Rutgers Commencement Facts 2024
An estimated 17,977 graduates received degrees, certificates and diplomas from Rutgers this year (13,170 from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences; 3,131 from Rutgers University-Newark, and 1,676 from Rutgers University-Camden). They include approximately 11,084 baccalaureate degrees, 4,804 master’s degrees, 1,998 doctorates (including professional doctorates), 91 professional certificates. Since its founding in 1766, Rutgers has awarded 693,484 academic degrees (excluding the 2023-2024 estimated total).
Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Sunday, May 12, 10 a.m, SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey
Freeman Hrabowski III, a renowned educator, mathematician and president emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will be awarded an honorary doctor of letters degree when he addresses graduates at the 258th anniversary commencement of Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Rutgers Health on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
Honorary degrees will be awarded to Rutgers alumnus Jelani Cobb, dean of the Columbia Journalism School and an award-winning author, and William Best, chair of the Rutgers Board of Governors and senior vice president at PNC Bank.
This is Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s and Rutgers Health’s fourth commencement presided over by President Jonathan Holloway, Rutgers' 21st president.
Rutgers University-Newark, Wednesday, May 15, 9 a.m., Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Tariq Trotter – also known as Black Thought – founder of The Roots, who has won acclaim as a musician, author, actor and producer, will be the keynote speaker at Rutgers University-Newark’s commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 15, 2023, at the Prudential Center in Newark. Trotter will also receive an honorary doctor of fine arts degree during the ceremony.
Rutgers University–Camden and Graduate School Commencement, Monday, May 13, 4 p.m., Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden, New Jersey
Rutgers University-Camden will hold the Rutgers University–Camden and Graduate School Commencement on Monday, May 13, 2023, at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges will deliver the keynote address at the ceremony, where he will also receive an honorary doctor of letters degree.
General Information
Estimated numbers of graduates are from the Office of the University Registrar.
About Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 69,000 students and 23,600 faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Newark, Rutgers University-Camden, and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.
