Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Transylvania University #1094 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,923, placing Transylvania University in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Transylvania University #919 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Transylvania University #1094 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Lexington, Kentucky, Transylvania University enrolls roughly 1,005 undergraduates. Retention is 87.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 71.5%, reflecting solid student persistence through degree completion. Transylvania University performs strongest on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Transylvania University #919 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,923, placing Transylvania University in the upper range for earnings outcomes among comparable private institutions. The institution's business-focused program portfolio — with Business as the dominant concentration — aligns with strong labor-market demand and contributes to solid long-term financial outcomes for graduates. Access and affordability shape the remaining pillars of the composite. Transylvania University sits in the 8.9 percentile for access and the 21.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. 26.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 16.4% are first-generation college students, reflecting a moderately mixed enrollment. Mobility outcomes sit in the 76.2 percentile, indicating that graduates move into stable career pathways at rates typical of peer institutions. For families evaluating Transylvania University, the composite reflects a private institution where return on investment is the clear strength, supported by a business-centered curriculum and solid earnings trajectories.
Transylvania University's published cost of attendance is $60,993, with net price varying significantly by income level. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $14,551, middle-income families pay around $19,272, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,312. Azimuth ranks Transylvania University #1121 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 21.3 percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects $39,080 in average financial aid savings — net price and sticker price can differ substantially.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $53,813; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,923, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard 10-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Transylvania University is a strong fit for students seeking a private liberal arts college experience in KY, particularly those interested in Business and related fields. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,923, placing Transylvania University in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Transylvania University #919 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls a mix of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 26.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 16.4% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $29,312, and need-based aid packages can meaningfully reduce the net price for qualifying families. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 86.6% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and liberal arts fields over STEM-heavy concentrations. Students whose interests align with those areas will find strong outcomes at this private university.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Transylvania University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Transylvania University's published cost of attendance is $60,993, with net price varying significantly by income level. Low-income families see a net price of approximately $14,551, middle-income families pay around $19,272, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,312. Azimuth ranks Transylvania University #1121 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 21.3 percentile for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between sticker price and net price reflects $39,080 in average financial aid savings — [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/).
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $53,813; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,923, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard 10-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Transylvania University earn median 4-year earnings of $50,923, placing Transylvania University in the 11.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Transylvania University #919 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
These outcomes reflect a career trajectory that aligns with regional labor-market demand and the institution's focus on applied, professional fields. Transylvania University's program portfolio centers on Business, which represents 24% of degrees and anchors the earnings profile.
Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 42 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $64,290 — 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. Biology, General and Psychology, General round out the top three by enrollment, each with 28 and 18 graduates respectively, with Psychology, General graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $50,790 — 1.0× the national benchmark.
This concentrated program mix, combined with the institution's size and regional positioning in KY, produces consistent outcomes for students entering stable, in-demand career pathways.
Accounting and Related Services
11 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
42 graduates
Psychology, General
18 graduates
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
5 graduates
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
5 graduates
Transylvania University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's liberal arts foundation with applied career focus. Business/Commerce, General is the largest program with 42 graduates, followed by Biology, General, Psychology, General, Kinesiology, and Political Science.
Across 16 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, with particular strength concentrated in business and accounting fields. The earnings pattern reflects a career-oriented institution where applied business and accounting programs deliver strong four-year outcomes.
Accounting leads with median earnings of $70,822 four years after enrollment across 11 graduates. Business/Commerce, General follows with median earnings of $64,290 among 42 graduates, and Psychology, General delivers median earnings of $50,790 across 18 graduates.
These programs represent high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the workforce directly in accounting, finance, and business management roles with immediate earning potential. Transylvania University's program portfolio emphasizes professional preparation aligned with regional employer demand in Kentucky and the broader Southeast.
The concentration in Business reflects a deliberate institutional positioning as a career-focused liberal arts college where business acumen pairs with liberal arts breadth. For context on how these fields align with national labor-market demand, see the [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/).
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emmanuel College Similar quality tier (#29453 ranked) | MA | 76% | $68,245 | #29453 | Compare |
Chaminade University Of Honolulu Similar quality tier (#29459 ranked) | HI | 91% | $52,343 | #29459 | Compare |
Oklahoma Wesleyan University Similar quality tier (#29450 ranked) | OK | 66% | $59,841 | #29450 | Compare |
Connecticut College Similar quality tier (#29448 ranked) | CT | 37% | $75,001 | #29448 | Compare |
Southern Wesleyan University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#29462 ranked) | SC | 100% | $47,756 | #29462 | Compare |
