Tennessee Wesleyan University celebrates a record enrollment to begin the Fall 2024 academic year following the campus census date identified as ten business days after the first day of class. The growth is bolstered by growth in multiple areas across the campus.

“This past year, as a university, we really set our sights on enrollment being a campus-wide strategy,” said Dr. Tyler Forrest, Tennessee Wesleyan University’s President. “The efforts have paid off with an all-time record of 1,177 students attending Tennessee Wesleyan.”

Of the record 1,177 students, which represents an 11.6% increase from the Fall 2023 term, 927 are enrolled in undergraduate programs and 250 at the graduate level. Of the multiple modes of delivery watched, five of those are also at a record level this fall, including students enrolled in the Wilhelm Dental Hygiene Program, Dual Enrollment, Master of Arts in Teaching, Executive Master of Business Administration, and the two Executive Master of Science degrees.

Another key driver of enrollment growth was a significant increase in retention.

“A number we track closely is the fall-to-fall retention number, meaning how many of the students enrolled in the Fall 2023 semester who did not graduate, returned in the Fall 2024 semester.” Forrest noted. “This year, I am ecstatic that our Freshman retention rate is up eight percent, in addition to an all-time transfer record of 92%, which demonstrates the dedication that so many of our faculty and staff have to ensuring our students remain our number one priority each and every day.”

When looking closer at the numbers, and in addition to the programs listed above that had records, growth was also seen in the Athens Day program, which represents the largest segment of the student body and the traditional and RN-BSN nursing programs.

“Diversification of programming has been a strategy of Tennessee Wesleyan for several years. Students’ needs continue to evolve, and requirements of employer expectations continue to change with market trends,” said Dr. Grant Willhite, Vice President for Academics. “Just like industry, we must also be nimble and respond to the everchanging world we live in.”

Over the last decade, Tennessee Wesleyan University has added programs that are in direct response to the interest of students and market expectations. Most recently, Master’s degrees were added in Education and Sport Leadership, both of which provide a graduate school pathway for students in the University’s Education and Health and Human Performance programs immediately following their undergraduate coursework. Additions in the Executive format business degrees and an accelerated path in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree are also in direct response to those changes in student and market demands.

“Many times, I have remarked that Tennessee Wesleyan is a gem and not one we want hidden,” said Forrest. “As this record enrollment would indicate, word is getting out that we provide a strong commitment to academic excellence, coupled with a level of affordability that allows all prospective students to earn a Tennessee Wesleyan degree.”

Students interested in learning more about Tennessee Wesleyan University are invited to the Fall Open House on October 3 or can schedule an individual or group tour at any time.