Lincoln University

Lincoln University which Chester County Pennsylvania hosts operates as a public state-related university that holds the distinction of being the United States' first degree-awarding Historically Black College and University. The educational institution delivers its complete liberal arts program within a rural campus environment which supports both academic growth and personal development for all its residents. The university functions as a crucial cultural center which creates an educational space that combines academic success with strong community ties and cultural traditions, drawing researchers from both national and international locations.

The institution was founded in 1854 by John Miller Dickey, a Presbyterian minister, and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson, originally under the name Ashmun Institute. The organization opened its doors to African descent young men through arts and sciences higher education programs because it wanted to create educational opportunities during an era when most people faced restrictions. The school received its current name of Lincoln University in 1866 to honor President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. The university first began to accept female students in 1952, and it became a state-related institution through its formal partnership with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1972.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, Lincoln University is positioned as the #407 top university in the world, which makes it the #7 top university in New Zealand. The university's global rank decreased by 36 points from last year.