At $23,560/yr net price, Transylvania University graduates earn $54,705/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,705/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,560 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $94,240 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,705/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,705/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,035/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $17,574/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,414/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,700/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,681/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $48,667 | $27,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $26,044 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $28,960 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $27,439 | $27,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $18,771 |
The Risk Factor
69.8% of students at Transylvania University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 30% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Transylvania University gives you a mixed financial return. You leave with median debt of $27,000 and earn about $54,705 ten years out, so the debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable if you land near that median. But the median hides wide gaps between programs, and some of the biggest majors here pay the least.
Accounting and business are your safest bets. Accounting grads clear roughly $48,700 early on, and business sits close behind at $46,100. In Lexington's economy, with financial services and corporate offices nearby, those degrees connect to real local hiring. If you come here for either, the math works.
The science and psychology paths are where the numbers turn against you. Biology grads start around $28,960 and psychology grads around $27,439, both carrying the same $27,000 debt load as accounting majors who out-earn them by nearly $20,000. At the bachelor's level, that debt buys you far less. Teacher education lands in the middle near $32,925. If you want biology or psychology as a stepping stone to graduate school, know that the undergraduate degree alone leaves you underwater on debt for years.
The clearest risk here is paying accounting-level debt for psychology-level pay. The debt figure barely moves across majors, so your major choice, not your borrowing, decides whether this pays off.
Cost scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $17,000 to $17,600 a year. Above $110,000, you pay $29,681, close to full sticker. The middle tiers climb fast between $48k and $110k.
This school fits you if you're targeting accounting or business and your family income keeps net price near the lower tiers. If you're set on biology or psychology and plan to stop at a bachelor's, run the numbers hard before signing for $27,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Transylvania University worth the cost for the ROI?
With graduates earning $54,705 after 10 years and median debt of $27,000, Transylvania University offers moderate returns. The net price of $23,560 annually is reasonable for a private liberal arts college, though the 69% graduation rate suggests completion risk for some students.
What are the best paying majors at Transylvania University?
Accounting ($48,667) and general business ($46,087) provide the strongest financial returns at Transylvania University. Education majors earn significantly less at $32,925, while biology and psychology graduates face much lower starting salaries under $30,000.
How much debt do Transylvania University graduates typically have?
Transylvania University graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. With typical starting salaries around $54,705, most graduates can handle this debt load if they complete their degree.
Does Transylvania University provide good financial aid?
The net price of $23,560 suggests Transylvania University offers substantial financial aid, bringing costs down from the full sticker price. However, nearly one-third of students don't graduate, which can leave them with debt but no degree to show for it.