Student Satisfaction and Achievement
In addition to learning outcomes and accreditation, Thomas Edison State University assesses its institutional performance by examining the satisfaction and achievements of our students and graduates.
Student Satisfaction
- Overall, over 91% of graduating students would recommend TESU
- 92.3% of undergraduate students and 100% of graduate and doctoral students were satisfied with their educational experience
- 94.9% of undergraduate students and 96.4% of graduate and doctoral students were satisfied with the flexibility in the pathway to their degree
- 95.5% of undergraduate students and 93.5% of graduate and doctoral students were satisfied with the acceptance of their transfer credits
- 95% of undergraduate students were satisfied with their zero textbook cost (ZTC) courses
*Source: FY 2025 Thomas Edison State University Graduating Student Survey
Student Achievement
- Between FY2024 Q3 and FY2026 Q2, graduates of the University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program who took their Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) achieved a first-time pass rate of 84.5%.
Source: http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/NCLEX-RN.aspx
Time to Graduate Information
Most Thomas Edison State University students are working adults who attend school part-time while managing their professional and personal responsibilities. Since Thomas Edison State University students are primarily non first-time, part-time students, the time it takes them to complete a degree varies widely and depends largely on the following two factors:
- How many transfer credits they are able to apply to their degree program
- How much time they can commit to earning the credits required to finish their degree
The following information illustrates the completion patterns of students who completed a degree from Thomas Edison State University in FY 2026:
| Degree | 1 yr or less | 2 yrs | 3 yrs | 4 yrs | 5 yrs | 6 yrs | 7 yrs | 8 yrs | 9 yrs | 10 or more yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | 26% | 17% | 15% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 6% | 3% | 3% | 11% |
| Bachelor | 25% | 22% | 13% | 7% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 3% | 2% | 15% |
| Master | 21% | 36% | 19% | 9% | 6% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 4% |
| Doctorate | 10% | 21% | 60% | 2% | 5% | 2% | – | – | – | – |
Mean Time to Degree: Associate = 4.4, Baccalaureate = 4.7, Master’s = 2.8, and Doctorate = 3.0
Source: The Office of Institutional Research, Thomas Edison State University, Year End Data Files, Aug. 2026
Time-to-Degree Averages for Bachelor Degree Earners* who completed a degree from Thomas Edison State University in FY 2026
| First-time Students | Transfer Students | Combined | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA | – | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| BS | – | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| BSBA | – | 5.2 | 5.2 |
Source: The Office of Institutional Research, Thomas Edison State University, Year End Data Files, Aug. 2026
*Degrees with fewer than 15 graduates are excluded to protect student privacy.
Student Retention and Persistence Information
According to the University's FY 2021 Persistence Survey, the most common reasons reported by students for leaving Thomas Edison State University before completing a degree were external factors not associated with the institution. The primary reasons for stopping out include:
- Financial issues: 53%
- Work-related issues: 57%
- Personal, health or family issues: 52%
According to the University’s FY 2023 Graduate Survey – Undergraduate Level:
- 83% of graduates who had stopped out before returning to the institution reported there was nothing the University could have done to help them remain enrolled without interruption
- 89% of graduates who had stopped out before returning to the institution reported there was nothing the University could have done to help facilitate their return
Outcomes Measure Report
Note: Students enrolled at Thomas Edison State University are primarily Non-First Time, Part Time students.
Prepared by: The Office of Institutional Research, Thomas Edison State University, January 2026. Source: FY 2026 IPEDS Outcome Measures Submission, FY 2018 Cohort Award and Enrollment status at Eight Years.