Best Online Colleges in Delaware

Benefits of Studying Online in Delaware

Widely known as the First and Diamond State, Delaware is one of most densely populated states in America, boasting a population of just under 1 million (the 45th largest of any state). It's capitol city of Dover is home to nearly 40,000 people, while Wilmington serves as the very large main city - with a population of more than 72,000. The total area of the state isn't all that vast (with 2,489 square miles, it's the 49th smallest state), however, the coast line provides a variety of outdoor activities. Moreover, since Delaware is surrounded by water on all sides, there is no lack of outdoor recreation amenities, such as beachfront destinations, to explore and enjoy.

Employment Stats

In terms of economic health, Delaware is 43rd in the nation with more than 463,600 employed workers (accounting for 0.3% of the nation's workforce). That number is up from just 451,000 in 2021 - a growth of 2.59%, which makes Delaware the 36th fastest growing state from the standpoint of jobs added year over year. Although this growth rate is slightly above the national average, the overall gross numbers still trail the median state by more than 1.5 million (the difference is -77%).

At the tail end of the list, Delaware narrowly trailed South Dakota (which recorded 455,000 oppportunities, compared to Delaware's 463,600), giving the Dakotas a slim 8,000 person (or 1.80%) advantage. On the flip side, Delaware just barely outperformed Rhode Island, which employed just 496,000 people (-33,000 fewer than Delaware, and a margin of -6.6%). The nation leader (California) sits a whopping 97% ahead of Delaware, which isn't surprising given that Delaware only accounts for 0.3% of the nation's population.

Job Opportunities

Although Delaware is a tiny state (home to around a million people), in that million-person population, there’s a total of 533 occupations spread across the state. That falls short of the national median of 722 occupations, which makes it the 48th rank among states in terms of job diversity. Louisiana is a good representation of the true median, since it has the exact same number of job types as the national median (722). This puts Delaware about -26.2% below the median, so for some recent graduates who are looking for an incredibly diverse selection of job types, Delaware may not be your top choice.

Delaware is home to a number of highly-ranked universities, such as the University of Delaware, located in Newark. The university has a total enrollment of around 23,000, with a good selection of undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of the same majors are available that you would find at larger universities, just without the same student body, which can make for a more intimate college experience depending on what you’re looking for.

Other notable universities include Wilmington University, which has an enrollment of nearly 20,000, ranking it up there among the state’s largest universities. Additionally, Delaware State University is an incredibly diverse college, located in Dover, and it has an enrollment of around 4,500 students. Both of these schools value hard work and offer a variety of scholarships and grants to make tuition more affordable.

Overall, the data points to Delaware as a solid option when it comes to landing a job after graduation. Although its population may be small and its total land area is tiny, the state’s coastal lines provide ample space for outdoor activities and its labor market continues to grow. Despite its small size, the fact that Delaware remains close to the national average in terms of year-over-year growth suggests that more opportunities are expected to emerge over the coming years. With an abundance of outdoor recreation and an overall positive economic outlook, Delaware is a great option for any student looking to study in a small-but-growing state.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)