Transylvania University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Transylvania University charges a net price of $21,913/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $87,652. Graduates earn a median $54,705 ten years after entry, $6,345/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 13.8 years — a 20-year net return of $39,248, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Transylvania University's 13.8-year payback ranks #927 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 28% of them, and #8 of 51 in Kentucky.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $21,913/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $87,652 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,705 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $6,345/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $27,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 13.8 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $39,248 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Transylvania University's own numbers. Net price $21,913 × 4 years = $87,652 total. Median earnings $54,705 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $6,345 a year of premium. $87,652 ÷ $6,345 = 13.8 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $39,248. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Transylvania University students graduate with?
A median $27,000 in federal loans among completers, or 49% of the $54,705 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Transylvania University students graduate?
71% finish their degree. Spread the $87,652 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $123,454 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Transylvania University expensive compared with other Kentucky colleges?
Its $21,913 net price runs $7,806 above the $14,107 median across the 51 Kentucky colleges we profile, or $31,224 more across the full degree.