University of Cincinnati

09/23/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/23/2025 06:05

UC co-op advances in rankings

UC co-op advances in rankings

U.S. News & World Report ranks UC No. 4 in nation for co-ops and internships

By Jac Kern Email JacEmail Jac 5135561823
2 minute read September 23, 2025 Share on facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print StoryLike

The University of Cincinnati's cooperative education program has climbed to the No. 4 spot in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Colleges Rankings.

U.S. News' latest recognition marks the seventh consecutive year UC has ranked in the Top 5 for co-ops and internships. Co-op at UC is up from No. 5 in the rankings last year.

"These rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, the exceptional talent of our students and the national strength of UC's co-op program," says Annie Straka, associate dean in UC's College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies. "No other institution approaches cooperative education quite like UC, and we are proud to see our model recognized on this stage."

DAAP grad student Tamara Nasr on co-op at prestigious firm Steven Holl Architects in New York City. Photo/provided

UC students earned over $94 million on co-ops and internships in the 2024-25 academic year, according to student-reported data. UC offers students paid career experiences which significantly offset the cost of tuition.

"As the pioneer of cooperative education, the University of Cincinnati changed the way the world learns," says UC President Neville G. Pinto. "Today, that same spirit of innovation drives the growth of UC's co-op model and deepens our promise to connect learning with opportunity, preparing thousands of Bearcats to fuel the talent needs of our economy and graduate with the real-world experience employers need."

UC co-op fast facts

  • Founded by UC civil engineering professor Herman Schneider at UC in 1906
  • 8,300-plus students from disciplines across the university participate
  • $11,220 average co-op salary per student per semester
  • 1,700-plus employer partners participate in co-op

More UC programs on the rise

Other UC programs also saw a jump in U.S. News rankings:

  • Undergraduate nursing: No. 40, up from No. 74
  • Undergraduate business: No. 88, up from No. 94
  • Undergraduate economics: No. 121, up from No. 143

Overall, the University of Cincinnati is ranked as a top public school, national university and performer on social mobility, among other categories.

Find full rankings at U.S. News & World Report.

Read more about co-op earnings at UC.

Your career is next

Through one of the nation's most robust, top-ranked co-op programs, UC students don't just learn about their future - they live it, alternating classroom study with real, career-shaping experience in industries around the world.

Students: Earn while you learn at UC.
Employers: Find your next hire.

Tags

  • Faculty Staff
  • Experience-based Learning
  • Student Experience
  • Rankings
  • College of Nursing
  • Lindner College of Business
  • Next Lives Here
  • College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies

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