University of Delaware
The University of Delaware (colloquially known as UD or Delaware) is a privately governed, state-assisted land-grant research university located in Newark, Delaware. UD offers four associate's programs, 163 bachelor's programs, 136 master's programs, and 64 doctoral programs across its ten colleges and schools. The main campus is in Newark, with satellite campuses in Dover, Wilmington, Lewes, and Georgetown. With 24,221 students as of Fall 2023, UD is the largest university in Delaware by enrollment. It is a privately governed university which receives public funding for being a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant state-supported research institution.
| Latin: Universitas Delavariensis | |
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) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Scientia Sol Mentis Est (Latin) |
Motto in English | "Knowledge is the light of the mind" |
| Type | Privately governed, state-assisted land-grant research university |
| Established | 1743 (officially chartered 1769; became a college 1833) |
| Accreditation | MSCHE |
Academic affiliations | |
| Endowment | $1.78 billion (2022) |
| President | Dennis Assanis |
Academic staff | 1,328 (Fall 2023) |
Total staff | 4,895 (Fall 2023) |
| Students | 24,221 (Fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 18,812 (Fall 2023) |
| Postgraduates | 4,449 (Fall 2023) |
Other students | 960 (Fall 2023) |
| Location | , , United States |
| Campus | Large suburb, 1,996 acres (808 ha) |
| Other campuses | |
| Newspaper | The Review |
| Colors | Blue and gold |
| Nickname | Fightin' Blue Hens |
Sporting affiliations | (C-USA in 2025) |
| Mascot | YoUDee |
| Website | www |
UD is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". According to the National Science Foundation, UD spent $186 million on research and development in 2018, ranking it 119th in the nation. It is recognized with the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
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 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) since 2001.