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DE 2 WB at Poplar Avenue ElsmerePhoto: Dough4872 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Colleges in and near Elsmere

Wilmington University is 3.9 miles from Elsmere

No college sits inside Elsmere’s boundary, but Wilmington University’s campus in New Castle, with 3,737 students on campus, is 3.9 miles from the center of town, and Delaware Technical Community College-Terry is 37.4 miles away in Dover. About 3% of Elsmere’s residents are enrolled in college, below Delaware (6%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Elsmere. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
8
46,376 students on campus
Nearest college
3.9 mi
Wilmington University
Residents in college
3%
Below DE (6%)
Nearest community college
37.4 mi
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry · $5,445 tuition
Nearest public university
9.3 mi
University of Delaware · $16,810 in-state
Median household income
$68K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Elsmere

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university 3.9 miles awayWilmington University has 3,737 students on campus in New Castle, 20% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at University of DelawareLiving in Delaware, the University of Delaware charges $16,810 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $41,400. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 37.4 miles awayDelaware Technical Community College-Terry in Dover: tuition and fees $5,445 a year for Delaware residents.Students are 3% of residentsBelow Delaware (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Elsmere

Four private colleges within 14.9 miles, three public colleges within 14.9 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of DelawareWest Chester University of PennsylvaniaWilmington UniversityElsmere
University or collegeCommunity college
Wilmington UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 3,737 on campus · 3.9 mi · New Castle · mostly online$16knet price20%graduate$54kearnings75% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Goldey-Beacom CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 868 on campus · 5.1 mi · Wilmington85%admitted$16knet price57%graduate$60kearningsSalem Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 931 on campus · 7.2 mi · Carneys Point, NJ$11knet price40%graduate$38kearningsTuition and fees: $6,360 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of DelawareUniversity or college · Public · 22,523 on campus · 9.3 mi · Newark71%admitted$18knet price81%graduate$73kearningsNeumann UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,914 on campus · 12.5 mi · Aston, PA81%admitted$28knet price54%graduate$58kearningsCheyney University of PennsylvaniaUniversity or college · Public · 696 on campus · 13.8 mi · Cheyney, PA$14knet price41%graduate$38kearningsWest Chester University of PennsylvaniaUniversity or college · Public · 15,394 on campus · 14.9 mi · West Chester, PA78%admitted$23knet price71%graduate$61kearningsWilliamson College of the TradesCommunity college · Private nonprofit · 313 on campus · 14.9 mi · Media, PA22%admitted$2knet price83%graduateTuition and fees: $31,611 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Elsmere’s median household income ($67,944) falls.

Williamson College of the Trades14.9 mi · Media, PA · sticker $37,263 · tuition $31,611$1,545a year
Salem Community College7.2 mi · Carneys Point, NJ · sticker $17,857 · tuition $6,360$11,702a year
University of Delaware9.3 mi · Newark · sticker $30,952$13,225a year
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania13.8 mi · Cheyney, PA · sticker $26,782$14,773a year
Goldey-Beacom College5.1 mi · Wilmington · sticker $26,502$15,777a year
Wilmington University3.9 mi · New Castle · mostly online · sticker $19,644$16,623a year
West Chester University of Pennsylvania14.9 mi · West Chester, PA · sticker $28,394$20,417a year
Neumann University12.5 mi · Aston, PA · sticker $57,180$25,679a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Elsmere: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Wilmington UniversityGoldey-Beacom CollegeSalemUniversity of DelawareNeumann UniversityWest Chester University of Pennsylvania
University of Delaware81% graduate$73k earnings$25k typical debt
West Chester University of Pennsylvania71% graduate$61k earnings$24k typical debt
Wilmington University20% graduate$54k earnings$20k typical debt
Neumann University54% graduate$58k earnings$27k typical debt
Salem Community College40% graduate$38k earnings$10k typical debt
Goldey-Beacom College57% graduate$60k earnings$19k typical debt
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania41% graduate$38k earnings$22k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Questions about college near Elsmere

Is Elsmere a college town?

No. About 3 of every 100 Elsmere residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Delaware (6). The nearest campus, Wilmington University, is 3.9 miles away in New Castle.

What colleges are near Elsmere?

8 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: the University of Delaware (9.3 miles, 22,523 students on campus), West Chester University of Pennsylvania (14.9 miles, 15,394) and Wilmington University (3.9 miles, 3,737).

What is the closest community college to Elsmere, and what does it cost?

Delaware Technical Community College-Terry in Dover, 37.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,445 a year for Delaware residents; the federal net price, $11,578, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of Delaware cost if we live in Delaware?

Tuition and fees are $16,810 a year in-state and $41,400 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,901 (under $30,000 income) to $25,580 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Elsmere. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →