Transylvania University
#2 Best Biology Colleges in Kentucky- Graduation Rate
- 71% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,705 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $21,913 D+
- 28% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Biology Colleges in Kentucky.
Every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,567,464.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Transylvania University Matters
Transylvania University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, KY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,005
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 61
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, Psychology
Why students choose Transylvania University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 87% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1120–1380. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $21,913 a year after grants and scholarships — 28% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,705 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 45% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.66 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 1,000 students, Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, is a great fit for those seeking a close-knit community and individualized attention. The acceptance rate is 87%, which means we have a welcoming environment for a range of students. Here, learners can dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Visual & Performing Arts, allowing them to explore their interests while preparing for their future careers.
Looking beyond graduation, students from Transylvania earn a median salary of $54,705 ten years after completing their degree. This figure is a solid indicator of the value of a degree from this institution. While the Pell Grant rate stands at 26%, indicating that some students rely on financial aid, the affordability of the education can help set graduates on a path to success. The school's graduation rate is 71%, suggesting that a majority of students are completing their degrees and moving forward in their careers.
When it comes to the practicalities of financing education, the net price after aid is about $21,913, with a median debt load of $27,000 upon graduation. This debt level is manageable for many graduates, especially considering their earning potential. Transylvania tends to attract students who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to engage in hands-on learning experiences, making it a nurturing place for personal and academic growth.
Rankings
- #2 Best Biology Colleges in Kentucky
- #6 Best Communications Colleges in Kentucky
- #7 Best Business Colleges in Kentucky
- #9 Best Bachelor's Programs in Kentucky
- #9 Best Master's Programs in Kentucky
- #11 Best Colleges in Kentucky
- #12 Best Education Colleges in Kentucky
- #15 Best Psychology Colleges in Kentucky
Can I Get In?
How selective Transylvania University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Transylvania University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Transylvania University, located in Lexington, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,287. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1287
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1120–1380
- ACT Range
- 24–30
- Full-Time Faculty
- 65%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,145
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.34
- First-Gen Students
- 16%
- Applicants
- 1,781
- Admitted
- 1,617
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Transylvania University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Transylvania University is $46,870, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,913. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,551 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $46,870
- Out-of-State
- $46,870
- Avg Net Price
- $21,913
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 47%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,551
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,555
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,272
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,312
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Transylvania University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Transylvania University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Transylvania University earn a median of $54,705, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,447
- 8 Years
- $48,944
- 10 Years
- $54,705
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 68%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (183)
- 70%
- 100% (183)
- 70%
- 100% (183)
- 70%
- 100% (183)
- 70%
How Transylvania Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Transylvania University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Transylvania University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $21,913/year ($87,652 total). Graduates earn $54,705 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,655,116 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,567,464 (18.9× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 71% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $87,652
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,655,116
- Net Return
- $1,567,464
- ROI Multiple
- 18.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $21,913
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 71%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Transylvania University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Transylvania University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.55%, well above the typical college. About 4.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.55%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 31.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $133,555
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $42,094
- Investment Income
- $-11,228,605
Top Programs
The fields Transylvania University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 22% $57,826 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 15% $34,410 early-career
- Social Sciences 10%
- Psychology 8% $32,603 early-career
- Communications 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Education 5% $39,121 early-career
- Physical Sciences 4%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Transylvania University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Transylvania University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Transylvania University, located in Lexington, Kentucky, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,287. The graduation rate is roughly 71%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Transylvania University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Transylvania University is $46,870, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $21,913. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,551 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Transylvania University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Transylvania University earn a median of $54,705, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Transylvania University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Transylvania University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.55%, well above the typical college. About 4.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 31.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $98,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Transylvania University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Transylvania University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 14% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Transylvania University.
- Central CollegePella, IA · Close peer68% grad $54,317 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Westminster CollegeNew Wilmington, PA · Close peer65% grad $53,861 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Sioux FallsSioux Falls, SD · Close peer62% grad $54,521 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA · Close peer64% grad $59,274 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Covenant CollegeLookout Mountain, GA · Close peer72% grad $50,412 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rockford UniversityRockford, IL · Close peer43% grad $54,794 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Transylvania University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Transylvania University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 14% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note