Founded in 1780 as the nation's 16th college and affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) since 1865, Transylvania is known for its legacy of academic excellence. Early graduates of Transylvania include two U.S. vice presidents, 50 U.S. senators, 101 U.S. representatives, 36 governors and 34 ambassadors.

Transylvania is consistently ranked among the nation's best liberal arts colleges by publications such as U.S. News & World Report, Peterson's Top Colleges for Science, and Barron's Best Buys in College Education. The student body consists of bright, highly-motivated students who thrive under the personal attention of faculty, made possible by a small student-to-faculty ratio. Transylvania's professors are among the best in the nation. Through our Bingham Program for Excellence in Teaching, Transylvania was the first college in the nation to attract and reward outstanding teaching on a substantial scale.

Transy students can choose to participate in more than 50 organizations including Disciples on Campus, choir, student government, drama and community service. More than one-third of the student body participates in 15 varsity sports-eight for women and seven for men. Many students also take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad for a term, year or summer at locations around the world.

The Career Development Center helps students prepare to enter the job market during their freshman year by coordinating work experience through internships and part-time jobs. Small classes and individual attention help prepare students well for highly selective graduate and professional schools, especially in law and medicine.

Transylvania University is related by covenant to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)