Rowan University’s dramatic and strategic transformation into one of the nation’s fastest growing public research institutions is more important than ever, not just for the university and its 22,000 students, but for all of New Jersey and the countless individuals who rely on Rowan for education, health care, practical research and economic development.
Just a short time ago, few could have imagined Rowan’s recent accomplishments.
More innovation and ability to solve problems
During the past decade, the university has rapidly transformed into a top 100 public research institution, progressing toward achieving Carnegie R1 status (very high research activity). In addition, Rowan is:
- the nation’s third fastest-growing public research university (The Chronicle of Higher Education);
- improving health care education, practice and research in a new partnership with Virtua Health and building on established partnerships with regional health systems, including our collaboration with Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University;
- managing $62.7 million in FY22 research and sponsored projects (more than $385 million since 2012 with sponsors and partners including: the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Army, NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of New Jersey);
- host of 24 entrepreneurial companies and three research centers in materials, transportation and virtual reality at South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University.
More pathways to affordable, valuable degree programs
Rowan continues to expand enrollment to meet the demand for high-quality public higher education throughout its curriculum, particularly in medicine, engineering and business. Even as its research capacity increases, Rowan remains dedicated to excellent undergraduate programs that provide students with the advantages of small classes and the resources of a large university.
Enhanced by collaboration and innovation with education partners, Rowan’s student-centered focus on access and affordability provides:
- tuition held at or below the predicted rate of inflation for the past eight years;
- more undergraduate options through our 3+1 programs with community colleges, making a four-year degree more accessible at about the same cost that other colleges charge for one year;
- more health care education options through Rowan-Virtua partnership;
- hybrid and fully online degree programs, plus degree-completion programs, professional development and stackable credentials through Rowan Global.
More capacity to collaborate
At eight campuses and more than 100 locations, Rowan serves the region and state with access to education, research and essential health care services and programs. Committed to solving real-world problems, Rowan experts and partners are:
- creating and testing new materials and processes to improve the nation’s transportation infrastructure, sustainability, biomedical sectors and more;
- conducting research at shared facilities, including the Joint Health Sciences Center in Camden, working with Rutgers–Camden, Camden County College, Cooper University Health Care, Coriell Institute and other Camden-based organizations;
- establishing the Catalysts for Sustainability program to develop, advance and communicate solutions to existential threats posed by the climate and biodiversity crises.
More agility and capacity to respond and transform
In its most recent accreditation review, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education gave Rowan University glowing remarks in all areas, stating that Rowan is a “model for institutional transformation.”
That’s been made possible through new ways of thinking, demonstrated by new facilities throughout Rowan’s campuses representing tremendous growth and opportunity. Rather than taking on more debt or funding expansion through tuition increases, Rowan is building campus facilities through partnerships with host communities, private investors and developers. Long-term leases, collaboration with other institutions, municipalities and public-private partnerships are making possible new construction and redevelopment projects designed as resources for the university and the communities it serves.
Thanks to vigorous commitment to fiscal responsibility within its $587 million operating budget, building public-private partnerships and earning significant support from donors, Rowan University is positioned with unusual agility and resources.
Its most recent institutional blueprint, The University of the Future, reflects Rowan’s long-standing emphasis on rethinking higher education models and transforming to anticipate and meet needs. Its new partnership with Virtua Health will leverage $210 million dedicated to provide top-notch facilities and resources and attract students and professionals to advance health care.
Within this context, the university’s economic impact and development prospects are significant, including:
- $627 million in capital investments in the past 10 years and more than $324 million in capital projects underway and planned for the next five years;
- further developing the West Campus with design and construction starting on the $35 million research facility for Rowan-Virtua biomedical engineering and health care initiatives, plus more public private ventures including manufacturing, modern agriculture and other projects;
- opening the state’s first veterinary school in 2025 with a $100 million academic and clinical facility.
In addition to direct institutional spending, Rowan affiliates and partners have completed closely aligned projects, such as the $426 million Rowan Boulevard. Avoiding debt and tuition increases to fund construction, Rowan has built campus facilities through partnerships with host communities, private investors and developers. The public-private partnerships make possible new construction and redevelopment projects designed as resources for the university and the communities it serves.
Pre-pandemic, an economic impact analysis pegged Rowan’s impact at $1.53 billion. Directly supporting 4,460 jobs and nearly 7,000 jobs indirectly in New Jersey annually, Rowan is a major economic driver in the region. Rowan students spend an additional $128 million each year throughout the state, beyond tuition, fees, room and board. Alumni in New Jersey earn an additional $197 million annually due to their Rowan degrees.
More for all of us
After enduring the greatest challenge of our lifetime, a global pandemic, Rowan University has demonstrated resilience and the ability to adapt quickly, while moving confidently toward the future with big, bold decisions that continue Rowan’s tradition of transformation.
Rowan’s future remains bright
Every day, Rowan University is focused on providing high-quality education at affordable cost so ambitious students can earn degrees, conduct research that addresses real-world challenges and become productive citizens. Our graduates create businesses and produce wealth. As teachers, doctors, scientists, engineers—wherever they work and live and whatever they do—they improve life for all of us.
Rowan University
201 Mullica Hill Road | Glassboro
(856) 256-4000
Rowan.edu
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 7.
For more info on Suburban Family Magazine, click here.
For information about advertising in Suburban Family Magazine, click here.
To find out where to pick up your copy of Suburban Family Magazine, click here.
