Spelman vs. Transylvania University

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with Transylvania University in Lexington, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 1,006 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); Transylvania University is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Transylvania University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; Transylvania University 10:1.

Spelman vs. Transylvania University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Transylvania University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Transylvania University than Spelman ($25,442 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Transylvania University are 18.8% lower than at Spelman College ($14,697 vs. $18,091).
• Transylvania University is 48.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $15,314 more per year; $46,870.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at Transylvania University than at Spelman College (about $15,314 more per year; $46,870.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Transylvania University than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Transylvania University students is 238.3% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($35,903 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Transylvania University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or Transylvania University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Transylvania University and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Transylvania University (1250) is 40 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming Transylvania University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spelman College 1108/1320; Transylvania University 1120/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spelman College 22/29; Transylvania University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Transylvania University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027; Transylvania University Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Transylvania University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at Spelman (3.75).
• Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 16.3% at Transylvania University.

Spelman vs. Transylvania University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Transylvania University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than Transylvania University's (70%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Transylvania University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $48,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Transylvania University and Spelman graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Transylvania University and Spelman graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Transylvania University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.