Transylvania University
Lexington, Kentucky · Private Nonprofit · 86.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 51/100 · Below Average Value
Transylvania University is a small private liberal arts college of 1,005 students in Lexington, Kentucky. The ROI score of 51 -- Below Average Value -- reflects a genuine mismatch between cost and outcomes. Net price of $21,913 per year looks reasonable, but median debt of $27,000 against six-year earnings of $34,400 produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.785 and an 11.6-year payback period. The 71% completion rate is decent for a small school. Transylvania has a 167-year history and strong regional name recognition in Kentucky, but the earnings data tells a story of graduates entering labor markets that do not pay a premium for the credential alone. Accounting is the strongest-performing program in earnings terms; Business Administration and Psychology show troubling debt-to-earnings ratios in the D-range.
Transylvania University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $46,870/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $46,870/yr |
| Average net price | $21,913/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $87,652 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,705 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 71.5% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,005 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Transylvania University is $46,870/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $21,913/year, or roughly $87,652 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $14,551/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $29,312/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $54,705 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.79 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,551 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,555 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,272 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,155 |
| $110,001+ | $29,312 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $14,551 per year net -- the lowest bracket at Transylvania. For a low-income household, this is still a substantial commitment: over $58,000 for four years against a median 10-year earnings figure of $54,705. Students in this bracket need to be in a program with above-average outcomes (Accounting) and should maximize federal grant aid and compare against in-state public options in Kentucky.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30-48k bracket pays nearly the same at $14,555 -- essentially flat with the lowest income tier, a positive sign. The $48-75k bracket steps up to $19,272, and $75-110k reaches $22,155. The slope from low to upper-middle is moderate. Families earning $48-75k spend roughly $77,000 over four years at net price -- feasible but only if the student pursues a program with meaningful earnings outcomes.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110k pay $29,312 per year -- about $117,000 over four years. With the school-wide debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.785 and median 10-year earnings of $54,705, high-income families paying near-sticker should be cautious. Transylvania's premium above public alternatives in Kentucky is not supported by earnings data that exceeds those schools.
Earnings by Major
Top 4 most popular majors at Transylvania University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $50,790 | C+ |
| Business Administration and Management | $64,290 | D |
| Accounting | $70,822 | C+ |
| Romance Languages | $42,439 | C |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Accounting
Accounting is the strongest ROI program at Transylvania by earnings, producing 12 graduates per year. Early-career median pay of $58,803 growing to $70,822 by year four reflects standard public accounting and industry accounting demand in the Lexington-Louisville-Cincinnati triangle. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.459 (C+ grade) with $27,000 in debt is not ideal, but it is far better than the school-wide 0.785 figure. CPA exam passage is the primary value driver -- Transylvania's small size allows for personalized exam preparation support. Graduates entering public accounting firms in Kentucky face a different pay structure than coastal markets, which explains why these figures trail larger schools.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration graduates 26 students annually. Early-career pay of $31,614 rising to $64,290 by year four shows a significant earnings arc, but the year-one figure is low and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.824 (D grade) signals serious near-term financial stress. Graduates carry $26,044 in median debt on $31,614 in first-year earnings. This is a program where the financial outcome is largely driven by what employers graduates connect with -- and in central Kentucky, the starting salary market for general business graduates is not strong.
Psychology
Psychology produces 28 graduates annually. Four-year median earnings of $50,790 with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.532 (C+ grade) and $27,000 in median debt. This program functions primarily as a pre-professional track -- most graduates who achieve good outcomes do so by continuing to graduate programs in clinical, counseling, or educational psychology. At the bachelor's degree level, a psychology degree from a small liberal arts college in Lexington does not command a wage premium. Students need a clear post-graduation plan before choosing this path.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 75.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 80.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 81.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 85.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 540-690 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 580-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-30 |
| Enrollment | 1,005 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 26.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,145 |
An 87% acceptance rate makes Transylvania functionally non-selective for college-ready applicants. The ACT middle 50% of 24-30 covers a wide range. Admission is accessible; the harder question is whether the financial package offered will limit borrowing to sustainable levels.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among peers, Asbury University (ROI 29) scores substantially lower than Transylvania (51), with slower payback and worse earnings. Alice Lloyd College and Central College are comparable small private schools. Transylvania's 71% completion rate exceeds Asbury's 65%, but both schools share the characteristic of serving students who face challenging post-graduation labor markets. The 11.6-year payback at Transylvania is well above the national median and signals that the cost-to-earnings ratio needs careful thought from every prospective student.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transylvania University (this school) | 51 | $21,913 | $54,705 |
| Bay Path University | 52 | $14,271 | $55,383 |
| Heritage University | 51 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
| Central College | 49 | $23,377 | $54,317 |
| Asbury University | 29 | $21,401 | $42,368 |
| Alice Lloyd College | 18 | $18,600 | $40,573 |
Who Thrives Here
Transylvania admits 87% of applicants, with ACT 24-30 and SAT math 540-690, reading 580-690. The Pell rate of 26% indicates moderate economic diversity. Students who thrive here tend to value small-class mentorship, close relationships with faculty, and a tight-knit campus community in Lexington. The clearest financial pathway involves Accounting or pre-professional tracks. Students focused on liberal arts for its own sake should weigh the 11.6-year payback period against their own risk tolerance.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Transylvania University is mixed. At $21,913 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $54,705 ten years after entry - a payback period of 11.6 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include a 71.5% graduation rate. However, the data also shows high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $27,000 against $54,705 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.