Thomas Edison State University (TESU) has announced an 11% increase in total degrees conferred in Fiscal Year 2026 compared to the previous year, fueled by expanding enrollment and rising demand among working professionals.
The university saw significant surges at both ends of its academic spectrum, awarding 19% more baccalaureate degrees—including an 88% jump in graduates from its Accelerated BSN program—and 91% more doctoral degrees than in FY25.
The milestone was driven by sustained increases in new student enrollment over recent years. In FY26 alone, new undergraduate enrollment climbed 13%, while new doctoral enrollment surged by 41%.
High-demand health professions programs led much of the expansion:
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Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): New enrollment increased 23%, growing from 149 to 183 students.
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Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): New enrollment jumped 40%, moving from 20 to 28 students.
With rolling term starts, university leadership expects these health sector pathways to maintain their upward trajectory.
“TESU’s growth reflects the University’s strategic focus on expanding access to high-demand degree pathways for working professionals,” Dr. Merodie Hancock, president of Thomas Edison State University, said. “The significant increases in new undergraduate and doctoral students, and in the number of baccalaureate and doctoral degrees conferred, demonstrate the growing impact of these efforts and the continued demand for prepared professionals in the workplace.”
Recognized by The New York Times as “the college that paved the way for flexibility,” TESU specializes in serving self-directed adult learners through adaptable programs that align with modern workforce demands. The university’s curriculum leverages the real-world experience students bring to the classroom, fostering peer learning environments tailored to busy professionals.
