Online Degrees in Delaware

Delaware's central location on the Eastern seaboard justifies its appeal for students, professionals, and businesses. Midway between the nation's capital and New York City, Delaware offers affordable living with access to urban opportunity. Online degree programs in Delaware help you tap into this rich regional economy.

Get the 411 on Delaware Online Degrees

Online education is a smart strategy for Delaware residents. The best Delaware online degrees deliver career training and credentials in a digital format accessible to busy adults. The typical online student in Delaware juggles work, commuting, and family time alongside their education.

Delaware online degrees also relieve some of the financial impact of getting a college education. Like most states, Delaware is facing higher education budget cuts. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities predicts an 11.7 percent state budget shortfall in 2011, resulting in an estimated 6.8 percent drop in state funding for higher education. In the face of possible enrollment freezes at public colleges and cuts in financial aid, online degree programs in Delaware offer affordable access to higher education. Many states are responding to budget cuts by expanding online degree programs. Meanwhile, students require less financial aid if they can work while they learn.

Online Degree Programs in Delaware: Which Degree Levels Do They Offer?

Delaware online schools offer degree programs to suit different education levels. Earn a:

• Certificate
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• MBA
• Doctoral degree

The best Delaware online degrees reflect the needs of local employers. Popular online degrees in Delaware include:

• Information Technology
• Engineering and Construction
• Law and Criminal Justice
• Business
• Health care

Depending on the credential, these programs may take anywhere from a few weeks to several years to complete. A year or two of focused study can earn you an associate degree or, at the graduate level, an MBA.

What Benefits Can Delaware Degree Programs Offer You?

Delaware degree programs pay off in increased salary and job security.

Earning Power. In 2009, associate's degree holders earned nearly twenty percent more than high school graduates. A four-year bachelor's degree increased this divide to 40 percent, or $1025 per week compared to $626 for high school graduates.

Security. College graduates also enjoy a more stable work life. Amid economic turmoil in 2009, more bachelor's and associate degree holders were able to hang onto their jobs: the rate was between 5 and 7 percent for college graduates, compared to nearly 10 percent for high school graduates.

Delaware online degrees make it easy to advance your education and your career without taking time out from your life. The flexibility of digital learning, which requires only a computer and an internet connection, allows you to work toward your degree alongside a full-time job, childcare, and other life demands.

What Jobs Are Available in Delaware Once You've Earned Your Degree?

Delaware offers a rich local economy for college graduates as well as access to vast opportunity in neighboring states New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Delaware's business-friendly tax law has made the state a corporate haven. Over half of U.S. public companies and 60 percent of Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Delaware. Major banks based in Delaware include Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, AIG, and Citigroup.

Key industries in Delaware include:

• Banking
• Chemical and pharmaceutical companies
• Automotive manufacturing
• Healthcare

Delaware graduates rely on these local industries. About ten percent of the Delaware population works in financial or business management fields. Another 9 percent works in health care, and 11 percent in sales, including pharmaceutical and technical sales. The average annual salary in May 2009 was $46,270.

Delaware online degrees let you tap into the state's diverse job opportunities without taking time out from your current job. Learn targeted vocational skills and build computer expertise through the digital learning format.