U.S. News & World Report ranks Rowan University 28th

August 22, 2008

For the ninth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Rowan University, Glassboro, N.J., among the best institutions of higher learning in the nation, placing it in the top tier of the Best Universities-Master's (North Region) category in "America's Best Colleges," the publication's annual compilation of the nation's top colleges and universities.

Rowan is ranked 28th in the category, which includes universities that provide comprehensive undergraduate and master's programs. Rowan was tied for 28th last year.

Additionally, the University is listed fourth among the top public universities in the Best Universities-Master's (North Region) category by U.S. News.

Rowan's College of Engineering - which graduated its first class just eight years ago - is ranked 12th (tied) among the nation's best undergraduate engineering programs whose highest degree is a bachelor's or master's degree, a jump from last year's 16th place. In that category, the college's chemical engineering program is ranked third among specializations. The electrical and computer engineering program and the mechanical engineering program are both tied for 10th in their respective categories.

"It's gratifying to be recognized by a publication such as U.S. News & World Report, which evaluates so many of the aspects of higher education that we ourselves measure regularly," said Rowan President Dr. Donald Farish. "Many parents and students turn to ‘America's Best Colleges' for guidance in the college selection process, and while the publication should be only one tool to help select a college we are nonetheless happy to see Rowan once again so highly ranked."

The rankings will be published in the September 1 issue of U.S. News & World Report, which hits newsstands on Monday, August 25. The issue also is available online at www.usnews.com/colleges.

According to U.S. News, institutional rankings are based on measures of quality that include peer assessment from top academic officers, such as university presidents, provosts and deans of admission; graduation and retention rates; faculty resources; student selectivity; financial resources; and alumni giving. Peer assessments and graduation and retention rates account for 50 percent of the overall rating, according to U.S. News.

The engineering rankings are based solely on a peer survey of deans and senior faculty, according to U.S. News.

In recent years, Rowan has been recognized by other national organizations that evaluate colleges. Kaplan included the University in The Unofficial, Unbiased Insider's Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges, the Princeton Review named Rowan a "Best in the Northeast" institution, and Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine named the school among the 100 best values in public higher education.

Approximately 10,000 students attend Rowan, which offers 57 undergraduate majors in seven colleges, seven teacher certification programs, 38 master's degrees and specializations, 19 graduate certification programs and a doctoral program in educational leadership.