Explore Delaware's (DE) Top PhDs: Online & Campus Learning
PhD programs in Delaware help students upskill to pursue top jobs and command higher salaries. Learn more about schools offering terminal degrees and the most popular doctoral programs in Delaware.
Are you considering PhD programs in Delaware? Earning your doctoral degree is a great way to advance in your career. You’ll be prepared to assume leadership roles, teach the next generation of workers, or publish research that moves an occupation forward. Additionally, with advanced knowledge and skills, professionals with PhDs can command higher salaries and be an authoritative voice in their field.
In 2021, 212 people in Delaware earned doctorates. Continue reading for more information about doctoral programs in Delaware, including the types of programs available, schools with terminal degrees, popular academic disciplines, and how students pay for their education. You’ll also find information on earning potential and the job outlook for those with doctoral degrees.
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Delaware for 2024
You’ve decided to pursue a PhD program in Delaware, and you want to find the best one for your needs and goals. We’ve compiled the following list of top schools to help you get started. Even if a school isn’t ideal based on what you’re looking for, you can still use these profiles to benchmark other doctoral programs in Delaware.
University of Delaware
From healthcare to business to social sciences, the University of Delaware has doctoral programs in a variety of disciplines. For teachers who want to focus their career on scholarly research or take a leadership position in academia, the school offers a PhD in Education that relies on interdisciplinary perspectives taken from cognitive science, psychology, and sociology. Similarly, the University of Delaware’s PhD in Nursing Science prepares nurses to teach at the college level, conduct research, or become leaders in a healthcare facility.
Tuition is $1,028 per credit for all graduate students, with multiple ways to offset the cost. For example, full-time students with high academic performance may receive assistantships that provide funding for tuition and a stipend in exchange for working 20 hours per week. There are general, teaching, and research assistantships available. UD also offers scholarships for graduate students.
Delaware State University
Delaware State University is one of the few schools in the country offering a PhD in optics, which allows those with a physics background to prepare to conduct studies in colleges, nonprofit organizations, or private companies. Students have access to research opportunities through the Center for Research and Education in Optical Sciences and Applications, funded by the National Science Foundation.
The school also offers a cohort-model Doctor of Social Work that focuses on social work education, leadership, practice, and research. This three-year program provides flexibility through its hybrid course delivery, which includes eight-week asynchronous online classes. Students complete a capstone project that culminates in an academic paper written for publication.
Tuition is $675 per credit, whether students are state residents or not.
Wilmington University
Wilmington University has doctoral programs that can be completed online or on campus. To help provide flexibility for students, the school has rolling admissions and program start dates every eight weeks. Tuition is $713 per credit for doctoral students. To save students money and time, Wilmington University allows credit for prior learning, which can be earned by a portfolio assessment, earning certifications and licenses, or completing standardized examinations.
Wilmington offers doctoral degrees in business, healthcare, behavioral science, and education. For example, the school’s EdD in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Innovation focuses on advanced leadership skills that can be applied on an individual, team, or organizational level. The program requires students to complete 18 classes and a 120-hour internship. The Doctor of Social Science in Prevention Science is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to address the well-being and daily needs of families, individuals, and communities. Through a combination of public health, epidemiology, behavioral science, and public policy coursework, students prepare for high-level research, analyst, and prevention services management positions.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Delaware
Just as there are different disciplines for PhD programs in Delaware, there are also different types of programs available. Depending on your lifestyle and goals, you can choose a program based on the amount of time you’re able to dedicate to coursework, the funding you’re looking for, or even the admissions and graduation requirements. Let’s look at the types of PhD and doctoral programs available.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Delaware
Full-time PhD programs in Delaware, which generally take four to six years to complete, can be intense as the workload can often be the equivalent of a full-time job. Although online PhD programs in Delaware may allow for some flexibility, the time commitment is still considerable, making earning a PhD while working a challenge. You’ll want to immerse yourself in your studies and spend time connecting with peers and professors as you navigate this challenging work.
Quality Examples of Programs
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Delaware
Part-time doctoral programs in Delaware can take significantly longer to complete, adding years to your studies. However, these programs can be perfect for those who want to continue working as they earn their degree. Even with this benefit, it’s important to consider that there are downsides to this approach. Generally, students who pursue their PhD programs in Delaware on a part-time basis do not have as much time to network with other students and instructors, limiting their access to opportunities.
Quality Examples of Programs
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Delaware
Fully funded PhD programs in Delaware may or may not require students to make a time commitment in exchange for support. If you can commit to a certain number of hours working for your school, you may be able to become a research, administrative, or teaching assistant for your academic department. Assistantships not only pay for your education but also provide hands-on experience that will enhance your skills. Scholarships and grants may allow students to receive full funding for their education without being expected to make a work commitment.
Quality Examples of Programs
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Delaware
Busy professionals may have a hard enough time figuring out how they’re going to fit coursework for PhD programs in Delaware into their schedules, let alone preparing and taking the GRE. The good news is more schools are eliminating this requirement. Below are some examples of no-GRE PhD and doctoral programs to give you an idea of what’s available.
Quality Examples of Programs
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Delaware
Accelerated doctoral programs in Delaware can be an intensive experience, allowing you to complete your degree in a significantly shorter time. In some cases, these programs take about two years to complete. Accelerated options are not necessarily just for those who have already earned a degree. Some programs allow students to work on multiple degrees simultaneously, so they may be able to earn a master’s or bachelor’s degree in the same program that culminates in a PhD.
Quality Examples of Programs
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Delaware
For people interested in conducting research, completing a dissertation can be a rewarding experience that helps them achieve their career objectives. If research isn’t part of your plan, you can save time by pursuing a program that doesn’t require a dissertation. Some PhD programs in Delaware that don’t require a dissertation may expect students to complete a capstone course to gain hands-on experience and sharpen skills.
Quality Examples of Programs
Delaware’s PhD Pulse: Explore the Hottest Doctoral Degrees
Business
Executives who want to strengthen their managerial skills by learning more about business-related academic research can enroll in a Doctorate in Business Administration. This gives students the tools to make evidence-based organizational decisions. Becoming a stronger leader by earning a DBA is a great idea right now, as the Delaware Prosperity Partnership reports that business, fintech, and financial services are among the key sectors in the state.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Nursing
Whether you want to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), you can become an instrumental part of alleviating the healthcare worker shortage in Delaware. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the growing retirement of nursing faculty is one of the main reasons for the country’s nursing shortage. Current nurses who earn a PhD can teach in higher education settings and conduct academic research. A DNP allows nurses to acquire advanced care skills to move into specialized care and fill APRN roles in short supply.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
Education
Delaware is known for its top-tier knowledge creation, making education one of the key state industries. As a result, pursuing EdD programs in Delaware can help professionals expand their reach by becoming college professors who teach the next generation in all business sectors. These degrees focus on advanced pedagogy as well as research skills. For those who want to become leaders in the education field, a doctorate can be the key to an administrative position.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Chemistry
As the home to many chemical companies leading global innovation, Delaware is a great place to earn a chemistry doctorate. For careers in renewable energy, biotechnology, medical research, or chemical engineering, chemistry doctoral programs in Delaware provide research, laboratory, and analytical skills that employers need.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Agriculture
The agriculture industry in Delaware was among the top sectors for GDP growth in 2023, which isn’t surprising since Delaware has the highest rate of agricultural value sold per acre. By completing PhD programs in Delaware, agriculture students gain expertise in agricultural technology, sustainable farming practices, plant and animal genetics, and food production processes. Also, students can sharpen their research skills, so they’re prepared if they prefer to contribute to the field in the lab rather than on the farm.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Earning Your Online PhD or Professional Doctorate in DE
Online PhD programs in Delaware offer flexible options for busy professionals with business and personal responsibilities. Students can watch lectures on their own time with asynchronous options that are especially helpful for those with full-time jobs. Students in the PhD in nursing science program at the University of Delaware can choose an asynchronous or synchronous format. Similarly, Wilmington University has an EdD in higher education leadership degree that is delivered online with one hour of synchronous work each week.
Online doctoral programs in Delaware allow students to complete their studies entirely virtually or in a hybrid format, combining online and on-campus study. Some examples of fully online programs in the state include the Doctor of Business Administration and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Wilmington University. Hybrid programs include Delaware State University’s Doctor of Social Work and Wilmington University’s EdD in Educational Leadership.
Where to Get Help Paying for Your PhD or Doctoral Degree in Delaware
Paying for PhD programs in Delaware can be challenging, but there are numerous financial aid opportunities to explore in the form of scholarships and grants, assistantships, work-study programs and fellowships. Some of this funding may come from government agencies like the Delaware Higher Education Office, which has $1,000 and $5,000 scholarships available. Another source of funding for doctoral programs is through associations representing specific professions, such as the American Library Association, the National Association of Social Workers Foundation, and the American Psychological Association.
Financial aid may be available from the school you select. Students enrolled in Delaware State University’s optics, neuroscience, applied chemistry, and interdisciplinary applied mathematics and mathematical physics PhD programs can receive a $32,000 annual stipend through the Bridge to the Doctorate Program, which is designed for underrepresented minority students.
Beyond Graduation: Delaware PhDs’ Earning Potentials
Completing doctoral programs in Delaware comes with a significant return on investment. According to the Delaware Department of Labor, those who have a doctoral or professional degree in the state earn $145,960 on average, while those with master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees earn $68,974, $82,611, and $59,202 respectively. If you’re thinking about pursuing opportunities in another state, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports these differences in weekly earnings based on degree attainment level:
- Associate ($1,005)
- Bachelor’s ($1,432)
- Master’s ($1,661)
- Professional ($2,080)
- Doctoral ($2,083)
For more information about the salary you may be able to command based on the different types of PhD programs in Delaware, review the table below, which includes the data for median and top earners in each profession.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemist | PhD in Biochemistry | $107,460 | $175,790 |
| Biostatistician | PhD in Statistics | $104,110 | $163,360 |
| Computer Research Scientist | PhD in Computer Science | $145,080 | $233,110 |
| Economist | PhD in Economics | $115,730 | $216,900 |
| Epidemiologist | PhD in Public Health/Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) | $81,390 | $132,230 |
| Materials Scientist | PhD in Material Science | $106,160 | $170,900 |
| Pharmacologist | PharmD | $128,090 | $162,900 |
| Professor | PhD | $79,870 | $177,050 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)/ PhD in Psychology | $117,750 | $157,420 |
| Systems Engineer | PhD in Systems Engineering | $111,970 | $177,020 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023