Students at Rowan University achieve strong long-term earnings that consistently exceed typical outcomes for similar public institutions, with particularly impressive results for low-income students who earn well above national averages.
The university's combination of broad access and above-average financial outcomes makes it a reliable pathway to economic mobility for New Jersey families.
Rowan University delivers consistently strong long-term financial outcomes for students across a wide range of backgrounds. Located in Glassboro, New Jersey, this large public university combines broad accessibility with above-average earnings performance, creating a compelling value proposition for families seeking reliable return on investment. About 31% of students receive Pell Grants and 35% are first-generation college students, yet graduates still achieve median earnings of $59,988 ten years after enrollment.
What sets Rowan apart is its ability to serve as a "Mobility Engine" — an institution that opens its doors widely while delivering strong economic outcomes for low-income students specifically. Graduates from low-income backgrounds earn about $57,300 at the ten-year mark, placing Rowan in the top 15% nationally for low-income student earnings. This performance reflects the university's strength in professional programs like engineering, business, and education, combined with its location in the greater Philadelphia metropolitan area where graduates can access diverse career opportunities.
As a comprehensive public university, Rowan offers the scale and program breadth that students need to explore different academic paths while maintaining focus on career-oriented outcomes. The university's 68% six-year graduation rate, combined with strong earnings performance and manageable debt levels, makes it an attractive option for New Jersey families seeking both accessibility and long-term financial security.
Rowan University's program portfolio balances popular fields with strong career-focused options that lead to solid financial outcomes. Psychology leads enrollment with 400 graduates, reflecting student interest in behavioral sciences, though earnings in this field typically start more modestly at $33,736 as graduates often pursue additional education or gain experience in human services, counseling, or related fields. Business Administration and Management represents the university's strongest combination of scale and financial return, graduating 367 students annually with median earnings of $46,321, making it the program with the highest aggregate economic impact.
Engineering programs deliver Rowan's strongest individual earnings outcomes. Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earn about $72,742 ten years out, representing some of the highest compensation levels at the university and reflecting strong demand for technical skills in the greater Philadelphia region. With 66 graduates annually, this program demonstrates how specialized technical fields can provide substantial salary upside for students willing to pursue demanding coursework.
The university's program mix reflects its comprehensive mission, offering both high-enrollment fields that serve broad student interests and specialized programs that connect directly to regional industry needs. This balance allows students to explore different academic paths while maintaining access to career-oriented programs that deliver strong long-term financial outcomes. Rowan's location in southern New Jersey provides graduates with access to both Philadelphia's diverse job market and the broader Mid-Atlantic economy, supporting career growth across multiple industries and professional fields.
Rowan University graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that place the institution well above average nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $59,988, with the university ranking in the top 25% of public institutions for overall earnings performance. This strong showing reflects both the university's program mix and its location in the greater Philadelphia region, where graduates can access diverse career opportunities across multiple industries and sectors.
The university's strongest financial outcomes come from its engineering and business programs. Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduates earn about $72,742 ten years out, representing some of the highest early-career earnings at the institution. Business Administration and Management, Rowan's largest high-return program with 367 graduates, produces median earnings of $46,321 while serving as the university's primary economic engine due to its combination of strong enrollment and solid pay outcomes. Psychology, the university's largest major with 400 graduates, shows more moderate earnings at $33,736, reflecting the field's typical career trajectory that often requires additional education or experience for higher compensation.
Rowan's career-focused approach helps explain why graduates consistently achieve above-average financial outcomes. The university's location provides access to Philadelphia's job market while maintaining lower cost of living compared to urban centers, allowing graduates' earnings to stretch further in the regional economy.
Rowan University offers predictable and manageable pricing across different income levels, making it accessible to a broad range of New Jersey families. Low-income students pay about $15,180 per year in net price, which sits around the national average for public universities, while middle-income families see annual costs of approximately $19,644. Even higher-income families face net prices of $28,933, reflecting the university's commitment to keeping education affordable across the income spectrum.
Debt levels at Rowan remain within reasonable bounds for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $20,500 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount given the university's strong earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $24,283 for families who choose this option, representing a moderate level of family contribution that aligns with the university's middle-class accessibility mission. The university's zero percent federal loan default rate indicates that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations after graduation.
What makes Rowan particularly sustainable financially is the relationship between what students borrow and what they ultimately earn. With median ten-year earnings approaching $60,000, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment schedules. The university's loan repayment data shows that borrowers are paying down their balances at rates well above national averages, with strong performance in both the percentage of borrowers who achieve full payoff and the speed at which balances decrease over time.
Rowan University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
