706 students currently enrolled for fall semester; figure also marks 50% increase over 2018
(CHEYNEY, PA – Oct. 4, 2022) – Cheyney University of Pennsylvania today reported its overall student enrollment is up 10 percent over last year. There are 706 total students currently enrolled compared to 642 one year ago.
Cheyney has realized annual enrollment increases since 2018. The current enrollment figure is up 50 percent compared to where it was four years ago. A breakdown of the overall student enrollment figures include:
| Fall Semester | Total Student Enrollment |
| 2018 | 469 |
| 2019 | 618 |
| 2020 | 627 |
| 2021 | 642 |
| 2022 | 706 |
“The upward trend in our enrollment year after year is a result of our enhanced retention efforts as well as our renewed focus on attracting transfer students by strengthening our partnerships with community colleges and through innovative programs such as the paraprofessional degree completion program,” said President Aaron A. Walton. “Additionally, we continue to grow our educational and internship offerings through our on-campus partners and with some of the leading institutions and organizations in the region.”
The school’s Science Center is home to several companies providing cutting-edge research and technology. They are providing students with paid, hands-on internship opportunities as more Cheyney students are seeking careers in STEM-related fields.
“We are providing students—traditional and non-traditional, alike—with every educational opportunity and tool they need to build their successful future,” said Walton. “This includes starting this semester by equipping every student with a state-of-the-art laptop to help their learning journey.”
Cheyney’s Fall 2022 enrollment figure reflects the current freshmen retention rate of 67 percent, which is up from 60 percent over the previous year. The university’s retention rate has been steadily climbing after the last two years that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cheyney’s retention rate in 2019 was 70 percent, which marked the university’s highest rate of retention for a freshman class in more than 20 years.
The number of new transfers also increased over last year from 19 to 57. Students are enrolling in Cheyney as part of its agreement with the School District of Philadelphia’s paraprofessional program and renewed agreements with Community College of Philadelphia.
“Cheyney’s success is determined by two filters for decision making: what is in the best interest of the student and what helps position the university for the future.
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About Cheyney – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu.