Students at Transylvania University benefit from exceptional mobility outcomes that place the institution among the top performers nationally for helping students advance economically.
The combination of solid earnings potential and strong completion rates creates reliable pathways to professional success in an intimate academic setting.
Transylvania University is a small private liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, that combines the intimacy of a close-knit academic community with solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. With fewer than 1,000 students, Transylvania offers the kind of personalized education where students work directly with faculty and build lasting professional networks. The university serves a moderately selective student body, with about 24% of students receiving Pell Grants and 16% being first-generation college students.
Graduates earn a median of $54,705 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution around the middle of the national distribution for earnings outcomes. What distinguishes Transylvania is its ability to help students transition successfully into professional careers, with particularly strong outcomes in business and accounting fields. The university's small size means every student receives individual attention, and completion rates are solid across income levels, with 70% of all students graduating within six years.
As a private liberal arts institution, Transylvania offers the benefits of small classes, close faculty mentorship, and a tight-knit alumni network. For families who can manage the higher net prices typical of private colleges, it provides a pathway to stable career outcomes in a supportive academic environment that emphasizes personal growth alongside professional preparation.
Transylvania University's program portfolio reflects the breadth and depth typical of a quality liberal arts institution, with particular strength in business and professional preparation. The accounting program stands out as both a popular choice and a strong economic performer, graduating 23 students who earn around $48,667 early in their careers. This program exemplifies Transylvania's approach of combining liberal arts breadth with practical professional skills that translate directly into employment opportunities.
The university's small size means that every program benefits from close faculty-student relationships and personalized attention that larger institutions cannot match. While the overall program mix emphasizes traditional liberal arts disciplines, the success of business-oriented majors like accounting demonstrates how Transylvania adapts classical liberal arts education to meet contemporary career demands. Students across all fields benefit from the university's emphasis on critical thinking, communication skills, and ethical reasoning that employers value.
Transylvania's intimate scale allows for innovative interdisciplinary approaches and ensures that students in every major receive mentorship that extends well beyond graduation. The strong alumni network, built through decades of small graduating classes, provides ongoing career support and professional connections that continue to benefit graduates throughout their careers, regardless of their chosen field of study.
Transylvania University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that reflect the value of a liberal arts education combined with practical career preparation. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $54,705, positioning the university around the middle of the national distribution for post-graduation earnings. While not among the highest-earning institutions nationally, Transylvania delivers consistent outcomes that support stable middle-class careers across various fields.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its business and accounting programs. Accounting graduates, representing one of the largest and most successful programs, earn around $48,667 early in their careers and benefit from strong employer demand in Kentucky's business sector. With 23 graduates in accounting alone, this program serves as a key economic engine for the institution, combining solid enrollment with reliable post-graduation employment. The program's success reflects Transylvania's focus on practical professional preparation within a liberal arts framework.
Transylvania's small size and personalized approach help students build the professional networks and soft skills that drive long-term career success. While earnings may start modestly compared to large research universities, graduates benefit from the close faculty relationships and alumni connections that are hallmarks of a tight-knit liberal arts community, supporting steady career advancement over time.
Affordability at Transylvania University reflects the typical cost structure of a private liberal arts college, with net prices that require careful family planning but remain within reach for many middle-class families. Low-income students pay about $17,035 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $21,414 per year, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,681. These prices are competitive within the private college sector, though notably higher than public university alternatives.
The university's financial aid approach helps make the education accessible to students from various economic backgrounds. With 24% of students receiving Pell Grants, Transylvania demonstrates a commitment to serving students who need significant financial support. The aid structure appears designed to bring net prices down to manageable levels for families who value the small-college experience and are willing to invest in the personalized education that Transylvania provides.
Debt levels reflect the higher cost structure but remain within reasonable bounds for graduates entering professional careers. Most students who borrow graduate with federal loan debt that aligns with their expected earning capacity, and the university's strong completion rates help ensure that students who take on debt are likely to finish their degrees and enter the workforce prepared for stable employment.
Transylvania University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
