By Katie Pence, Director, Media Relations, University of Cincinnati
For well over a century, University of Cincinnati students have taken their classroom learning into the workplace, earning real-world pay while gaining valuable professional experience through cooperative education (co-op).
In 2024-25, students participating in paid co‑op opportunities earned a collective $94,192,050, according to self‑reported data.
That’s a 6% increase over last year’s total reported wages.
The university facilitated 8,395 co-op placements with 1,757 employers.
On average, co-ops earned $11,220 per student per semester — an amount that significantly offsets the cost of tuition. That’s nearly a 5% increase in average co-op salaries.
UC President Neville G. Pinto notes how the institution’s early leadership in cooperative education continues to shape its forward-thinking approach.
“As the pioneer of cooperative education, the University of Cincinnati changed the way the world learns,” says President 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.”
While many institutions are rethinking how to prepare students for an uncertain job market, UC is doubling down on a time-tested strategy — and seeing results.
“UC is bucking national trends with growth in both co-op placements and wages,” says Annie Straka, associate dean in UC’s College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies. “The strong earnings and high number of paid opportunities highlight the talent and persistence of our students.”
“What makes UC distinctive is that career readiness is built directly into the curriculum through our co-op model,” Straka explains. UC faculty and staff work closely with students to prepare them to compete and succeed in the global marketplace.
“Our students ultimately own their success,” she says. “Their adaptability and drive are why industry partners consistently turn to UC for talent.”
At a time when higher education faces criticism, UC’s approach offers a powerful response, Straka says. “We’re showing that a UC degree is not only relevant but also future-focused — preparing graduates to be resilient, lifelong learners in any environment.”