Founded in 1923 as Glassboro Normal School to prepare public educators and transforming through a transformative $100 million gift from industrialist Henry Rowan in 1992, Rowan University is a premier public research university in Glassboro, New Jersey. Spanning a modern 800-acre main campus in Southern New Jersey, Rowan is one of only three public universities in the United States to operate two medical schools. You can examine its founding charter, normal school origins, and historic expansion through the Rowan University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend Rowan, you enter a rapidly expanding R1 doctoral research enterprise focused on engineering innovation, clinical medicine, and regional economic development. Living in Glassboro places you 20 miles southeast of Philadelphia and one hour from Jersey Shore beaches.
Premier Academic Programs
Rowan organizes its instruction across 14 specialized colleges and schools holding national reputations:
- Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering: Top-ranked national leader in chemical engineering, mechanical systems, biomedical devices, and civil infrastructure. Explore degree options on the Rowan Engineering College portal.
- Cooper Medical School of Rowan University: Allopathic medical school located in Camden, specializing in urban health and clinical care.
- Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine: State's premier osteopathic medical school located in Stratford, driving primary care medicine.
- William G. Rohrer College of Business: AACSB-accredited business school famous for entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, and supply chain management.
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Serves as the liberal arts core across law and justice studies, digital media, and psychology.
"Education for Service, reflecting Rowan's founding commitment to public education and community health."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Rowan Boulevard retail corridor, Bunce Hall, and the Campbell Library plaza. School spirit revolves around Whoo RU the Owl, the energetic costumed mascot representing Rowan Profs athletic teams in NCAA Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference sports. You can read about spirit traditions and mascot history on the official Rowan Profs Athletics portal. Cheering inside Richard Wackar Stadium for football games, attending concerts in Pfleeger Concert Hall, and joining over 200 student clubs creates a vibrant campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Virtual Reality
Rowan operates an active research enterprise featuring world-class engineering parks and medical research centers:
- South Jersey Technology Park (SJTP): High-tech research center housing state-of-the-art virtual reality laboratories and advanced materials testing rigs.
- Center for Research and Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems (CREATEs): Federal asphalt and pavement research facility. Learn more via Rowan Research Operations.
- Rowan Medicine Clinics: Statewide clinical network providing patient care and medical research space for clinical trials.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Governors, Pulitzer Prize winners, corporate CEOs, and public servants, including:
- Jim Florio: 49th Governor of New Jersey who supported higher education development and environmental conservation.
- Betty Castor: Former Florida Commissioner of Education and university president who earned her degree at Rowan.
- Patti Smith: Legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer, poet, and author who attended classes at Rowan.
- Robert Hegyes: Television actor best known for Welcome Back, Kotter who earned his speech and theater degree at Rowan.
Rowan provides generous merit scholarship coverage and flat-rate tuition guarantee programs for qualified domestic and international applicants. Review full admission standards on the official Rowan Admissions portal.