UC welcomes record-breaking student body

By Cedric Ricks
Public Information Officer
University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati anticipated record enrollment as classes began Monday, Aug. 26, with a projected 52,000 students — a 2.1% increase over last year.

Growth continues bolstered by the university’s strategy to attract more online learners, as well as seeing increases in the number of transfer and first-generation students and enrollment on UC’s regional campuses at Blue Ash and Clermont.

“Students are continuing to see UC as the smart choice because of our strong commitment to academic excellence, access and inclusion and affordability,” explains Jack Miner, vice provost of enrollment management. “We are leaning into our partnerships with area high schools to make the pathway to higher education a reality.”

The numbers:

• Online student enrollment increased 11% to 9,300 students.
• New transfer student enrollment increased 6% to 2,000 students.
• UC Clermont projected enrollment is up 16% with more than 3,000 total students.
• UC Blue Ash projected enrollment is up 6.5% with 4,500 total students.
• First-year student enrollment at the university will dip slightly by 1.8% with 8,700 students expected this fall.
• Students of color will make up 28% of the total UC student body.
• There’s an 11% increase in first-generation students for the whole student body.

“UC’s focus overall this year has been to be a destination for students who want to complete their degree, especially those working adults who are going back to school after some years away,” said Miner. “For example, our average age for new transfer students is 27 years old and 30 years old for those starting online.”

UC is seeing major growth in its College Credit Plus program, established to enhance high school students’ college readiness by enabling students to take college-level courses before graduating high school. The move is designed to reduce tuition costs to make college more affordable, allowing students to use those credits at UC or another institution of higher learning if they choose.

Enrollment in the College Credit Plus program has jumped to over 3,000 students, compared to 2,300 students last fall. 

“We certainly want those students to become full-time Bearcats after high school graduation, but we are excited to see these young leaders obtain a higher ed degree regardless of where they go at the end of the day,” said Miner. 

Also, the university recently announced new cooperative education, or co-op, student earning numbers for the 2023-2024 academic year. 

The numbers:

• 8,300 co-op students;
• Collective self-reported earnings of $88.8 million;
• Nearly $10,700 per student, per semester: yearly tuition at UC’s main campus is roughly $13,976, so co-op experiences could, in theory, cover tuition costs. 
• 18% increase in wages from the last reported co-op data;
• UC founded the co-op model in 1906;
• Top 5 program in the country (U.S. News & World Report);
• Definition of co-op: We give students a chance to “earn while they learn,” spending one semester studying on campus and the next semester working in their professional field, earning cash while they’re learning.

“Co-ops are transformative for our students who apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world experiences,” said UC President Neville Pinto. “As an added bonus, earning while learning goes a long way toward easing the financial burden on students and families.