Samford University vs. Transylvania University

Should I go to Samford University or Transylvania University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Samford University 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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Samford University vs. Transylvania University comparison
Samford University Transylvania University College 3 College 4
Samford University Transylvania University
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Overview

Samford University Transylvania University
Location Birmingham, AL Lexington, KY
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 5,791 1,022
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #213 #410
Religious Affiliation Baptist Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website samford.edu transy.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Samford University Transylvania University
Tuition (In State) $37,144 $43,160
Tuition (Out of State) $37,144 $43,160
Room & Board $12,160 $14,195
Avg Net Price $32,176 $25,634
Avg Grant Aid $21,758 $33,159
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Samford University Transylvania University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,541 1,986
Admitted 3,734 1,688
Acceptance Rate 82.2% 85%
Enrolled % 28.9% 16.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.84 3.77
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 24/30
SAT Range 1070/1260 1100/1290
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 May 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

Samford University Transylvania University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Foreign Languages (11%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Psychology (11%)

Outcomes

Samford University Transylvania University
Graduation Rate 70% 70%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,400 $48,700
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $232 $279

Diversity

Samford University Transylvania University
% Men 11% 0%
% Women 23% 1%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 81% 79%
% Black 7% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 6%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 3%

Students

Samford University Transylvania University
% In-State 23% 79%
% Out-of-State 77% 19%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Samford University is larger than than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (5,791 students vs. 1,022 students)

Samford University vs. Transylvania University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samford University or Transylvania University?

  • Transylvania University is 16.2% more expensive to attend than Samford University for in-state tuition ($43,160.00 vs. $37,144.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16.2% higher at Transylvania University than Samford University ($43,160.00 vs. $37,144.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Transylvania University than Samford University ($25,634 vs. $32,176)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Samford University are 16.7% lower than costs at Transylvania University ($12,160 vs. $14,195)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Samford University as Transylvania University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Transylvania University students is 52.4% larger than aid received Samford University ($33,159 vs. $21,758)

Samford University vs. Transylvania University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Samford University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Transylvania University (3.77)
  • Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (85%) than Samford University (82.2%)

Samford University vs. Transylvania University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Samford University 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 Samford University.

  • The graduation rate at Samford University is the same as at Transylvania University (70% vs. 70%)
  • Graduates from Samford University earn on average $8,700 more per year than Transylvania University graduates after ten years. ($57,400 vs. $48,700)
  • Samford University students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Transylvania University graduates. ($22,500 vs. $27,000)
  • Samford University graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Transylvania University graduates. ($232 vs. $279)
  • More Samford University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Transylvania University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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