Master's Flat-Rate Tuition Program

Lock In Your Master's Tuition Rate

Starting in the May 2025 term, Thomas Edison State University (TESU) has introduced a Master's Flat-Rate Tuition Program for new graduate students.

This specific 2-½ year program makes earning a master's degree more affordable and predictable by allowing you to lock in a fixed tuition rate.

This flat-rate tuition applies to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other select graduate programs, making TESU the one of the most affordable options for graduate education among New Jersey's higher education institutions.

This program is designed to provide you with cost certainty and substantial savings.

How It Works

  • Sign Up: After you are admitted to a master's degree at TESU, simply review the terms and fill out the Master's Flat Rate form to enroll. Some exclusions apply – see Eligibility (below) for more information.
  • Receive Your Invoice: Once accepted into the Master's Flat Rate program, you will be invoiced the entire rate applicable to your specified degree.
  • Choose a Payment Option: You have several flexible ways to pay the invoice:
    • Set up a payment plan and pay over nine months.
    • Pay the full amount upfront.
    • Use federal financial aid to cover cost (be sure to complete your FAFSA first).
  • Register for Courses: After the Office of Student Accounts confirms payment arrangements, you will be notified via email you are cleared to register for courses. Plan ahead by reviewing the upcoming academic graduate calendar to determine your starting term.

Eligibility

All Master's level enrolled students (includes all graduate level course methods)
Exclusions: Doctorate degrees and Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program and Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner.

  • Students select the Flat Rate Tuition at time of Admissions process (new students only)

Note: Students that are/were previously enrolled in graduate courses are ineligible for this program on the basis that the university will not be adjusting any previous credits and payments.

Program Length

  • Students have up to 2 1/2 years to complete the program.
    • MBA - including 2 repeat courses
    • All other Masters -including 2 repeat courses
  • Alternative option is per credit tuition

Cost

  • $50 Application Fee at Admissions process
  • $75 Payment Plan Fee for TouchNet payment plans
  • Master’s in Business Administration $24,000
  • All other Master’s programs $18,000
  • Fee(s) Included – graduation audit fee only
  • Fee(s) not covered- late registration fee, course extension fee, and any other applicable fees
  • Corporate discounts are ineligible
  • Invoicing

    Invoice the full amount at time of enrollment with a 9-month payment plan option. All students (including financial aid and corporate choice) will be required to pay 20% of the tuition plan. A student that has federal aid assigned in their award year can have their estimated aid applied towards the balance and the student will be required to pay the 20% of the remaining difference.

    • MBA 20% down payment: $4,800.00 (without FA)
    • All other Master's 20% down payment: $3,600.00 (without FA)
  • Course Withdrawal Policy

    If the student withdraws or fails courses within the 2 1/2-year program length, the course withdrawals/failures will be applied to the capped credit limit under the specified graduate program. Students that require additional credit after the 2 1/2-year period due to incompletion of the program or course withdrawals/failures will be required to pay on a per credit basis to meet course degree requirements. If the student drops prior to the start of a term, then dropped credits would not be applied to the capped credit limit. Any courses withdrawn after the start of the term (1st day of term) would be counted towards the credit limit allotted to the degree program.

    Review the Graduate Academic Standing Policy under Course Withdrawal Policy.

  • University Withdrawal

    Billing will be converted to the per credit model and a refund will be issued using the standard refund policy during the first nine months of the program. No refunds will be issued after nine (9) months enrollment.

  • Payment Options

    • Out-of-Pocket (total invoice)
    • Federal Aid
    • Payment Plan
    • Federal Aid and Payment Plan

  • Payment Plan Enrollment

    Students are only allowed to enroll in the payment plan once they are billed for the program. Students will receive confirmation once they have been invoiced.

    Sample Payment Plan Installment Schedule (without FA)

    Sample Payment Plan Installment Schedule (without FA)

    Sample Payment Plan Installment Schedule (with FA)

    Payments plans to include financial aid (i.e. scholarships, grants and/or loans) require full payment within 9 months from the first date of enrollment, as with all payment methods.

    Sample Payment Plan Installment Schedule (with FA)