Off-Campus Housing Near Rowan University
About Off-Campus Housing Near Rowan University
Rowan University is a public research university in Glassboro, New Jersey, about 20 miles south of Philadelphia in Gloucester County. Founded in 1923, the university serves roughly 19,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, business, health sciences, and the arts. The campus has been reshaped by the Rowan Boulevard mixed-use corridor, which added restaurants, apartments, and retail adjacent to the main quad. Freshmen are typically required to live on campus, while upperclassmen seek housing in Glassboro and nearby Sewell and Washington Township. The local rental market is competitive, with many leases signed by January for the following fall semester.
Rowan University Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
Rowan University requires all first-year students to live in on-campus residence halls for their first year. Incoming freshmen must submit a housing application and are assigned to one of several residential communities on or adjacent to the main campus in Glassboro. Exceptions are granted on a limited basis for students who live within a defined commuting distance from campus or who have documented medical or personal circumstances.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Students who have completed their freshman year are generally eligible to live off campus, provided they are in good academic and judicial standing with the university. Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students have a wide range of off-campus options in Glassboro and neighboring communities including Sewell, Washington Township, and Pitman. Many upperclassmen begin exploring off-campus housing options during the fall semester of the preceding year to secure the best units.
Lease Timing
The Glassboro rental market moves quickly because demand from Rowan students is high relative to available supply, especially for well-maintained apartments and houses close to campus. Landlords typically begin advertising units for the following academic year as early as October or November, and the best properties are often leased by January or February. Students who wait until spring may find limited availability and higher prices, so starting the search in early fall of the preceding academic year is strongly recommended.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Rowan University before signing a lease.
When to Start Looking for Housing Near Rowan University
Early Searchers
Students who begin looking for off-campus housing in October or November of the preceding year have the widest selection of properties and can secure the best locations at the most favorable prices. Landlords and property managers in Glassboro are well aware of student demand and often list available units for the following August as soon as a current lease is signed. Getting pre-approved or gathering references early also speeds up the application process and gives students a competitive edge over other applicants.
Peak Demand Window
The busiest leasing period in Glassboro runs from December through February, when the majority of Rowan students are actively touring apartments and signing leases for the following academic year. During this window, popular units near campus and along Rowan Boulevard fill rapidly, sometimes within days of being listed. Students searching during this period should be prepared to tour quickly, make decisions promptly, and have a deposit ready to hold a unit.
Last-Minute Options
Students who begin searching in March or later will find a smaller pool of available units, and many of the most desirable properties will already be committed for the next lease term. However, last-minute options do exist - some landlords list units late due to tenant turnover or cancellations, and online platforms like Zillow, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace sometimes surface new listings close to the academic year. Students in this situation should also check with Rowan's off-campus housing resource board and be flexible about location or roommate arrangements.
Neighborhoods Near Rowan University
Near Campus and Rowan Boulevard
The streets around the main quad and the Rowan Boulevard corridor, most popular for walkability and proximity to dining and transit.
Borough of Glassboro
A mix of rental houses, duplexes, and apartment complexes at varying price points, many within easy walking or biking distance of class.
Sewell, Turnersville, and Washington Township
Surrounding communities with more space or lower rents for students who have a car.
Rowan Boulevard Development
Newer apartment-style housing with modern amenities within steps of campus, typically at premium rents.
Frequently Asked Questions: Off-Campus Housing Near Rowan University
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, Rowan University requires all incoming first-year students to live in on-campus residence halls during their freshman year. Limited exceptions are available for students who commute from a family home within a short distance of campus or who have documented qualifying circumstances.
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