How would you compare the three in terms of education, facilities and student satisfaction?
Rankings i saw from US news, and Forbes puts TCNJ substantially higher rank overall . Especially on academics and value. Plus with campus town opening this fall they will be a better social life as well.
Rowan opened something similar called Rowan Boulevard. Cool idea.
I think it depends on your major and what kind of school you would thrive in. I have a friend who’s kid is in Rowan engineering program. She raves about it, but isn’t thrilled with the other majors. Rutgers is for the very independent student who can deal with 70 people in a lab class or hundreds in a lecture hall. Lots of majors and options at Rutgers for the right person. go to one of the summer open houses and you’ll immediately know if you can handle it. TCNJ gets high ratings as a top liberal arts school. I have a friend who’s kid is there. It is small and rigorous, but he’s happy.
On another note, as a NJ resident I am disgusted with the amount of money our state schools charge. Perhaps that is why I have heard that NJ is one of the states that exports the highest number of students. My advice is that if you are thinking state tuition, you should also see if you can get merit scholarships from private schools. If you get a Presidential scholarship from a comparable private school (Rider or Drew or Monmouth, as examples) it will cost the same as a state school.
I’m in agreement with transitmom by & large. But I have my own rankings.
TCNJ is smaller. A bit more selective in most majors than Rowan. But it is still primarily a relatively small suburban commuter college with a bit wealthier clientele. Rutgers NB is a large major university. Very diverse. Rowan is in the middle - a 10,000-student school with a small school feel.
Rowan’s engineering school is 2nd to none in the state. And, unlike Rutgers NB, you can walk to classes and all over campus, and realistically graduate in 4 years. One thing that has stricken me about TCNJ is that the facades are beautiful, but the facilities inside aren’t all that.
At Rutgers, many classes are taught by assistants. Not as much professorial support for undergrads. Rowan’s professors are helpful & approachable. TCNJ’s, from what I’ve seen and heard, are in the middle.
Socially, I have seen TCNJ students visiting Rutgers and Rowan’s campuses on weekends, much more than vice versa. More going on. Rutgers, of course, has Division 1 sports. And frats. TCNJ & Rowan have frats, too, but they are more “club” schools. Rowan’s clubs and intermurals are more developed.
As transitmom said, no matter the ratings, what it comes down to is where your student feels they can best succeed. I say, rather than an Open House (TCNJ’s Open Houses usually make the best impression), visit Mondays through Thursdays to get a real feel of each school. Grab a bite to eat. Visit the libraries and the student centers. Grab the school papers. Talk to people. If you’re bold enough, ask a professor if you may sit quietly and observe a class, especially if your student has selected a major.
We’re fortunate that we have so many good choices here in NJ. Now, if Stockton were allowed to move to AC, we’d have it all covered.