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A vibrant economy, reasonable cost of living, and proximity to the nation’s capital all attract young professionals to study, live, and work in Delaware. Known as The First State, Delaware blends a storied history with a modern economy.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects accounting jobs in Delaware to grow 5% between 2018-2028, making an accounting degree a solid career investment for prospective Delaware students.
Delaware hosts nine institutions of higher learning, including community colleges, teaching colleges, and a major research university. Schools throughout the state offer both on-campus and online programs. This guide offers information on Delaware accounting degrees, including degree types and formats, career options, and the advantages of working in the state.
| POPULATION | 975,033 |
|---|---|
| PER CAPITA INCOME | $33,745 |
| FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES | 6 |
| NUMBER OF HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS | 9 |
| CLIMATE | Average Annual Temperature: 55.3℉ Annual Precipitation: 45.7 inches |
| ACCOUNTANTS IN DELAWARE | 4,950 |
Delaware attracts students, families, and professionals, largely thanks to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and to the Atlantic Coast. Home to several major chemical manufacturing companies, Delaware also boasts a robust economy and a flourishing quality of life.
Prospective accounting students can pursue an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree at one of the state’s institutions of higher learning. Learners can choose from school’s in large cities and small towns. The University of Delaware, for example, sits in Newark, a mid-size city neighboring Wilmington, the state’s largest urban area. Goldey-Beacom College, by contrast, is situated in Pike Creek Valley, a small suburban community of just over 10,000 people.
Regardless of where a learner studies, Delaware helps make higher education affordable through state-funded scholarships and discounts for residents. After graduation, aspiring accounting professionals can seek employment in Delaware or nearby hotspots, such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, or Philadelphia.
Delaware hosts nine institutions of higher learning, including seven four-year colleges and two two-year colleges. Nearly one-third of Delaware’s learners study online.
Although Delaware’s support for higher education as a percentage of its budget falls below the national average, the state’s educational options provide affordable degrees for people of nearly any income level. Plus, the state’s percentage of people with a graduate degree tops the national average.
HIGHER EDUCATION STATISTICS IN DELAWARE
| DELAWARE DATA | NATIONAL DATA | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Four-Year Colleges | 7 | 3,004 |
| Number of Two-Year Colleges | 2 | 1,579 |
| Percentage of Students Enrolled in Distance Education | 31.7% | 34.7% |
| Postsecondary Education Appropriations per Full-Time Student | $5,431 | $8,196 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 4.8% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree | 7.8% | 8.4% |
| Percentage of Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor’s Degree | 18.3% | 19.4% |
| Percentage of Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree or Higher | 13.1% | 12.1% |
Sources: NCES, SHEEO, U.S. Census Bureau – American Community Survey
Accredited schools complete a voluntary review process by a third-party agency that evaluates their commitment to financial integrity and academic excellence. Schools may hold regional or national accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two.
Regional accreditation typically applies to nonprofit, degree-granting institutions, while national accreditation applies to for-profit, vocational schools. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education regionally accredits Delaware schools. Attending an accredited school expands employment, financial aid, and education opportunities.
Programs within a school may also hold accreditation. Accounting programs may hold accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business or another business-focused accrediting agency.
College requires a major investment of both time and money, so it’s important for students to select the right school and the most appropriate program. When considering their options, prospective students should look at various factors, such as cost, location, program length, and graduation rates.
The information detailed below can help future learners decide if Delaware is the right place for them to pursue an on-campus or online accounting degree, providing resources about regional academic opportunities and the state’s overall cost of living. This section also covers important information regarding degree levels, concentrations, costs, and career possibilities.
Learners can pursue a variety of on-campus or online accounting degrees in Delaware. Community colleges and technical schools often offer associate programs, while colleges and universities provide bachelor’s and graduate degrees.
Graduates with an associate degree in accounting can pursue careers as bookkeepers, tax preparers, or payroll clerks. By going on to earn a bachelor’s degree, learners can secure positions as financial managers or staff accountants.
To become a certified public accountant (CPA), students should consider earning a master’s in accounting in Delaware. CPA candidates need at least 150 college credits to qualify for the credential, which the combination of a bachelor’s and master’s degree fulfills. A doctoral degree prepares students for top-level accounting roles, as well as careers in research and academia.
Students in Delaware can complete a general accounting curriculum or focus their studies on a specialization. Concentrations in auditing or taxation may be especially advantageous for future Delaware accounting professionals because they apply to prominent career opportunities in the state.
Accounting students can study in person or online. The following sections outline the differences among online, on-campus, and hybrid accounting programs.
On-campus learning allows students to engage in social activities, participate in campus life, and interact with professors and peers. On-campus programs typically serve full-time students, and they offer co-curricular and networking activities that graduates can highlight when seeking a job.
Requiring little if any time on campus, online programs offer convenient and accessible class formats that accommodate out-of-state students and students with family or work responsibilities. These programs often feature asynchronous courses, which do not require students to log on at a specific time, providing maximum flexibility.
In a hybrid program, students combine the benefits of online learning with the on-campus experience. Generally, students pursuing a hybrid degree program complete the majority of their coursework online, which they supplement with intensive on-campus courses.
