On the East Fort Worth campus of Texas Wesleyan University, this fall feels a little different. More students are walking the sidewalks, the dining hall is buzzing, and classrooms are filling faster than usual. The reason: Texas Wesleyan has just posted the largest first-year class in its 135-year history — 501 students — surpassing last year’s record of 490, according to a release.
Overall enrollment climbed 10%, bringing the student body to 2,792. Transfer and graduate students also added to the surge, marking a milestone moment for Fort Worth’s first university.
“This historic level of interest is a strong signal that students and families recognize the value of a Texas Wesleyan education,” said President Dr. Emily Messer. “We offer a personalized experience to remove barriers for students while ensuring they succeed in their selected field. Our university is focused on academic rigor, affordability, and transformative opportunities for all students. Texas Wesleyan students graduate prepared not only for their first job but for leadership and lifelong success.”
The numbers reflect rising demand. First-year applications increased by 29% over the previous year, highlighting the appeal of Wesleyan’s academic programs in business, education, psychology, and more. The university points to its TXWES Promise — a full-tuition program for Pell Grant–eligible Texas residents — as a key driver in expanding access.
“Some of our outsized growth may be credited to our investment in students by offering the TXWES Promise,” said Lauren Findley, vice president of enrollment management. “We are proud to open doors for all students, ensuring they thrive at Texas Wesleyan beyond enrollment.”
More than half of the university’s students identify as first-generation, and TXWES was recently recognized as a First-Gen Forward campus, a national designation honoring schools that support the needs of first-generation students.
For a university founded in 1890, the record-setting class signals both continuity and momentum. Applications are now open for terms through Fall 2026, with campus tours available at txwes.edu/visit and applications online at txwes.edu/admissions/apply-now.
Findley added, "The commitment of our faculty and staff has resulted in a growing reputation that our small campus environment leads students towards greater opportunities for their futures."
