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PublicRuralHBCU

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Cheyney, Pennsylvania 19319-0200

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedTight-knitRuralGreek lifeHBCU

Known for business — close-knit campus

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public institution in Cheyney with particular strength in business and biology.

A small campus of 721 undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

16% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $37,837 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $9,837.

Established
1837
Motto
Today's Leaders, Tomorrow's Leaders
Type
Public historically black university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

Acceptance
SAT Avg
721Students
15:1Student:Faculty
16%Grad Rate
$37,837Earnings 10yr
$9,837Net Price

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,904
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,870
Room & Board$11,016
Books & Supplies$100
Total Cost of Attendance$24,881
Average Net Price$9,837
Median Debt at Graduation$21,785
Monthly Payment (10yr)$231

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,536
$30–48K$8,962
$48–75K$7,885
$75–110K$18,471

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

67.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

4

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (31)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

68%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
721
Gender Split
66% / 34%
Women / Men
First Generation
45%
Pell Grant Recipients
41%

Race & Ethnicity

White 1%
Black 86%
Hispanic 3%
Asian 1%
Two+ 7%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate16.2%
Freshman Retention68.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$28,568
10 Years$37,837

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Basketball programBasketballCoach was

History & Fun Facts

  • History Cheyney University's antecedent was established within the City of Philadelphia as the African Institute in February 1837 and renamed the Institute for Colored Youth (ICY) in April 1837.
  • News of a race riot against free African-Americans in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1829 inspired Humphreys to bequeath money in his will for higher education for free blacks.
  • " Library Founded as the African Institute, the school was soon renamed the Institute for Colored Youth.
  • The name "Cheyney" became associated with the school in 1913.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from PA state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Philadelphiapop. 1.6M
19 mi(33 min)
New Yorkpop. 8.3M
97 mi(168 min)
Pittsburghpop. 300K
238 mi(413 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

PHL Philadelphia PHL16 mi
TTN Trenton-Mercer45 mi
ABE Lehigh Valley50 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA287 mi · ~8h 17m drive
New York, NY97 mi · ~2h 48m drive
Hartford, CT196 mi · ~5h 40m drive
Providence, RI252 mi · ~7h 17m drive
Albany, NY209 mi · ~6h 2m drive
Syracuse, NY218 mi · ~6h 18m drive
Rochester, NY247 mi · ~7h 8m drive
Buffalo, NY268 mi · ~7h 45m drive
Philadelphia, PA19 mi · ~33 min drive
Pittsburgh, PA238 mi · ~6h 53m drive
Harrisburg, PA76 mi · ~2h 12m drive
Newark, NJ90 mi · ~2h 36m drive
Trenton, NJ46 mi · ~1h 20m drive
Southern (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Application Checklist

Decision Notifications