Top Five Schools in Delaware
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware is the largest university in the state, with an undergraduate population of 16,934 students. The institution chartered as an institution for higher learning in 1833. Located in northern Delaware in the city of Newark, the University has several schools that regularly receive national attention. The school as a whole is ranked #71 by U.S. News and World Report's Guide to America's Best Colleges. Its engineering program was ranked tenth in 2006 by The Princeton Review. UD is also unique in that it is one of only four schools in North America with a major in art conservation.
Wilmington University
Formerly Wilmington College, this institution gained its new university status in 2007 due to its growing number of higher degree programs. The school was officially founded in 1968 in New Castle, Delaware as a commuter school; and the university continues to serve mostly commuter students who live in the Wilmington Metropolitan Area. There are currently 4,800 undergraduate enrolled at Wilmington University, and many of these students are nontraditional adults who may attend classes either on the main campus site or one of the nearby community campuses.
Delaware State University
Delaware State University is located in Dover, approximately two hours away from Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. The university is a historically black college, but is it is becoming increasingly more diverse. Founded in 1891, the institution has 3,303 undergraduate students and has many acclaimed programs in mathematics and technology. Another excellent program at the university is its education division. As Delaware State University develops, it is continuing to develop the infrastructure it takes to attract more research grants for applied optics, biotechnology and other areas.
Wesley College
Founded in 1873, Wesley College is Delaware's oldest private university. It is located in the major residential community within Dover, the state capital and has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,128. Although Wesley College has a covenant relationship with the United Methodist Church, it nevertheless has a multi-denominational, multi-cultural setting. The college has a student body composed mostly of traditional, students who are impressed with the intimate atmosphere, boasting a 17:1 student to faculty ratio.
Widener University
The Wilmington, Delaware campus of Widener University is one of four campuses of the Widener system. Founded in 1821 as a boy's prep school, the university now offers many degree programs in both undergraduate majors and professional programs. Widener University in Delaware has a small number of undergrad students-only 465 currently-but it also has a large graduate student population. The main campus for the university is located in Chester, Pennsylvania.
