New student enrollment, which includes incoming undergraduate and graduate-level students, is up 8.3 percent over the previous year.

Texas Wesleyan's domestic student population is up 7.2 percent over the previous year, the largest domestic student gain since 2010.

"The Class of 2018 is one of the largest classes in recent history," President Frederick G. Slabach, said. "Growth in the area of domestic enrollment is part of our 2020 Strategic Plan, and this is a huge indicator that we are reaching our goals."

Domestic growth is attributed to several key factors, including: high-quality faculty, service-oriented staff, the admissions team, the University's "Smaller. Smaller." marketing campaign and the success of the new "Smaller. Smarter." Promise Scholarship.

"Our dedicated faculty and staff, and their commitment to delivering the 'Smaller. Smarter.' experience to all our students, is what truly sets us apart," Slabach said.

"The 'Smaller. Smarter.' campaign, now it's third year, continues to harness big perception and awareness gains for us in North Texas," Slabach continued. "The campaign resonates with potential students, parents, and the entire Texas Wesleyan community."

For the fifth straight year, Texas Wesleyan has been ranked in the No. 1 tier of regional universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report.

New transfer scholarship beats expectations

In its inaugural semester, Texas Wesleyan's "Smaller. Smarter." Promise Scholarship, which offers free tuition to qualifying transfer students, tripled expectations. Sixteen percent of domestic transfers students are recipients of the award.

"We are absolutely thrilled to see many deserving students taking advantage of this unique scholarship," Slabach said. "The scholarship opens doors for many bright and hard-working students, who may not have previously considered a private university."

Texas Wesleyan is the most affordable private university in North Texas and awarded an average of $16,557 in financial aid per student last year.

More students now living on campus

The Class of 2018 consists of the largest domestic freshman student population in four years, and it helps make up the 456 students now living on campus. At 98 percent occupancy, this is the largest number of residential students in Texas Wesleyan history.

The Class of 2018 is also one of smartest classes in Texas Wesleyan's recent history, key indicators being incoming test scores and high school GPAs.

The new students will see Texas Wesleyan's Rosedale Renaissance first hand and have the opportunity witness history-in-the-making as Texas Wesleyan continues to work toward its commitment to the revitalization of East Fort Worth. Construction on the new campus clock tower, entryway and other Rosedale Renaissance projects are underway and scheduled to be complete next spring.