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Apply now and we will waive the $50 application fee for all military-affiliated and veteran students.

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Tuition and Fees

2023-2024 Tuition and Fees
For non-nursing undergraduate degree programs only
Application fee: $50 (currently waived for military and veteran students)
Military Tuition (per credit): $250 per credit
Lower Level TECEP Exams (100-200):
Upper Level TECEP Exams (300-400):
$52 per credit
$77 per credit
Graduation Audit Fee: $298

The Military Tuition rate is offered to active duty, guard and reserve servicemembers, their spouses and dependents and Department of Defense (DoD) civilian employees.

Credit Hour Residency Waiver Fee
Military Rate: $3,354

*Tuition effective 6/30/23 to 6/30/24. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Participants pay the application fee at the time of application. The tuition is paid at the time of course registration. Text and materials are extra and cost varies per course. Students can order textbooks and course materials directly from MBS Direct at: (800) 325-3252.

NOTE: The Credit Hour Residency Waiver Fee applies to military students who have not earned at least 12 semester hours toward their associate’s degree or 24 semester hours toward their bachelor’s degree program.

If a student pays either residency waiver fee or does not graduate within 15 months, they will be required to pay additional credit hour residency waiver fees.

Students who successfully graduate from their first associate degree at TESU and pay the waiver will have been deemed to meet the University’s Credit Hour Residency requirement for both the completed associate degree and their first bachelor’s degree should they pursue one at TESU. The certificate residency fee may be applied toward the first associates/bachelors’ residency fee if the student completes their degree at TESU.

Students will be responsible for any increase in credit hour residency fees if the fee paid for the associate degree is less than the current fee at the time the student applies for graduation for their first bachelor’s degree.

Students with questions about the Credit Hour Residency Waiver are encouraged to speak with their TESU advisor.

Important Note for Military Students:

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) requires students using VA educational (GI Bill) benefits to be placed into a per-credit tuition plan. The VA requires this because other traditional tuition plans that require students to pay a larger amount up front and take classes throughout a 12-month enrollment period can be problematic and costly for the student and the VA. This is especially true if a student only takes a few credits throughout the enrollment period. Placing VA students into a per-credit tuition plans helps alleviate this issue.

In accordance with VA guidance, Thomas Edison State University places all VA students no longer qualifying for contracted military tuition programs into the Per Credit Tuition Plan (PCTP). Under this plan, undergraduate tuition will be assessed on a per-credit basis.

Whether or not a student will have out-of-pocket expenses depends on which chapter of the GI Bill they are using and whether they are covered at 100 percent or not. Some chapters are designed to have students pay for tuition up front and receive reimbursement from the VA following certification. Other chapters do not require students to pay for tuition up front and the tuition is sent from the VA to the University following certification. If you have specific questions about your educational benefit, please contact the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs directly at (888) 442-4551.

Thomas Edison State University is a participating institution with the Department of Defense Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (DoD MOU). We provide the following information and resources to ensure military and veteran students, and their families, make an informed decision about the university they plan to attend.

Please visit the The College Scorecard and The College Navigator, provided by the U.S. Department of Education, for statistics and information about colleges and universities that you may find helpful.

Financial Aid and Financial Planning Resources:

All students are encouraged to apply for financial aid, which can be used in conjunction with Tuition Assistance and Veterans Education Benefits.

Thomas Edison State University has established scholarships to recognize the service and sacrifice of U.S. Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard service members; their spouses; veterans; and wounded warriors.

These free resources can help you understand your financial cost and benefits available for attending Thomas Edison State University:

Updating Your Military Affiliation

Active duty, guard and reserve servicemembers, their family members and DoD employees are eligible for a discounted military tuition rate. However, your tuition rate may change if you or your family member's (sponsor) military affiliation changes. We ask that you update your military status on an annual basis.

Update Military Affiliation »