Transylvania University

Lexington, KY · Private · Large city

Private institution in Lexington, KY · 1,014 undergraduates · 85% acceptance rate · $54,705 median earnings 10 years after entry.

Top 20%Student-faculty ratio
Top 21%Graduation rate (4-year)
Top 22%Average SAT
Top 23%Median ACT

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price: $23,5601,380th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees: $44,9801,757th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $44,9801,747th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance: $58,8631,684th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt: $27,0001,604th lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry: $54,705813th highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry: $40,4471,198th highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year): 69.8%434th highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention: 83.5%512th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate: 85.0%1,075th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT: 1285222nd highest of 1,024 reporting
Median ACT: 27222nd highest of 954 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates: 1,0141,359th largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio: 10.0:1436th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share: 24.1%1,518th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 180 mi (BNA)

On 1 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Most Selective Colleges in Kentucky#12

Applying

EAOct 31
EA IIDec 1
RDJul 29

Common App member: Yes
Application fee: Free
Personal essay: Optional / not required
Writing supplement: No

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 34 reported programs.

Field	Level	1 yr	2 yr
Accounting and Related ServicesBusiness	bachelors	$50,856	$48,667
Business/Commerce, GeneralBusiness	bachelors	$41,565	$46,087
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsEducation	bachelors	$31,038	$32,925
Psychology, GeneralPsychology	bachelors	$24,730	$27,439
Romance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsForeign Languages	bachelors	$13,702	—
AnthropologySocial Sciences	bachelors	—	—
Biology, GeneralBiological Sciences	bachelors	—	$28,960
ChemistryPhysical Sciences	bachelors	—	—
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsForeign Languages	bachelors	—	—
Communication and Media StudiesCommunications	bachelors	—	—
Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer Science	bachelors	—	—
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftVisual & Performing Arts	bachelors	—	—

Campus facts

Religious affiliation: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)source
Founded in 1780source
Athletic nickname: "Pioneers"source
Competes in NCAA Division IIIsource
School colors: Crimsonsource
Mascot: Raf, Rafinesque's big-eared batsource
Motto: "In Lumine Illo Tradimus Lumen (Latin)"source
Formerly known as "Transylvania Seminary"source
Formerly known as "(1780–1799)"source
Formerly known as "Bacon College"source
Formerly known as "(1837–1851)"source
Formerly known as "Kentucky University"source
Formerly known as "(1858–1865)"source
Athletic conference: HCACsource
Notable alum: Jefferson Davissource
Notable alum: Richard Mentor Johnsonsource
Notable alum: John C. Breckinridgesource
Notable alum: Ned Beattysource
Notable alum: Albert Sidney Johnstonsource

Athletics — 13 sports

NCAA Division III without football · NCAA Division III

Athletic scholarships not allowed · Athletic aid $0 (M $0 · W $0)

Basketball: 2023

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport. Athletic scholarships are not allowed by association rule; non-athletic merit or need-based aid may still be available.