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Transylvania University

Transylvania University

Lexington, KY · City · 1,005 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$21,913
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
71%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$54,705
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
87%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Founded in 1780 as the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains, Transylvania University is a historic private liberal arts institution located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky. The university is widely celebrated for its robust pre-professional preparation—consistently posting medical and law school acceptance rates far above the national average—alongside highly regarded programs in business, education, and the natural sciences. Transy offers a tight-knit, collaborative campus culture where students enjoy high levels of faculty mentorship, active Greek life and NCAA Division III athletics, and easy access to urban internships. A distinctive hallmark of the student experience is the immersive four-week "May term," which provides concentrated opportunities for intensive research, creative projects, and travel courses.

Wikipedia:Transylvania University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, United States. It was founded in 1780 and is Kentucky's oldest university. It offers 46 major programs, as well as dual-degree engineering programs, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Its medical program has graduated 8,000 physicians since 1859.

Location
Lexington, KY, 40508-1797 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
CVG · Cincinnati
69 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$46,870
Housing & food (on campus)$14,697
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$69,974
Average net price$21,913
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$46,870
Housing & food (on campus)$14,697
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$69,974
Average net price$21,913
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.transy.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Transylvania University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$50,640
Books & supplies$1,000
Personal expenses$1,600
Transportation$1,000
Total published by the school$69,974
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$14,551
$30–48k
$14,555
$48–75k
$19,272
$75–110k
$22,155
$110k+
$29,312
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
71%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
56%
Back for yr 2
87%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
71% graduated · 23% transferred · 6% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$40,447
10 yrs after entry$54,705
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$9.1k–$27.6k
90th percentile$37,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate — arts & sciences: 69% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
87%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1287
R 580–690 · M 540–690
ACT midpoint
27
Comp 24–30 · E 23–31 · M 22–27
SAT middle 50%: 1120–1380
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Transylvania University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
26%
First-gen
16%
Family income
$84,264
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
1%
Race & ethnicity
White
80%
Hispanic
5%
Black
5%
Asian
2%
Two or more
6%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division III without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$40,447
After 10 yrs
$54,705
Biology, General29
Psychology, General28
Business/Commerce, General26
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness15
Political Science and Government12
Accounting and Related Services12
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics10
English Language and Literature, General6
Neurobiology and Neurosciences6
International Relations and National Security Studies6
Communication and Media Studies5
Chemistry5
History5
Computer and Information Sciences, General4
Physics4
Anthropology4
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$274M
Full-time faculty
65%
Faculty salary
$10,145/mo
Teaching spend
$12,370
per student
Federal loans
47%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Transylvania University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
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