Despite having a population of just under 1 million people, Delaware still has a large concentration of higher education institutions within the state. Currently there are eight degree-granting colleges and universities in Delaware, ranging from large research institutions to intimate art schools.
The largest college in Delaware is the University of Delaware, which boasts an enrollment of more than 16,000 students across its campuses. The main UD campus is located in Newark, but there are several other extension campuses located in Georgetown, Wilmington, Dover and Lewes. It is a unique educational institution given the fact that it is both privately chartered and also publicly funded as a research university. While the University of Delaware has many outstanding programs to offer its students, it takes particular pride in the fact that it is only one out of four universities in the United States that offers a bachelor degree program in art conservation. Another fact about UD is that it launched the first study abroad program in the United States. These programs have been adopted by many other colleges throughout the country. The University of Delaware was founded in 1743, but it was not chartered until 1833.
On the other end of the spectrum, the smallest college in Delaware is the Delaware College of Art and Design, also referred to as DCAD. This tiny fine arts college is a two-year degree granting institution that has just more than 200 degree-seeking students enrolled. In addition to the students who are in the degree program, there are about 250 lifelong learning students that take classes at DCAD. It is the only professional art and design school in the state of Delaware, and most students who graduate with their associate's degree go on to pursue of a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree from another institution. DCAD was founded in 1997, so it is a relatively new addition to the higher education scene in Delaware.
There are many accomplished and well-known people who spent their university years in Delaware. For starters, three people who signed the Declaration of Independence went to the University of Delaware - Thomas McKean, George Read and James Smith. Other notable people who attended school in Delaware include UBS Investment Bank CEO John P. Costas, NFL Player Mike Adams and former Delaware Governor and politician J. Caleb Boggs.
Other degree-granting institutions in Delaware include Delaware State University, Widener University, Wesley College, Goldey-Beacom College, Delaware Tech and Community College and Wilmington University.