Delaware Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
If you’re planning to become a teacher in Delaware, you’ll need to complete a state-approved educator preparation program at an accredited college or university. This guide is designed to help you research your options among Delaware’s teaching schools and programs. Below, you’ll find a comparison table of approved institutions, along with lists of respected and affordable programs to help you choose the best path for your teaching career in the state.
Table of Contents
- DE Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 2 Affordable DE Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Delaware Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- US News Best Graduate Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Delaware Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares four Delaware teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states. The DDOE also provides its own ratings of approved educator preparation institutions based on metrics including pre-service teachers’ academic performance, pass rates on the state’s certification assessments, and first-year teacher preparation ratings from surveys. Each certification program at an educator preparation institution is rated separately. A Tier 4 rating indicates programs assessed at the lowest level of performance, while a Tier 1 rating represents the highest level of performance.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Delaware traditional certification guide and our Delaware alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | DDOE Educator Preparation Score (2021)2 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment3 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 3 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate3 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 3 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 3 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate3 | Net Price4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware State University | Yes | Tier 1 | 266 | 48 | 64% | 20 | 4 | N.Av. | $14,464 |
| Relay Graduate School of Education | No | Tier 2 | — | — | — | 138 | 27 | 96% | N.Av. |
| University of Delaware | Yes | Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 | 1078 | 212 | 95% | 174 | 43 | 92% | $19,747 |
| Wilmington University | Yes | Tier 1, Tier 2 | 753 | 125 | 83% | 60 | 35 | 100% | $14,761 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Delaware
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These two most affordable schools have a net price under $15,000.
- Delaware State University ($14,464)
- Wilmington University ($14,761)4
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Delaware
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Delaware
Our list of the top two bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- University of Delaware (95%)
- Wilmington University (83%)3
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2025
- University of Delaware (#31 tie)5
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The three Delaware schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Delaware Technical and Community College-Terry Campus
- University of Delaware*
- Wilmington University*
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. Delaware Department of Education Educator Preparation Reports: https://education.delaware.gov/educators/k12-licensing-and-careers/educator-preparation/educator-preparation-program-reports/
3. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
4. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
5. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2025: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings