Tennessee Wesleyan University is celebrating a historic milestone and is excited to announce record enrollment for the third consecutive semester. This fall, the university welcomed 1,398 students, the highest enrollment in its history.

     Some of the areas of growth include the dual enrollment programs (up 96% from last year), graduate programs (up 59%), and the 4+1 programs (up 27%). In total, Tennessee Wesleyan enrollment grew by 19% from 2024 to 2025 across all programs.

     The continued growth of the university reflects the strength of its academic programs and student culture. The steady increase in student enrollment also reflects the university’s focus on the future, not only for the school itself but for its students. Enrollment has climbed steadily over the past year, with this fall marking the largest student body in the university’s 168-year history.

   “We are thrilled to see more and more students choosing Tennessee Wesleyan as their academic home,” said Dr. Tyler Forrest, President of TWU. “This achievement highlights not only the quality of our programs but also the dedication of our faculty and staff who work tirelessly to ensure every student has the resources and opportunities to thrive.” 

     The official census is taken ten days after the first day of class and indicates enrollment trends, student retention, and housing numbers. 

  “As a university, we have worked hard over the last year to support our local school systems in a number of ways. Though our student body represents many states and countries, historically, the valley between Knoxville and Chattanooga has proven to be Tennessee Wesleyan’s strongest market,” Forrest noted. “Seeing the numbers reflect those efforts are rewarding for our team.”

   Tennessee Wesleyan is excited to continue welcoming new members into the Bulldog family! Applications are now open for the 2026 school year and can be found here.

   Students who are interested in learning more about Tennessee Wesleyan University are invited to the Fall Open House on October 2nd or can schedule an individual tour on the university’s website.