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN DISTANCE EDUCATION
| ENROLLED EXCLUSIVELY IN DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES | ENROLLED IN SOME BUT NOT ALL DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES | NOT ENROLLED IN ANY DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Students | 15.5% | 16.2% | 68.3% |
| United States Students | 16.3% | 18.4% | 65.3% |
Source: NCES
To help finance their education, students can seek support through scholarships, grants, fellowships, loans, and other financial aid.
Federal grants, such as the Pell Grant, can help cover associate or bachelor’s degrees. The state of Delaware also offers aid to qualifying students, including the Student Excellence Equals Degree scholarship program and the Inspire scholarship. Many students also take advantage of private scholarships and other sources of aid.
AVERAGE COST OF COLLEGE TUITION AND FEES IN DELAWARE
| DELAWARE | NATIONAL | |
|---|---|---|
| Average In-State Tuition and Fees (Public Four-Year) | $9,999 | $9,037 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition and Fees (Public Four-Year) | $29,356 | $25,657 |
| Average Tuition and Fees (Private Four-Year) | $15,096 | $30,731 |
| Average In-State Tuition and Fees (Public Two-Year) | N/A | $3,243 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition and Fees (Public Two-Year) | N/A | $7,971 |
Source: NCES
Public colleges and universities in Delaware may charge slightly higher tuition rates than the average U.S. public school, but the state offers several initiatives that make education more affordable for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Delaware, for instance, participates in the Southern Regional Education Board‘s (SREB) academic common market. SREB is a 15-state alliance that allows students in nearby states to pay in-state tuition at participating institutions, though students need to meet GPA and admission requirements.
When considering schools, students should factor a state’s cost of living into their budget, in addition to the institution’s tuition and fees. According to the World Population Review, Delaware has a cost-of-living score of 108.1, which is slightly higher than the national average of 100.
When searching for the best accounting schools in Delaware, students should consider the following factors.
Small schools typically provide more one-on-one attention from faculty than larger schools, while large schools often provide more program and concentration options.
Learners should determine whether a prospective school employs faculty with credentials and backgrounds aligned with their goals and preferences.
An accelerated program can help students save money and enter the workforce quicker than traditional programs, while a part-time program takes longer to complete but offers more schedule flexibility.
Prospective students should research each school’s students services and resources, such as tutoring, advising, and career services.
Schools with a strong reputation can make graduates more competitive in the job market.
Prospective learners should research the earning potential for graduates of potential schools to help determine how well a program prepares graduates for the workforce.
An active, organized alumni network in accounting and finance can make job searching much easier for new graduates.
Nationally, the future of accounting looks bright, with the BLS projecting 90,700 new accountant and auditor jobs between 2018-2028. Since Delaware holds a strong economic position in the U.S., the state’s accounting graduates can expect to find many jobs.
Delaware’s location near Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore gives it an economic edge. The state also sits on the Atlantic coastline, making it a port for supply chains. These benefits help keep Delaware’s economy strong even in tough times.
Widely considered the chemical capital of the world, Wilmington, Delaware, is home to major chemical manufacturing companies, including DuPont, Hercules, and AstraZeneca. The state also boasts large finance and transportation industries, providing a range of opportunities for accountants and finance professionals.
The sections below outline potential accounting careers in Delaware.
On average, cost estimators in Delaware earn substantially more than their colleagues in other states. These professionals collect and analyze data to determine the overall cost of the resources required to construct a building, create a product, or provide a service. These professionals typically need a bachelor’s degree.
Job Outlook in Delaware: +9.2%
Budget analysts develop, review, and monitor organizational budgets to help improve bottom-line performance. Most budget analysts hold a master’s degree in accounting, although entry-level jobs may accept a bachelor’s degree. While budget analysts may not see much growth in Delaware, the state’s proximity to federal agencies in and around Washington, D.C., can make this career profitable for Delaware residents.
Job Outlook in Delaware: 0%
CPAs provide trusted financial advice to companies and individuals. These professionals focus on areas such as taxes, regulations, accounting, and financial filings with the SEC. In Delaware, CPAs can take advantage of the state’s large number of corporate headquarters to find jobs. These professionals often hold a master’s degree.
Job Outlook in Delaware: +5% (2018-2028)
Source: Projections Central
Accountants and other finance professionals in Delaware often earn higher-than-average salaries. The state’s reasonable cost of living compared to nearby Washington, D.C., makes it especially attractive for recent graduates.
Outside of payroll clerks and budget analysts, nearly every accounting profession pays more in Delaware than the national average wage. In particular, cost estimators, credit counselors, and financial managers gain a financial edge by working in Delaware. To succeed in their work, these professionals need strong communication and organizational skills along with financial knowledge.
Each individual state sets its own requirements for achieving CPA status, so aspiring CPAs should research the requirements in the state where they plan to work. The following list outlines CPA requirements in Delaware.
Prospective accounting students can use the following list of schools as a starting point to determine the Delaware accounting programs that best fit their needs. Some of these schools offer graduate programs, while others focus on bachelor’s or associate degrees. All schools on the list hold regional accreditation.
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