Engineering jumps to 12th place in U.S. News & World Report's 'Best Colleges' issue

August 27, 2008

Rowan University's College of Engineering jumped to12th place among the nation's best undergraduate engineering programs whose highest degree is a bachelor's or master's degree in U.S. News & World Report's latest edition of "America's Best Colleges," the publication's annual compilation of the nation's top colleges and universities. The College — which graduated its first class just eight years ago — ranked 16th last year.

In the same category, among specializations, three of the College's programs ranked in the Top Ten in the nation. They are:

Chemical engineering program 3rd
Electrical and computer engineering 10th
Mechanical engineering 10th

"The rankings reflect our growing national reputation among undergraduate engineering institutions," said Dean of Engineering Dr. Dianne Dorland. "We present a ‘hands-on' engineering experience that is unique in the nation and encourage students to personally assess the programs offered in the College of Engineering."

Additionally, for the ninth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Rowan among the best institutions of higher learning in the nation, placing it in the top tier of the Best Universities-Master's (North Region). Rowan is ranked 28th in the category, which includes universities that provide comprehensive undergraduate and master's programs. The University is listed fourth among the top public universities in the Best Universities-Master's (North Region) category.

"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 hit newsstands on Monday, August 25. The issue also is available online at www.usnews.com/colleges.

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