University of Delaware

Not to be confused with Delaware State University.
"UDel" redirects here. For other uses, see Udel.

University of Delaware
Former names
Free School (1743–1765)
Newark Academy (1765–1833)
Newark College (1833–1843)
Delaware College (1843–1921)
Women's College of Delaware (1914–1921)
MottoScientia Sol Mentis Est (Latin)
Motto in English
"Knowledge is the light of the mind"
TypePrivately governed, state-assisted land-grant research university[1][2]
Established1743; 281 years ago (1743) (officially chartered 1769; became a college 1833)
AccreditationMSCHE
Academic affiliations
Endowment$1.78 billion (2022)[3]
PresidentDennis Assanis
ProvostLaura Carlson
Academic staff
1,328 (fall 2023)[4]
Total staff
4,895 (fall 2023)[4]
Students24,221 (fall 2023)[4]
Undergraduates18,812 (fall 2023)[4]
Postgraduates4,449 (fall 2023)[4]
Other students
960 (fall 2023)[4]
Location
Newark
,
Delaware
,
United States
CampusLarge suburb[6], 1,996 acres (808 ha)[5]
Other campuses
NewspaperThe Review
ColorsBlue and gold[7]
   
NicknameFightin' Blue Hens
Sporting affiliations
(C-USA in 2025)
MascotYoUDee
Websiteudel.edu

The University of Delaware (colloquially known as UD, UDel, or Delaware) is a privately governed, state-assisted[1][2] land-grant research university in Newark, Delaware, United States. UD offers four associate's programs, 163 bachelor's programs, 136 master's programs, and 64 doctoral programs across its ten colleges and schools.[4] The main campus is in Newark, with satellite campuses in Dover, Wilmington, Lewes, and Georgetown, Delaware. With 24,221 students as of Fall 2023,[4] UD is the largest university in Delaware by enrollment.

UD is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".[8] According to the National Science Foundation, UD spent $186 million on research and development in 2018, ranking it 119th in the nation.[9][10] It is recognized with the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.[11]

UD students, alumni, and sports teams are known as the "Fightin' Blue Hens", more commonly shortened to "Blue Hens", and the school colors are Delaware blue and gold. UD sponsors 21 men's and women's NCAA Division I sports teams and have competed in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) since 2001. The men’s division 1 is hockey team competes in the ESCHL.

  1. ^ a b Alamdari, Natalia (March 3, 2020). "Is UD public or private? 'We're special,' lawyer says, and have to agree to charter changes". The News Journal. Gannett. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Mission Statement". University of Delaware. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  3. ^ As of June 30, 2022. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY21 to FY22" (PDF). National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). April 21, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Quick Facts 2023-24" (PDF). Institutional Research and Effectiveness. University of Delaware. January 4, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  5. ^ "University of Delaware". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
  6. ^ "IPEDS-University of Delaware".
  7. ^ "University of Delaware Brand Platform Style Guide" (PDF). November 15, 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  8. ^ "Carnegie Classifications Institution Lookup". carnegieclassifications.iu.edu. Center for Postsecondary Education. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  9. ^ "Table 20. Higher education R&D expenditures, ranked by FY 2018 R&D expenditures: FYs 2009–18". ncsesdata.nsf.gov. National Science Foundation. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  10. ^ "Table 5. Higher education R&D expenditures". Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "UD receives Carnegie Community Engagement Classification". UDaily. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019.