Rankings

LEXINGTON, Ky.—The Princeton Review this week included Transylvania University in a book featuring the top 15 percent of the nation’s four-year colleges. “We picked the 382 ‘best’ colleges for our book primarily for their outstanding academics: We highly recommend each one,” said Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief and lead author of “The Best 382 Colleges: 2018 Edition.” Known for its college admissions, tutoring and test prep services, the The Princeton Review surveyed students at the country’s top schools for the annual publication. Transylvania students said their school is known for its “academic rigor” and “high quality education.” Additionally, the university’s grounding in the liberal arts “empowers individuals to … become good, informed citizens.” The Princeton Review also highlighted positive feedback about Transylvania’s professors, who are “exceptional at fostering critical thought,” treat students as scholars, value their input and provide help outside the classroom—including finding them internships. The book mentioned Transylvania’s welcoming and diverse student body as well. “There is never a day that you don’t stop and say hello to someone on the way to class, or recognize a face on campus,” one student said. Students also noted the benefits of being in the heart of downtown Lexington, including nearby farmers markets and volunteer opportunities. “Yesterday, for instance, I volunteered at the Hope Center, a local homeless shelter which provides clean lodgings and offers free meals to anyone who needs them,” another student said. In addition to including Transylvania

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LEXINGTON, KY—MONEY Magazine on Thursday ranked Transylvania University among Kentucky’s top 10 colleges when it comes to return on investment after graduation. MONEY ranks colleges based on 27 measures of educational quality, affordability and alumni success. Specific metrics include graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio and graduates’ earnings. “College is now the second-largest financial expenditure for many families, exceeded only by the purchase of a home,” according to MONEY. “So it isn’t surprising that parents and students are taking a hard look at the costs and payoffs of any college they consider.” Transylvania stands up well to this kind of scrutiny. It costs about $10,000 less than the average top-100 liberal arts college, and 98 percent of all students receive aid that they don’t have to pay back. In addition to making MONEY’S Best Colleges in the nation list, Transylvania has appeared in other recent prestigious rankings. The school was named one of the country’s 10 best colleges for value by USA Today/College Factual. This ranking considered Transylvania’s educational quality, as well as factors such as tuition, grants, scholarships and the average number of years it takes students to earn a degree. Also, Washington Monthly said Transylvania is one of the South’s Best Bangs for the Buck, and Kiplinger’s Best College Values of 2017 listed Transylvania 60th among the nation’s liberal arts schools.

LEXINGTON, Ky.— Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has ranked Transylvania University as one of the nation’s best values for a liberal arts education. The magazine’s Best College Values of 2017 weighs both academic excellence and cost criteria—such as sticker price, financial aid and debt. This ranking, which was released Thursday, comes on the heels of several other recognitions for Transylvania, including a top-10 spot in USA Today/College Factual’s Best Colleges for the Money and Washington Monthly’s Best Bang for the Buck in the South. “Any way you look at it, Transylvania offers a top-notch liberal arts education at an affordable price,” said Holly Sheilley, vice president for enrollment and student life. “We understand the challenges families face in paying for college, so we strive to give them the best possible return on investment.” In fact, Transylvania costs about $10,000 less than the average top-100 liberal arts college. Additionally, the average financial aid package for incoming students was $26,643 last year, and 98 percent of all students received aid that they didn’t have to pay back. This kind of assistance is why Transylvania ranks 60th among the nation’s liberal arts schools in Kiplinger’s Best College Values of 2017. “There’s no way around it: College is expensive, and it’s going to stay that way for a long time. So, with our rankings…our goal is to help students and their parents understand what’s really worth the price,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

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