UD vs. MHC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Delaware in Newark, DE with Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Delaware is larger than MHC based on total student enrollment (24,412 students vs. 2,275 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Delaware is located in Newark, DE (Large Suburban setting); Mount Holyoke College is in South Hadley, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Delaware is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Holyoke College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Delaware 16:1; Mount Holyoke College 9:1.

UD vs. MHC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UD or MHC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Delaware than MHC ($19,139 vs. $32,526).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Delaware are 21.8% lower than at Mount Holyoke College ($15,386 vs. $19,684).
• Mount Holyoke College is 298.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UD (about $50,208 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $16,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.9% higher at MHC than at University of Delaware (about $25,618 more per year; $67,018.00 vs. $41,400.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Delaware than at Mount Holyoke College (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Holyoke College students is 294.1% larger than aid received by University of Delaware students ($52,418 vs. $13,302).

UD vs. MHC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UD or MHC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MHC and UD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Mount Holyoke College (1460) is 180 points higher than at UD (1280).
• Incoming MHC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 30 at UD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 1190/1370; Mount Holyoke College 1380/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Delaware 28/32; Mount Holyoke College 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UD - Test optional; MHC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UD Jan 15, 2027; MHC Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UD students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.94) than students at MHC (3.87).
• UD has a higher acceptance rate (70.6%) than MHC (36%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at UD vs. 27.2% at MHC.

UD vs. MHC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UD and MHC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Mount Holyoke College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Delaware's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Delaware earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than MHC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Holyoke College graduates have a $2,997 lower median loan debt than UD graduates ($21,206 vs. $24,203).
• Among borrowers, MHC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UD graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More UD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MHC students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.