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