"We know that tuition and fees are increasing." (Graphics Editor Alexander Cruz)
Every year, Rowan University continues to grow, whether it be in accolades, in research, or in student enrollment. As a matter of fact, last year Rowan welcomed its largest incoming class of 5,300 students.
But student enrollment isn’t the only number at Rowan that’s growing. Every year, the cost of tuition increases in small increments. Including additional fees, the total amount of money a full-time, in-state undergraduate student had to pay for the fall 2025 semester was $8,714, whereas an out-of-state student had to pay $14,126. For the fall 2024 semester, the respective numbers were $8,287 and $13,466. Going back even further, the respective numbers for the fall 2015 semester were $6,432 and $10,489.
And that doesn’t include other expenses such as food, course materials, and most importantly, housing. The housing rate at Rowan has been increasing at an average of 3% yearly, which gets approved by the Board of Trustees. Currently, for a single semester in the 2025-2026 school year, the cheapest housing rate that is offered is a double occupancy room in a traditional residence hall for $4,940.
In a university chock full of students who come from all different walks of life, the cost of living on campus is becoming more and more expensive is turning into a very major concern. And for some students in particular, specifically those who have to factor in extra expenses like room and board, it can be frustrating. Getting accepted into the university is one challenge; being able to afford to attend is another, more prominent one.
Shakir Boyce, a sophomore marketing major, is among the students who have had to come up with the money for both tuition and housing. Though he was first drawn to Rowan by its affordability, he’s since changed his outlook, especially as he now has to go about the school year without a meal plan and has to worry about acquiring and making food for himself regularly.
“I’m a student who’s here solely through merit scholarships. When I first came to Rowan, I literally had like $50 in my bank account,” said Boyce. “The whole reason I came to Rowan in the first place was just because of how cheap it was and how much tuition aid they offered me. And so for that possible boon, you know, to be slowly pulling away each year, especially as my classes get more difficult, having to worry about the costs rising along with that is really bad.”
Similarly, Cassandra Ruiz, a sophomore studio art major, commutes to Rowan for class daily, so while she doesn’t have to worry about housing expenses, the university’s level of affordability still stays on her mind constantly.
“I find it pretty concerning that a university, with a clear increase in student population and acceptance rates, can’t even guarantee its resident students a dorm before the first day of classes,” said Ruiz. “There is a lot this overall housing market can improve on, but the university can definitely try to seek better ways to provide their students with affordable housing for the cost that students pay into.”
So why exactly is it becoming more expensive to attend Rowan University?
According to Kevin Koett, the vice chancellor for student life and dean of students, there are several different parts of the equation that determine how much tuition and housing rates go up every year. Among the most prominent include state appropriations, the cost of running facilities around campus, energy costs, and the cost associated with faculty and staff salaries based on their contracts.
“There are a number of pieces that go into it, just like your own personal expenses, right? So, the price of electricity has gone up, the price of energy has gone up, gas. There’s a natural element of utilities and services to run the buildings increases,” said Koett. “I’ve never seen a time where there hasn’t been some level of an increase at an institution for that very reason, the cost of living goes up.”
Koett also stressed that students need not worry too much about rising costs at Rowan, as it is something that will occur at any university over time, though higher ups at Rowan are indeed monitoring students’ feelings and opinions about the matter. With housing, Koett shared that Rowan would be conducting a housing study, looking to find out how the university could get more cost-effective housing. Additionally, in regards to tuition increasing, the amount of financial aid that can be offered to students goes up simultaneously, so students still have opportunities to lower their cost of attendance.
“Sometimes the numbers aren’t as skewed as we think. Yes, if you’re living in a house with 20 other people, you might be paying $400 or $500 a month, but you’re living with 20 other people,” said Koett. “We know that tuition and fees are increasing a little bit because of all the things we talked about. Can we find a couple of models that are a little bit more cost-effective?”
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