Accounting Degrees in Delaware

Delaware’s historic character and pro-business environment make it an appealing place to launch an accounting career. These qualities have helped Delaware develop one of the densest concentrations of accountant employment of any U.S. state.

Whether you’re looking to become a certified public accountant (CPA) in Delaware or follow another accounting-related career path, you can choose from numerous accredited schools. This guide offers information on Delaware accounting degrees, including degree types and formats, career options, and the advantages of working in the state.

Delaware offers only seven degree-granting institutions recognized by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, the state offers strong support to its close-knit student body, with the Delaware Higher Education Office (DHEO) operating multiple programs that help make college education more attainable and more affordable, including:

Education trends in Delaware reveal consistent improvement. Delaware’s 2024 State Progress Report, published by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), tracked a 10.3% increase in the percentage of the population with college education up to the bachelor’s degree level from 2012-22.

In its 2024 Pushing Ahead with Purpose report, SREB also found that Delaware had an 88% first-to-second-year retention rate among students at four-year colleges. The mark tied Delaware with Maryland for second place in the 16-state SREB group.

A 2024 CNBC survey ranked the 50 states for business competitiveness, with Delaware’s workforce ranking 7th and its economy ranking 10th. The strong showing reflects Delaware’s longstanding position as a leading business hub.

Delaware has a small higher education network, but it is generously funded. The amount of tax revenue Delaware funnels into higher education exceeds the national average by nearly 39%.

Additionally, Delaware’s population is well-educated. According to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2023, Delaware’s population has graduate or professional degrees at a rate nearly 10% higher than the national average.

It’s important to prioritize accreditation when researching accounting schools in Delaware. Accredited schools complete an independent review process that evaluates their commitment to financial integrity and academic excellence.

All certified public accountants in Delaware must earn their qualifying degree from a properly accredited institution. Accreditation also ensures that you will qualify for federal financial aid and that employers will recognize your educational credentials.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) has historically served as the main institutional accreditor of Delaware colleges. Look for institution accreditation from MSCHE, or another recognized accrediting body.

Also, recognize the distinction between institutional and programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation is required and applies to an entire school, while programmatic accreditation extends only to certain departments or programs. Programmatic accreditation is voluntary, but it signifies that the program meets industry standards. Accounting programs may hold accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

In Delaware, students engage with online higher education at relatively high rates. This suggests that Delaware accounting schools perform well with respect to online student engagement and success.

Discover the three degree program delivery formats, highlighting each option’s unique characteristics, advantages, and limitations.

Delaware’s small size and proximity to major metropolitan centers such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. present unique advantages to campus-based learners. As an accounting student, this geographic profile gives you access to internships, networking opportunities, and recruitment programs in several of the East Coast’s largest employment hubs.

Multiple Delaware colleges have made significant investments in their online education infrastructure. As the University of Delaware notes, online learning in the First State offers every advantage of the campus-based education experience with the added benefit of greatly increased scheduling flexibility.

If maximizing your scheduling freedom and minimizing costs rank among your key priorities, consider online accounting programs in Delaware.

Hybrid programs combine the traditional campus experience with the convenience of online learning. In many cases, you have significant control over which classes you take online and on campus. This advantageous feature makes it easier to enjoy the flexibility of online learning while retaining direct access to your instructors when taking more challenging accounting courses.

Tuition costs at Delaware public colleges are higher than average, but students in the state’s private college network enjoy significant advantages compared to national trends. No matter which school type you choose to attend, you may need help meeting your educational expenses.

First, look for scholarships: DHEO’s scholarship and financial aid portal is a great place to start your search. From there, you can also seek out additional funding from federal, state, and private providers of scholarships, fellowships, and grants.

Try to keep your loan-based borrowing to a minimum, as it creates costly long-term debt. For more information, consult the links below:

Out-of-state students at Delaware public colleges pay particularly high tuition rates. NCES data from the 2022-23 school year shows that Delaware non-residents pay tuition fees nearly 20% higher than the national average.

However, students from one of the Southern Regional Education Board’s 15 member states may qualify for in-state rates or other discounts.

Local living costs can greatly affect your budgeting ability and earning power. Delaware’s living costs align closely with the U.S. national average, according to the 2025 data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).

MERIC’s cost of living index uses 100 to represent the national average, and assigns states a score relative to that average. Delaware’s overall score of 103.5 indicates that its cost of living is just 0.8% higher than that of the average U.S. locality.

Delaware’s innovative and business-friendly tax policies have long made the state a hotbed of corporate activity. In 2023, the number of businesses incorporated in Delaware exceeded the 2 million mark — a figure that exceeds the state’s population by a rate of about 2-to-1.

While many of these companies operate in Delaware on paper only, the economic prosperity they generate has trickled down to the state’s population. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce placed Delaware in 13th place in its review of the richest states, while a 2020 Kiplinger analysis found that nearly 7% of the state’s households have a net worth exceeding $1 million.

Accounting professionals can seek employment in the state’s well-developed professional services industry and other major economic sectors. The Delaware Prosperity Partnership counts science and technology, manufacturing and logistics, and agriculture among the state’s high-growth industries.

Discover employment opportunities for accounting professionals in Delaware and how to become a certified public accountant in the state.

Bookkeepers maintain financial records, reconcile bank statements, collect and record incoming and outgoing payments, and help businesses manage their cash flow. While the profession faces contraction in both Delaware and nationally, Delaware hosts many small businesses that count among the top employers of bookkeepers.

Job Outlook in Delaware (2022-32): -5.4%

Compliance officers ensure their employers operate in accordance with all applicable laws and industry regulations. They are particularly important in the corporate world, and especially for publicly traded companies subject to Securities and Exchange Commission financial reporting rules. Given Delaware’s large corporate base, compliance officers have a strong presence in the state.

Job Outlook in Delaware (2022-32): +2.5%

Occupying mid-level positions in the typical corporate finance hierarchy, financial analysts help manage and deploy their employers’ monetary resources. They research trends to identify opportunities, assess financial risk and value, and contribute to organizational investment strategy. Delaware’s financial analyst job market appears poised for strong growth in the coming years.

Job Outlook in Delaware (2022-32): +9.8%

In Delaware, an accounting degree at any level can lead to job opportunities that pay higher-than-average rates compared to national figures. Examples include:

If you want to maximize your earning potential, consider a master’s degree in accounting. This credential can lead to multiple careers paying six-figure average salaries in Delaware while also optimizing your job options.

As in other U.S. destinations, certified public accountants in Delaware enjoy a path to high salaries and stable employment opportunities. To become a CPA, you need a state-issued license, and Delaware maintains its own unique list of qualifications and requirements.

These include:

The Delaware Board of Accountancy issues CPA licenses in the First State. Consult it for further information on licensure requirements.