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Transylvania University

Name: Campus Tour
Start: 2026-04-14T14:00:00
Location: Transylvania University

Lexington, Kentucky 40508-1797

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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

Conference

Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Division

Division III

Campus Visits

4 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Apr 13 · Campus Tour

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85%Acceptance

1285SAT Avg

1,014Students

10:1Student:Faculty

70%Grad Rate

$54,705Earnings 10yr

$23,560Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Transylvania University Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate85.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1285

Reading & WritingMid: 600

570670

MathMid: 590

530620

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 27

2430

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

85.0%

Trend

SAT Avg

1285

Yield Rate

35.0%

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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

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$23,560

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

5000.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,000

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

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Programs (35)

Student Life

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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

8 Years$48,944

10 Years$54,705

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$48,600

Men

$52,600

Rankings

U.S. News

#108

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Forbes

#307

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Wall Street Journal

#29

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Washington Monthly

#86

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More About This School

Rankings

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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.

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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)

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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)

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Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park

Visitor parking lot

Free parking with visitor pass

9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions

Admissions Office

10:00 AMInformation session

Welcome Center

45 minutes

11:00 AMCampus tour

Starts at Welcome Center

75 minutes, student-led

12:30 PMLunch

Main Dining Hall

Visitor meal passes available

1:30 PMDepartment visit

Academic buildings

Schedule with department directly

2:30 PMExplore campus independently

Library, student center, residence halls

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Budget

Airport Transit

Cincinnati (CVG)69 miles

Rental car

104 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

138 min$83-138

Indianapolis (IND)150 miles

Rental car

225 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

300 min$180-300

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Schools Like This

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Deadline Calendar

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Transylvania University Application Checklist

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

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Official High School Transcript

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School Report + Counselor Recommendation

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Two Teacher Recommendations

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SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

Check current test policy

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Transylvania University Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

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CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

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Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

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Interview (recommended)Optional

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Decision Notifications

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SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award