Three Philadelphia-Area HBCUs Ranked Nationally
Delaware State, Lincoln, and Cheyney Universities earned spots in the latest 2027 U.S. News & World Report HBCU list.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Higher Education
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Three HBCUs in the Philadelphia region have been recognized in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report national rankings. The publication evaluated a total of 76 historically Black colleges and universities for this year's assessment.
Why it matters
These rankings provide students and families with comparative data on the academic standing of HBCUs. Such evaluations highlight the national presence of institutions within the Philadelphia-area higher education landscape.
Delaware State University secured the No. 16 spot, while Lincoln University of Pennsylvania tied for No. 17. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania also earned a ranking, tying for No. 45 among the 76 evaluated institutions.
The players
Delaware State University
This is a public historically Black research university located in Dover, Delaware.
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
This is a public historically Black university based in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
This is the oldest historically Black college in the United States, located near Philadelphia.
U.S. News & World Report
This is a media company that publishes news, consumer advice, and the annual rankings of colleges and universities.
The details
The rankings highlight the academic performance of these regional schools within the broader scope of HBCUs nationwide. Each university is evaluated by the publication to determine its position relative to other similar institutions in the United States.
Timeline
The U.S. News & World Report rankings were published for the 2027 list.
Culture Shift
The 2027 U.S. News & World Report HBCU rankings establish a baseline for academic prestige that schools look to improve upon in subsequent years. This shift reflects a broader trend of increased national visibility for HBCUs in competitive higher education assessment models.
Students and prospective applicants in the Philadelphia area can use these rankings to gauge institutional standing when making enrollment decisions. The recognition may also influence local scholarship opportunities and regional academic partnerships.
The takeaway
These rankings offer a snapshot of institutional success that can assist families in their college search process. Readers should use these figures as one part of a comprehensive evaluation when choosing an educational path.
Further reading
Learn more about academic trends and institutional performance in our Higher Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Tribune.
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