University of Delaware plans largest tuition increase in over a decade; DSU rising as well

Two major universities in Delaware will be increasing their price tags in the wake of COVID-19, increased operational costs and continued expansion.

In Newark, University of Delaware students can expect an increase of up to 5% for the 2023-2024 school year, alongside a 9% increase to the cost of a meal plan and a 5% increase to the cost of living in the dorms. It's the largest increase in over a decade.

That would bring annual costs for most undergraduates living on campus to $31,256 for Delawareans and $54,896 for nonresidents.

Over 40 miles south, Delaware State University is increasing its tuition for the first time in six years. The HBCU's undergraduate tuition will increase by $750 per semester, a little over 20%.

This makes the base cost for undergraduates in Dover $8,538. It will not include Inspire Scholars or students on other full scholarships.

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Both Delaware institutions say they aim to continue offering competing value against counterparts across the country.

As DSU President Tony Allen put it: “We have been, are, and will continue to be the best return on investment in higher education for students and their families."

Increases come again for University of Delaware

University of Delaware is working against the continuing impacts of inflation, one spokesperson told Delaware Online/The News Journal.

The board of trustees approved this tuition increase this month, alongside approving a proposal to keep student fees flat for the forthcoming academic year.

It's the largest increase since 2011, which saw 7%. Increases have come just about every year since, except 2020.

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Again, the university received a record number of undergraduate applications in 2023, as President Dennis Assanis said in a March meeting with the board. Applications increased 6.5% from the year before.

Such increases come with calls to keep up with staffing and resource needs as well.

“We’re not going to rest on our laurels,” Assanis told the meeting back in March. “There’s still tremendous room to grow, and we’re very, very excited about the future.”

What has Delaware State been up to?

President Allen pointed to significant enrollment growth since the last tuition increase in 2017.

Last fall, Delaware State University marked a 40% expansion in the last decade, welcoming the largest class of 1,700 freshmen and more than 6,200 total students for the first time in over 130 years. Graduate enrollment is up nearly 6% from 2021, online by over 56%.

In 2021, the state's only HBCU acquired Wesley College in downtown Dover, expanding its campus footprint, student body and degree program. During the same period, Delaware State continued to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tremendous private, philanthropic support — including $2 million donated to the Student Emergency Relief Fund — helped the university weather pandemic turbulence.

But, after six years of constant growth, "We want to make investments in long-term financial sustainability," Allen said over the phone Thursday. "We see this increase as an opportunity to do that."

The Inspire Scholarship has seen growth of its own. Of nearly 700 first-year students from Delaware, 67% receive aid from the program. Allen expects that figure to remain consistent, not impacted by the announced increase.

Modifications to scholarship formulae will also allow a reduction of up to $1,000 in cost of attendance for students whose families make less than $30,000 per year, according to Allen.

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This increase comes with eyes on necessary upgrades to classrooms and residence halls, as well as investing in academic programs, explained Anas Ben Addi in a press release from Delaware State.

“We’re now operating in the ‘new normal’ for institutions of higher education," the chief financial officer said in a statement. "Making the thoughtful decisions necessary to continue our growth trajectory, while delivering on our promises to our community."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Delaware, Delaware State increasing their tuition costs