Accounting at Rowan University

Rowan University's accounting program starts graduates slightly below the middle of the pack but makes up ground quickly—first-year earnings of $52,363 climb to $68,473 by year four, a 31% jump that outpaces typical career progression. That's the good news. The challenge is that among New Jersey's 23 accounting programs, Rowan ranks in just the 40th percentile, trailing in-state flagships like Rutgers and The College of New Jersey by nearly $15,000-$20,000 in early earnings.

The debt picture is reasonable at $24,489, yielding a manageable 0.47 ratio that allows graduates to handle payments while building their careers. The strong earnings trajectory suggests Rowan graduates are landing at firms where advancement happens—whether that's moving from staff accountant to senior positions or obtaining CPA credentials that unlock better compensation. By year four, they've nearly closed the gap with higher-ranked programs.

For New Jersey families, this comes down to price. If Rowan offers in-state tuition advantages over private competitors like Seton Hall, the program delivers solid value—you'll start a step behind but catch up within a few years. If you're paying comparable tuition to attend Rutgers, however, the $15,000 earnings gap at graduation matters, even with later growth.