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before January 15, 2026. That's University of Delaware's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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Average SAT Score of Delaware Colleges
Average ACT Score
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