Delaware university campus representing data science education
Updated December 2025

Best Data Science Programs in Delaware: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 3 top accredited data science programs in Delaware. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Wilmington, Newark, Dover.

Programs Ranked3
Median Salary$112,340
Cost of Living102.4%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Data Science Programs in Delaware 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

Wilmington University

New Castle, DEPrivate

107 data science graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$12K
Tuition/yr
76.6
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

University of Delaware

Newark, DEPublic

37 data science graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$14K
Tuition/yr
55.5
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Delaware State University

Dover, DEPublic

15 data science graduates annually, 73% graduation rate

$9K
Tuition/yr
73%
Grad Rate
54.4
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.Delaware offers 3+ accredited data science programs across public and private universities
  • 2.Wilmington University leads with strong% graduation rate
  • 3.Delaware software developers earn median $112,340 annually (BLS OES 2024)
  • 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Wilmington, Newark, Dover
  • 5.Cost of living index: 102.4% of US average (above average)

Data Science Education in Delaware: Overview

Delaware offers 3 accredited data science programs, producing approximately 159 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, with major employers including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Chemours.

With a median software developer salary of $112,340 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 102.4% compared to the US average, Delaware offers competitive salaries that offset the higher cost of living.

The top data science programs in the state are led by Wilmington University, University of Delaware, Delaware State University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

Delaware Data Science Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1Wilmington UniversityNew Castle, DEPrivate$12,270โ€”76.6
2University of DelawareNewark, DEPublic$14,040โ€”55.5
3Delaware State UniversityDover, DEPublic$8,54473%54.4

Top 5 Data Science Programs in Delaware: Side-by-Side

SchoolWilmingtonU of DelawareDelaware State
Rank
#1
#2
#3
In-State Tuition
$12,270
$14,040
$8,544
Graduation Rate
N/A%
N/A%
73%
Annual Graduates
107
37
15
Acceptance Rate
N/A
65%
62%
Type
Private
Public
Public
Score
76.6/100
55.5/100
54.4/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in Delaware

Delaware offers 3 bachelor's-level data science programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Wilmington University, Delaware State University, University of Delaware. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $78,638 in the Delaware market.

A bachelor's in data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in Delaware

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 Wilmington
$12,270
N/A%
107
76.6
#2 Delaware State
$8,544
73%
15
54.4
#3 U of Delaware
$14,040
N/A%
18
49.3

Top Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in Delaware

For graduate study, Delaware offers 1 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include University of Delaware. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Delaware reaching $146,042 or more.

Explore our complete national rankings of the best data science master's programs for more options beyond Delaware.

Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in Delaware

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 U of Delaware
$14,040
N/A%
37
55.5

Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in Delaware

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science programs in Delaware are at Delaware State University ($8,544/year), Wilmington University ($12,270/year), University of Delaware ($14,040/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Delaware's competitive tech salaries.

At Delaware State University, a 4-year degree costs approximately $34,176 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $78,638, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.8 years. See our Most Affordable Data Science Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Data Science Programs in Delaware (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 Delaware State
$8,544
$34,176
0.8 years
Public
#2 Wilmington
$12,270
$49,080
1.1 years
Private
#3 U of Delaware
$14,040
$56,160
1.3 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Data Science Schools in Delaware

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 data science programs in Delaware, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.

#1

Wilmington University

New Castle, DE โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $12,270 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Data Science Graduates: 107 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 76.6 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 107 data science graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 76.6 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (107 graduates), state salary outcomes ($112,340), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#2

University of Delaware

Newark, DE โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $14,040 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Data Science Graduates: 37 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 55.5 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 37 data science graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 55.5 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (37 graduates), state salary outcomes ($112,340), and selectivity (65% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

Delaware State University

Dover, DE โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $8,544 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: 73% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Data Science Graduates: 15 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 62%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 54.4 / 100

Program Strengths

  • 73% graduation rate
  • 15 data science graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 54.4 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (73%), program size (15 graduates), state salary outcomes ($112,340), and selectivity (62% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$78,638
Starting Salary
$112,340
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
191
Annual Openings

Career Paths

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051
+35%

Data Scientist opportunities in Delaware with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$116,064

Data Analyst

SOC 15-2051
+35%

Data Analyst opportunities in Delaware with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$112,865

Business Intelligence Analyst opportunities in Delaware with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$101,469

Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in Delaware with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$122,261
+35%

Quantitative Analyst opportunities in Delaware with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$104,601

Data Science Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Delaware if...
  • You want access to tech jobs in Wilmington, Newark, Dover
  • You're seeking competitive salaries ($112,340 median)
  • You want to work at companies like JPMorgan Chase or Bank of America
  • You prefer Delaware's quality of life
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Delaware's 3)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Data Science in Delaware FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 3 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Data Science degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

Delaware-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024

Related Resources

Data Sources & Methodology

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Delaware salary data

2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

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