Transylvania University

transylvania university majors

Independent, Christian Liberal Arts Education at Transylvania

Transylvania University appears in our ranking of the 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the South.

Ranked 76th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, Transylvania University is a private, nonprofit Disciples of Christ NAICU member in Lexington that confers 43 traditional and 27 self-designed bachelor’s majors plus nine pre-professional tracks at an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. For example, the Elementary Education Major (B.A.) follows a 32-unit, CAEP-accredited plan outlined by Dr. Tiffany Wheeler for Kentucky P-5 certification after student teaching placements like Fayette County Public Schools and Nerd Squad STEM Tutoring Program participation. Directed by Dr. Mark Jackson in Hazelrigg Hall, the 32-unit Psychology Major (B.A.) lets undergrads join Psi Chi and research in the Neuroscience Lab for grad school admission success at Arizona State, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Boston, and others.

At Brown Science Center, the Chemistry Major (B.A.) builds a 32-unit, ACS-aligned curriculum for Biochemistry and Teaching Chemistry tracks led by Dr. Eva Csuhai with Experimental Lab projects for 95 percent job placement at Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Shell Oil, Parke Davis, Monsanto, and more. Chaired by Ms. Tosha Fowler, the 32-unit Theater Major (B.A.) offers opportunities to perform at the 11,000-square-foot Lucille Caudill Little Theater, intern at Pandora’s Box Productions, study Shakespeare in England, and utilize the Stage Mentorship Program. Other Transy Bachelor of Arts options include Computer Science, Accounting, Exercise Science, History, Foreign Language, Music Studies, Religion, Political Communication, Digital Design, International Security, Anthropology, and Human Resources Management.

About Transylvania University

Transylvania University originated in 1780 when Governor Thomas Jefferson signed legislation passed by the Virginia Assembly to form Transylvania Seminary. In 1785, Christ Episcopal Church rector Rev. Moore sponsored the historic institution’s inaugural class in Danville. In 1793, Transylvania was given Gratz Park to build its permanent home in Lexington. Six years later, it adopted the Transylvania University name as the West’s first such college. In 1807, Senator Henry Clay was named to the Board of Trustees. In 1820, the Kappa Lambda of Hippocrates was founded at Transylvania’s Medical Department that closed in 1859. Pivotal during the Civil War, Transylvania merged with Kentucky University in Harrodsburg in 1865. In 1889, Kate Van Arsdall became the school’s first female graduate. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower gave a speech at its Frances Carrick Thomas Library. By 1985, Transylvania University started its noteworthy William R. Kenan Lecture Series.

Endowed for $179.2 million, Transylvania University now employs 85 full-time faculty teaching 989 Pioneers from 10 countries each 14-week semester at the 24-building Lexington campus with 60+ clubs like SpeakOut Spoken Word for 82 percent retention. In 2018, Transy received the EVERFI Campus Sexual Assault Prevention Excellence Award. In 2012, Transylvania won the AIKCU Technology Award at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Transylvania University was chosen as a 2016-17 Top Producing Institution by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program too. Forbes named Transylvania the 97th best liberal arts school and 197th top private college. On Niche, Transy has America’s 117th best chemistry, 214th top psychology, and 260th best finance degrees. The Princeton Review declared Transy second nationally for Greek life. Student Loan Report chose Transylvania as the 100th best private value.

Transylvania University Accreditation Details

In June 2012, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees voted favorably to reaffirm Transylvania University based on its Quality Enhancement Plan for Level II accreditation through 2021-22 under the 26th president, Dr. Seamus Carey, who attended Harvard’s Executive Leadership Academy. Located 388 miles down Interstate 75 in Decatur, this esteemed 11-state Southeast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (KCPE). Further, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredited Transylvania in April 2015.

Transylvania University Application Requirements

Admission to Transylvania University is classified “very selective” by Peterson’s even though 1,496 of the 1,567 Fall 2017 applicants were chosen for 95.5 percent acceptance. First-year Pioneers must meet Kentucky’s pre-college high school graduation requirements with four units of English/Language Arts and Math. GED equivalency scores of 150 and greater are considered on a case-by-case basis. The Class of 2021 held mostly As and Bs for an average 3.73 GPA. Enrollment is test-optional for freshmen who submit the one-page essay. When submitted, undergrads have mid-range SAT composite scores of 1180-1360. The middle 50th percentile achieve ACT scores of 25-30. International students from non-English countries need a minimum 550 SAT Reading, 80 TOEFL iBT, 6.0 IELTS, or 52 PTE score. Current undergrads utilize the Transfer Evaluation System to count up to 16 course units from regionally accredited colleges. Competitive transfers will have GPAs above 2.5 and good standing without probation.

Transylvania University set freshman deadlines of October 31st for Early Action 1, December 1st for Early Action 2, and February 1st for Regular Decision. First-year candidates must reserve their spot with a $250 enrollment deposit by May 1st. Undergrad transfers can file until April 1st for Fall or December 1st for Winter semester starts. Accordingly, complete the Transy or Common Application online for free. Forward official transcripts to 300 North Broadway in Lexington, KY 40508. Directly submit optional testing reports via SAT code 1808 or ACT code 1550. Attach supplemental materials, such as the one-page insight essay, teacher’s evaluation, school counselor recommendation, statement of good transfer standing, work/activity history, and English fluency verification. Contact (800) 872-6798 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Transylvania University is charging full-time Bachelor of Arts majors $20,105 per 14-week semester or $40,210 annually. That’s lower than the top 100 liberal arts college average of $47,893. Living at the Lexington campus’ dorms like Bassett Hall adds $6,730 for yearly housing. Unlimited meal plans for Forrer Dining Center are $4,410 extra. Transy budgets $1,000 for books, $750 for transportation, and $1,350 for personal needs. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $54,450 on-site and $43,310 if commuting. The Pioneer Pledge guarantees four-year completion for a total bachelor’s price of $217,800. However, Transylvania graduates report a median overall debt of $30,514.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid on Old Morrison Hall’s 1st Floor gets 99 percent of full-time Transy Pioneers tuition assistance averaging $24,019 each for $22.81 million combined. Institutional funds include the Presidents Scholarship, Morrison Scholarship, Pioneer Scholarship, Fine Arts Scholarship, Founders Scholarship, Crimson Scholarship, Kenan Trustee Scholarship, Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship Scholarship, Rogers Scholarship, Gatton Academy STEM Scholarship, International Baccalaureate Scholarship, Cane Ridge Scholarship, and Waldrop Disciples Leadership Scholarship. Since 1982, the William T. Young Scholarship has covered full tuition and fees for a four-year value of over $120,000. The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship deducts 50 percent off tuition for foreign freshmen applying by December 1st. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 001897. The Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program also guarantees a minimum of $14,000 each year for in-state undergrads meeting the 3.0 GPA.

Search through four accredited divisions conferring 65+ undergrad degrees placed 293rd overall by Times Higher Education at the Transylvania University website.