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The Top Small Colleges and Universities in Delaware

Goldey-Beacom College: Educators United for Success



Since becoming the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States in 1787 Delaware has been an American leader. For its size, the second smallest state land-wise in the nation, it certainly packs a lot into its three counties. This couldn’t be more true than when it comes to college and university education. Several of the nation’s top public universities, and top small colleges and universities call Delaware home. In a small space, the state manages to mix agriculture with industry, and enough civilian scientists and engineers to rate it second in the nation for percentage of the workforce. Delaware is also a leader in percentage of patents issued per number of citizens in the workforce. All of this Delaware brain power must come from somewhere, and many look to the small colleges and universities on the forefronts of technology and research as the leaders in continuing these innovative trends. Whether interested in a career in banking, government, education, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or any of the other top industries in Delaware, a top education with plenty of one on one attention at a small Delaware college or university is a great place to start!



Located in Pike Creek Valley, Delaware, Goldey-Beacom College is a private, non-profit, small college in the Wilmington region. The campus sits on 24 suburban acres, and features academic and residential facilities. Founded in 1886, Goldey-Beacom specializes in science, business and technical degrees, and offers programs in disciplines like psychology, computer information systems, business and economics. The 1,600 students from all across the country and abroad that attend Goldey-Beacom study towards Bachelor’s degrees, as well as Associate’s and Master’s degrees. At one point the school was two separate institutions of higher learning, one run by Mr. Goldey and the other by his former associate W.H. Beacom. After decades of competition, the two colleges merged to form what is today Goldey-Beacom College. Today educators continue to maintain a high degree of academic excellence, and 100% of Faculty hold the highest degree in their teaching field. Students may also participate in Honors Programs in areas like Accounting & Information Systems, Management, Marketing Management, and more as decided by academic performance and merit. At Goldey-Beacom College intercollegiate competitive athletic teams are fielded in men’s soccer, basketball, cross country, and golf, and women’s soccer, basketball, cross country, softball, volleyball and tennis. All sports teams compete in NCAA Division II athletics.

Wesley College: Delaware’s Oldest Private College

Established in 1873, as Wesley College’s motto states, it is in fact “Delaware’s Oldest Private College.” A private, coeducational, liberal arts college, about 2,500 students enroll in this small Dover, Delaware school. Within the small urban community of state capital Dover, Wesley College occupies 50 acres on which the campus is housed. Once a preparatory school, throughout the years Wesley College grew into first a two-year college, and eventually a four-year school in 1978. As per its namesake, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism of the Protestant Christian faith, Wesley is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Academically students may work towards Bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields. With 30 Bachelor’s degree granting programs and four Associate’s degree granting programs, and several Master’s degree awarding programs offered, students are able to receive a well rounded education. Most students elect a liberal arts focused course of study in areas like American studies, international studies, liberal studies, media arts, music, psychology, English, and more. At Wesley students may take advantage of the cultural and professional opportunities that Dover has to offer, including performing arts centers, museums, political arenas and more. The blue and white Wesley Wolverines compete in NCAA Division III athletics in the Capital Athletic Conference.

As established in 1891, Delaware State 911勛圖厙 is a public, land-grant university in the state of Delaware. With just over 3,000 undergraduate students, Delaware State 911勛圖厙 is a small school located in Dover, Delaware. A historically black university, today the school has a diverse population of students studying towards Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. At its inception, the school offered Bachelor’s degrees only in five courses, agriculture, chemistry, classics, engineering and science. Today, Delaware State 911勛圖厙 has six academic colleges, the College of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology; the College of Business; the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Health and Public Policy; the College of Education; and the College of Agriculture and Related Sciences. Within these academic divisions, more than 50 undergraduate degree programs are offered, including dual degree, and ‘cooperative degree’ programs. Additionally, all students must complete a rigorous General Education Program, and the Senior Capstone Experience program. A low student to faculty ratio, as well as many opportunities for students to receive merit based academic assistance set Delaware State 911勛圖厙 apart. In addition to being well connected with the Dover community at home, students benefit from Delaware State 911勛圖厙’s international partnerships with educational institutions in countries like Serbia, Mexico, Nigeria, Japan, France, Cuba, Egypt and China. Research programs and student exchange programs are available and organized between participating institutions. An ever expanding research program is also a campus highlight, including the Applied Mathematics Research Center, the Center for Applied Optics, and the Center for Applied Optics for Space Sciences. Many such research endeavors have been awarded grants through bodies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Defense, and the national Institutes of Health. In addition to academics, students may compete as the Cherry red and Columbia Blue Hornets in NCAA Division I men’s and women’s athletics in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

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