Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public, co-educational and the nation's first historically black university, founded in 1837. The university is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cheyney University has a 275-acre (1.11 km2) campus that is located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, a community within Thornbury Township, Chester County, and Thornbury Township,

 

Delaware County (school straddles both counties), in the state of Pennsylvania. Cheyney University is a member-school of Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The university offers bachelor'sand master's degrees.

 

In November 2015, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education placed Cheyney University on probation. Administrators are required to address a variety of issues including finances, leadership, and assessment of learning.

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Built on land donated by the prominent Cheyney family, the university was founded as the African Institute in February 1837 and renamed the Institute of Colored Youth (ICY) in April 1837, Cheyney University is the oldest African-American institution of higher learning.