Educational Attainment
About 34.6% of Delaware adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, close to the national average, with concentrations of advanced degrees near Wilmington and Newark.
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year (FRED GCT1502DE).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 34.6 | 34.3 |
- •The University of Delaware in Newark is the state's largest driver of educational attainment.
Schools
Delaware operates roughly 220 public schools across its three counties, serving a compact but diverse student population within the state's vocational and traditional district system.
Public schools reporting teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Public school enrollment (K-12)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Public schools | 220 | 550 |
- •Delaware uses a mix of traditional school districts and statewide vocational-technical school districts.
Universities
Delaware is home to major institutions including the University of Delaware in Newark and Delaware State University in Dover, anchoring the state's higher education system.
College and graduate school students
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, undergraduate + graduate/professional, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher (%) | 34.6 | 34.3 |
- •The University of Delaware, founded in 1743, is one of the oldest universities in the United States.
Graduation Rates
Delaware's public high school graduation rate is approximately 91%, among the higher rates in the Mid-Atlantic region, reflecting statewide investment in vocational-technical programs.
Adults 25+ with a high school diploma or higher
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B15003 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate (%) | 91 | 87 |
- •Delaware's vocational-technical high schools contribute to its above-average graduation rate.
Student Enrollment
Delaware public schools enroll approximately 138,000 K-12 students, with New Castle County accounting for the largest share of enrollment statewide.
People enrolled in school (age 3+)
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B14001 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student enrollment (k) | 138 | 900 |
- •New Castle County, home to Wilmington, enrolls more than half of Delaware's public school students.
Student-Teacher Ratios
Delaware's average student-teacher ratio is about 13:1, slightly better than the national average, supporting more individualized instruction in public schools.
Students per full-time teacher (public schools)
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
Full-time-equivalent public school teachers
1986–2024NCES Common Core of Data, public schools (school year starting in the year shown), via Urban Institute Education Data API.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Student-teacher ratio | 13 | 15 |
- •Smaller class sizes in Delaware are partly enabled by the state's compact geography and school funding formula.