Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. earnings-to-debt ratio is tight. 66% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania with approximately 617 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $14,265 per year. The graduation rate is 41%, and the typical graduate earns $31,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (CU) is a public historically black university in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1837 as the Institute for Colored Youth, it is the oldest of all historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. It is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The university offers bachelor's degrees and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: as the oldest HBCU in the country, Cheyney carries genuine historic significance and keeps costs low at around $9,800/year after aid, but a 16% graduation rate is a serious red flag that demands attention. Only about two-thirds of freshmen return for sophomore year, and median earnings of $31,600 a decade out suggest many students aren't reaching their full potential — possibly because they're not finishing. Worth considering only if you have a strong support plan in place and a specific reason beyond cost, such as a deep connection to its HBCU legacy.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 3% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Worth scrutinizing. Median earnings relative to debt are tight.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (617 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
1837 University Circle
Cheyney, PA 19319-0200
Official Links
Other Schools in Pennsylvania
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University Park, PA · Public
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA · Public
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA · Public
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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