Types of Colleges
Community Colleges
Community colleges are open to everyone with a high school diploma or GED. They can prepare you for a specific career or trade or be a steppingstone to a bachelor’s degree. Tuition is usually the lowest among all types of colleges.
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- Average time to degree: one to three years
- Possible degrees: Certificate, License, Associate
- Funding type: Public
Examples:
- Delaware Technical and Community College (DTCC) (public)
College or University
An institution that primarily offers bachelor’s degree programs. Entrance requirements vary, depending on how selective a college is. Public universities offer in-state tuition so residents pay less than out-of-state students. Private colleges usually have higher tuition but might be able to offer more financial aid.
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- Average time to degree: four to six years
- Possible degrees: Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional, Doctoral
- Funding type: Public, Private not-for-profit, Private for-profit
Examples:
- Delaware College of Art and Design (private, not-for-profit)
- Delaware State University (public)
- Goldey-Beacom (private, not-for-profit)
- University of Delaware (public)
- Wilmington University (private, not-for-profit)
Types of Degrees
Undergraduate Degrees
The first level of higher education (post high school) to earn a degree.
Associate Degree
An undergraduate associate degree typically takes two years to complete.
Examples: Associate of Arts (AA) degree or an Applied Science (AAS) degree. Students who earn an AA degree may transfer credits to a four-year college or university. Those who have earned an AAS degree (which is occupation-specific, such as automotive technician) may be able to transfer some credits earned to a four-year institution.
Occupations in Demand in Delaware
| Career | Physical Therapist Assistant | Chef and Head Cook | Preschool Teacher | Food Service Managers | Medical Assistant |
| Average Annual Salary | $71,730 | $50,080 | $28,560 | $69,420 | $36,470 |
| Annual Average Growth Rate | 4.2% | 3.3% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 2.4% |
Bachelor’s Degree
An undergraduate bachelor’s degree typically takes four to six years to complete. The area of study that you focus on is called a major. Typically, one-third to one-half of the courses you take will be related to your major.
Degree examples: Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Major examples: Accounting, education, engineering, biology
Occupations in Demand in Delaware
| Career | Accountant1 | Information Security Analyst | Financial and Investment Analysts1 | Software Developers1 | Market Research Analyst1 |
| Average Annual Salary | $81,410 | $102,410 | $86,380 | $101,000 | $80,920 |
| Annual Average Growth Rate | 2.8% | 2.6% | 0.6% | 2.1% | 1.9% |
| Career | Human Resources Specialists1 | Financial Managers1 | General and Operations Managers1 | Management Analysts1 | Nurse1 |
| Average Annual Salary | $62,200 | $163,360 | $126,380 | $79,650 | $75,380 |
| Annual Average Growth Rate | 0.7% | 1.5% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 1.5% |
Delaware Department of Labor Long-Term Occupation Predictions 2020-2030, 2022
O*net Online and Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data
1 Eligible for Delaware’s Career-based Scholarship
Graduate Degrees
These degrees provide advanced education after undergraduate degree.
Master’s Degree
A master’s degree is a graduate degree specializing in a specific area. Typically takes one to two years beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Examples: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MS)
Doctoral Degree
A doctoral degree is a graduate degree specializing in a specific area. Typically takes two to six years beyond a bachelor’s degree.
Examples: Doctor of Philosophy in any field (Ph.D.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Occupations in Demand in Delaware
| Career | Mental Health Counselor | Nurse Practitioner | Speech-Language Pathologist1 | Child, Family and School Social Workers | Physician Assistants | Medical and Health Services Managers |
| Average Annual Salary | $46,910 | $121,470 | $79,120 | $41,450 | $120,740 | $101,340 |
| Annual Average Growth Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | 2.8% | 1.4% | 3.9% | 3.7% |
Delaware Department of Labor Long-Term Occupation Predictions 2020-2030, 2022
O*net Online and Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage data
1 Eligible for Delaware’s Educator and High Need Specialist Scholarship
Military Schools/Opportunities
Students who want to pursue a college degree and
prepare for a military commitment have four options.
1. Service Academies
Extremely elite and selective, requires a minimum service obligation of five years after graduation. Tuition, books, board and health care are fully paid for all four years. Requires a congressional letter of recommendation to apply. Some admission requirements begin the junior year of high school.
Examples: U.S. Military Academy (West Point), U.S. Naval Academy
2. Senior Military Colleges
Combines higher education and military instruction. Every student must participate in Reserve Officers Training Corps but only students who receive an ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service after graduation.
Examples: The Citadel, Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership
3. Maritime Academies
Produces officers for ships for shipping and transportation needs, but a service commitment is not always required.
Examples: Massachusetts Maritime Academy
4. ROTC
ROTC is a college program that prepares you to become a military officer while you get a four-year degree. Scholarships are available to cover tuition and living expenses in exchange for service after graduation.
ROTC Programs at Delaware Colleges:
| Air Force ROTC | Army ROTC |
| University of Delaware
Affiliated Schools: |
University of Delaware
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