Transylvania University vs. Carnegie Mellon

Comparable Facts

Compare Transylvania University in Lexington, KY with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Transylvania University based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 1,006 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Transylvania University is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); Carnegie Mellon University is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• Transylvania University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Transylvania University 10:1; Carnegie Mellon University 5:1.

Transylvania University vs. Carnegie Mellon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Transylvania University or Carnegie Mellon? 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 Carnegie Mellon ($25,442 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Transylvania University are 19.1% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($14,697 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Transylvania University (about $19,376 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $46,870.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Transylvania University (about $19,376 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $46,870.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Transylvania University than at Carnegie Mellon University (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students is 34% larger than aid received by Transylvania University students ($48,107 vs. $35,903).

Transylvania University vs. Carnegie Mellon Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Transylvania University or Carnegie Mellon? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carnegie Mellon and Transylvania University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is 290 points higher than at Transylvania University (1250).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at Transylvania University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Transylvania University 1120/1380; Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Transylvania University 24/30; Carnegie Mellon University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Transylvania University - Test optional; Carnegie Mellon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Transylvania University Aug 1, 2027; Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Carnegie Mellon students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Transylvania University (3.77).
• Transylvania University has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than Carnegie Mellon (11.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.3% at Transylvania University vs. 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon.

Transylvania University vs. Carnegie Mellon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Transylvania University and Carnegie Mellon? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Carnegie Mellon University's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than Transylvania University's (70%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $54,000 more per year than Transylvania University graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $48,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carnegie Mellon University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Transylvania University graduates ($26,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Carnegie Mellon graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Transylvania University graduates ($271 vs. $279).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Transylvania University students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 75%)

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.