NKU vs. Transylvania University

Should I go to Northern Kentucky University or Transylvania University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if NKU or Transylvania University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northern Kentucky University vs. Transylvania University comparison
Northern Kentucky University Transylvania University College 3 College 4
Northern Kentucky University Transylvania University
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Overview

NKU Transylvania University
Location Highland Heights, KY Lexington, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 15,801 979
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #805
Religious Affiliation - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nku.edu transy.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

NKU Transylvania University
Tuition (In State) $10,208 $41,900
Tuition (Out of State) $20,464 $41,900
Room & Board $11,248 $12,750
Avg Net Price $7,259 $25,767
Avg Grant Aid $11,275 $31,355
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

NKU Transylvania University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,905 1,781
Admitted 5,939 1,617
Acceptance Rate 86% 90.8%
Enrolled % 27.6% 17.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.77
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 23/29
SAT Range 1030/1290 1120/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

NKU Transylvania University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Foreign Languages (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)

Outcomes

NKU Transylvania University
Graduation Rate 37% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,700 $48,700
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,950 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $257 $279

Diversity

NKU Transylvania University
% Men 36% 44%
% Women 64% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 79%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

NKU Transylvania University
% In-State 66% 79%
% Out-of-State 26% 19%

Campus

NKU Transylvania University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 979 students)

NKU vs. Transylvania University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NKU or Transylvania University?

  • Transylvania University is 310.5% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($41,900.00 vs. $10,208.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 104.7% higher at Transylvania University than Northern Kentucky University ($41,900.00 vs. $20,464.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Transylvania University ($7,259 vs. $25,767)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 13.4% lower than costs at Transylvania University ($11,248 vs. $12,750)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University as Transylvania University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Transylvania University students is 178.1% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($31,355 vs. $11,275)

NKU vs. Transylvania University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NKU or Transylvania University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Transylvania University or NKU .

  • Accepted freshman Transylvania University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at NKU (3.42)
  • Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (90.8%) than NKU (86%)

NKU vs. Transylvania University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, NKU or Transylvania University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Transylvania University and NKU.

  • The graduation rate at Transylvania University is higher than Northern Kentucky University (70% vs. 37%)
  • Graduates from Transylvania University earn on average $9,000 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($48,700 vs. $39,700)
  • Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Transylvania University graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
  • NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Transylvania University graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
  • More Transylvania University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/