University of Delaware

The University of Delaware has a great tradition of excellence, from our founding as a small private academy in 1743, to the research-intensive, technologically advanced institution of today. Our alumni tell our story of achievement, from our first class, which included three signers of the Declaration of Independence and one signer of the U.S. Constitution, to the more than 182,000 living Blue Hens who are making vital contributions to the world--in science, business, education, the arts, policy, health care, the environment, and many other areas. The University received its charter from the State of Delaware in 1833 and was designated one of the nation's historic Land Grant colleges in 1867. Today, UD is a Land Grant, Sea Grant, Space Grant, 2018 Carnegie Doctoral University – Very High Research Activity (R1). In 2015, UD received the Carnegie Community Engagement classification. A state-assisted, privately governed institution, UD offers courses in a broad range of disciplines, including 3 associate's programs, 150 bachelor's programs, 126 master's programs (with 14 joint degrees offered within), and 60 doctoral programs through our seven colleges and in collaboration with more than 80 research centers. Our student body includes more than 19,000 undergraduates, 4,000 graduate students, and 600 students in professional and continuing studies from across the United States and around the world. Among our distinguished faculty are internationally known authors, scientists and artists including Nobel Laureates, Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellows, members of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, and American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Pulitzer Prize winner. State-of-the-art facilities support UD research, teaching, and public service activities. Our 146-foot coastal research vessel, Hugh R. Sharp, the most advanced in the United States, aids scientists across the region in exploring the sea. World-class figure skaters train in our Ice Skating Science Development Center. And partnerships with renowned Nemours/A. I. du Pont Hospital for Children, Christiana Care, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Longwood Gardens, and Hagley Museum offer students unparalleled experiences in cancer research to art conservation, horticulture, history and business. Distinguished speaker series, symposia, 20 intercollegiate athletics programs, numerous intramural and club sports, more than 200 student organizations, concerts, exhibits, and other arts and cultural activities enrich campus life. Thomas Jefferson once described Delaware as a "jewel" among states due to its strategic location on the East Coast, halfway between Washington, D.C., and New York City. Today, however, the location of Delaware's flagship university increasingly is being referred to as "halfway between Los Angeles and London." In addition to our Georgian-inspired main campus in Newark, Delaware, UD has locations across the state--in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Lewes--and teaching facilities in London and Paris. A thriving study-abroad program and expanding international partnerships further enhance our students' education as global citizens.

The University of Delaware has a great tradition of excellence, from our founding as a small private academy in 1743, to the research-intensive, technologically advanced institution of today.

Our alumni tell our story of achievement, from our first class, which included three signers of the Declaration of Independence and one signer of the U.S. Constitution, to the more than 135,000 living Blue Hens who are making vital contributions to the world--in science, business, education, the arts, policy, health care, the environment, and many other areas.

The University received its charter from the State of Delaware in 1833 and was designated one of the nation’s historic Land Grant colleges in 1867. Today, UD is one of only three institutions with Land Grant, Sea Grant, Space Grant and Urban Grant status. UD also is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a research university with very high research activity--a designation accorded to less than 3 percent of U.S. colleges and universities.

A state-assisted, privately governed institution, UD offers courses in a broad range of disciplines, including 4 associate’s programs, 130 bachelor’s programs, 110 master's programs and 43 doctoral programs through our seven colleges and in collaboration with more than 50 research centers. Our student body includes nearly 16,000 undergraduates, 3,500 graduate students, and 1,000 students in professional and continuing studies from across the United States and around the world.

Among our distinguished faculty are internationally known authors, scientists and artists including Nobel Laureates, Guggenheim and Fulbright Fellows, members of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Sciences, and American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a Pulitzer Prize winner.

State-of-the-art facilities support UD research, teaching, and public service activities. Our 146-foot coastal research vessel, Hugh R. Sharp, the most advanced in the United States, aids scientists across the region in exploring the sea. World-class figure skaters train in our Ice Skating Science Development Center. And partnerships with renowned Nemours/A. I. du Pont Hospital for Children, Christiana Care, Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, Longwood Gardens, and Hagley Museum offer students unparalleled experiences in cancer research to art conservation, horticulture, history and business.

Distinguished speaker series, symposia, 23 intercollegiate athletics programs, numerous intramural and club sports, more than 200 student organizations, concerts, exhibits, and other arts and cultural activities enrich campus life.

Thomas Jefferson once described Delaware as a "jewel" among states due to its strategic location on the East Coast, halfway between Washington, D.C., and New York City. Today, however, the location of Delaware's flagship university increasingly is being referred to as "halfway between Los Angeles and London."

In addition to our Georgian-inspired main campus in Newark, Delaware, UD has locations across the state--in Wilmington, Dover, Georgetown, and Lewes--and teaching facilities in London and Paris. A thriving study-abroad program and expanding international partnerships further enhance our students' education as global citizens.