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Transylvania University

Lexington, Kentucky 40508-1797

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrban

Known for business — close-knit campus

Transylvania University is a private institution in Lexington with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1285, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

70% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $54,705 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,560.

Established
1780
Motto
In Lumine Illo Tradimus Lumen
Mascot
Raf, Rafinesque's big-eared bat
Type
Private liberal arts college
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

85%Acceptance
1285SAT Avg
1,014Students
10:1Student:Faculty
70%Grad Rate
$54,705Earnings 10yr
$23,560Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate85.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1285

Reading & WritingMid: 600
570670
MathMid: 590
530620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 27
2430

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$44,980
Room & Board$14,195
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$58,863
Average Net Price$23,560
Median Debt at Graduation$27,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,035
$30–48K$17,574
$48–75K$21,414
$75–110K$23,700
$110K+$29,681

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

50.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

8

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (35)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

83%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,014
Gender Split
56% / 44%
Women / Men
First Generation
16%
Pell Grant Recipients
24%

Race & Ethnicity

White 79%
Black 5%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 3%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.8%
Freshman Retention83.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$40,447
10 Years$54,705

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#108
vs 2024
Forbes
#307
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#86
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Henry Clay served off and on as professor of law and as trustee from 1807 to his death in 1852.
  • The original seal of Transylvania University Transylvania—Latin for "across the woods"—was the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains and was named for the short-lived Transylvania Colony.
  • The Virginia General Assembly chartered Transylvania Seminary in 1780, before Kentucky became a state.
  • Initially situated in a log cabin in Boyle County, the school moved to Lexington in 1789.
  • The first site in Lexington was a single building in what is now Gratz Park.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

101Above Average

Estimated from KY state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Indianapolispop. 880K
149 mi(258 min)
Columbuspop. 900K
154 mi(267 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
182 mi(315 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CVG Cincinnati69 mi
IND Indianapolis150 mi
CMH Columbus160 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA768 mi · ~22h 11m drive
New York, NY589 mi · ~17h 1m drive
Hartford, CT676 mi · ~19h 32m drive
Providence, RI739 mi · ~21h 21m drive
Albany, NY648 mi · ~18h 43m drive
Syracuse, NY557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
Rochester, NY504 mi · ~14h 34m drive
Buffalo, NY445 mi · ~12h 51m drive
Philadelphia, PA517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Pittsburgh, PA292 mi · ~8h 26m drive
Harrisburg, PA435 mi · ~12h 34m drive
Newark, NJ581 mi · ~16h 47m drive
Washington, DC407 mi · ~11h 45m drive
Baltimore, MD433 mi · ~12h 31m drive
Atlanta, GA297 mi · ~8h 35m drive
Charlotte, NC281 mi · ~8h 7m drive
Raleigh, NC359 mi · ~10h 22m drive
Miami, FL886 mi · ~25h 36m drive
Orlando, FL681 mi · ~19h 40m drive
Tampa, FL708 mi · ~20h 27m drive
Nashville, TN182 mi · ~5h 15m drive
New Orleans, LA644 mi · ~18h 36m drive
Richmond, VA387 mi · ~11h 11m drive
Chicago, IL312 mi · ~9h 1m drive
Detroit, MI305 mi · ~8h 49m drive
Minneapolis, MN659 mi · ~19h 2m drive
St. Louis, MO312 mi · ~9h 1m drive
Kansas City, MO549 mi · ~15h 52m drive
Indianapolis, IN149 mi · ~4h 18m drive
Columbus, OH154 mi · ~4h 27m drive
Cleveland, OH281 mi · ~8h 7m drive
Milwaukee, WI388 mi · ~11h 13m drive
Dallas, TX782 mi · ~22h 35m drive
Houston, TX846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Austin, TX928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
San Antonio, TX999 mi · ~28h 52m drive
Los Angeles, CA1895 mi · ~54h 45m drive
San Francisco, CA2053 mi · ~59h 19m drive
San Diego, CA1867 mi · ~53h 56m drive
Seattle, WA2005 mi · ~57h 55m drive
Portland, OR2013 mi · ~58h 9m drive
Denver, CO1106 mi · ~31h 57m drive
Phoenix, AZ1573 mi · ~45h 27m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1469 mi · ~42h 26m drive
Honolulu, HI4441 mi · ~128h 18m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Transylvania University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications