Bellarmine University vs Transylvania University: which has better ROI?
Bellarmine University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,996 in 6.3 years versus 13.8 years at Transylvania University, on median earnings of $62,069 vs $54,705 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bellarmine University | Transylvania University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,499 | $21,913 |
| Total net cost | $85,996 | $87,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,069 | $54,705 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 6.3 yrs | 13.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $188,184 | $39,248 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bellarmine University or Transylvania University?
Bellarmine University, at $21,499 a year after aid versus $21,913 — a gap of $414 a year, or $1,656 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bellarmine University or Transylvania University graduates earn more?
Bellarmine University graduates report a median $62,069 ten years after entry, $7,364 more than the $54,705 at Transylvania University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Bellarmine University or Transylvania University?
Bellarmine University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Transylvania University, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at Transylvania University, against 64% at Bellarmine University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.