Elizabethtown College has signed an agreement with the University of Delaware intending to give engineering and computer science students a new pathway to pursue their graduate degrees. 

On Oct. 9, the college announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Delaware that would give benefits to students at Elizabethtown’s School of Engineering and Computer Science when applying to and attending the University. 

Students who complete core requirements and obtain a bachelor’s degree at Etown will receive a 10% reduction in tuition at the University of Delaware. 

According to U.S. News and World Report, which tracts education statistics, the yearly tuition at the University of Delaware for engineering students is $19,242. This applies to both in-state and out-of-state students. 

“Through our new Graduate Preferred Partner Pathway with the University of Delaware, Etown students in Engineering and Computer Science gain streamlined access to advanced study in high-demand fields,” Dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science Sara Atwood said. “This partnership reduces application barriers and expands opportunities for students to build on their Etown foundation for further study. It’s one more way we help students take the next step with purpose and confidence.” 

Also waved for Etown students is the $75 application fee and the requisite Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score. 

According to Atwood, the memorandum of understanding came out of discussions with other engineering deans from nearby universities. 

“As part of my role on the national Engineering Deans Council Executive Board, I’ve had conversations with other regional engineering deans, and it became clear that a partnership like this could be a win-win,” Atwood said. “It gives our students a clear, supported pathway, and it gives our partner schools access to a pool of high-quality applicants.” 

Etown has had several former students attend the University of Delaware to pursue their graduate studies, making the University a shoo-in for a memorandum of understanding. 

“We’ve had several Etown Engineering graduates pursue graduate work at UDel, and their experiences have been very positive,” Atwood said. “UDel has a strong national reputation for its graduate engineering programs, and its geographic location aligns well with where many of our students end up working.” 

Out of 198 institutions ranked nationally by U.S. News, the University of Delaware was ranked the 37th Best Engineering School, tying with the University of California—Irvine. 

Elizabethtown has also been ranked nationally for its undergraduate engineering program, ranking 46th for colleges that do not offer a doctoral degree. 

“Our programs prepare students at a very high level,” Atwood said. “When respected graduate institutions want to formalize partnerships with us, it’s a strong endorsement of the academic quality and real-world readiness of our students.” 

The memorandum of understanding between Etown and the University of Delaware has been in development since the summer, Atwood says. 

“The idea first came up during the Engineering Deans Institute last April in Tucson, and I followed up with UDel shortly after to begin the process.” 

For the time being, this memorandum of understanding is the first of its kind at Etown, but Atwood says other agreements are in the works. She hopes that this agreement helps students get ahead with their studies. 

“It signals our commitment to creating meaningful, real-world opportunities for our students—during their time at Etown and beyond,” Atwood said. “We’re building intentional bridges between undergraduate education and advanced study so that students can imagine and access the next step in their academic or professional journey.” 

The agreement will apply to all engineering and computer science students going forward. Etown alumni within the past five years can also take advantage of this opportunity. 

“It’s a good opportunity for most people because grad schools are expensive, so it’s good to have that connection,” first-year engineering student Ethan Marquette said.