How large are University of Delaware classes and what are the academics like there?

University of Delaware is a fairly large public university, so you will find both big lecture classes and smaller discussion-based courses. Intro classes, especially in popular areas like business, biology, chemistry, and psychology, can be quite large, but many upper-level classes get noticeably smaller.

If you want a more personal academic experience there, major and course level matter a lot. First-year survey courses may have hundreds of students, but labs, seminars, honors sections, and advanced courses tend to be much more interactive.

Academically, UD is well regarded and generally solid to strong rather than cutthroat. It is known for strong programs in engineering, business, nursing, education, marine science, and the physical sciences, and it also has a respected honors college for students seeking smaller classes and a more rigorous environment. The workload can be challenging, particularly in STEM and pre-health tracks, but most students describe the culture as collaborative more than intensely competitive.

Teaching quality is usually considered good, though like at most large research universities, the experience can vary by department and by professor. Some introductory courses are taught in large formats or supported by TAs, while many upper-level courses are led more directly by faculty and offer better discussion and access.