The Area: Located among rolling hills and along the Ohio River in the southwestern part of the state, Cincinnati is roughly four hours from Cleveland and an hour and a half from the capital city of Columbus.

The City: Students at the University of Cincinnati (or UC, as it is known) are less than two miles from downtown Cincinnati, a vibrant city of more than 300,000, with a flourishing arts and cultural center, along with an Innovation District. The riverfront is a hub of activity, with shopping, festivals, and restaurants. A free shuttle system runs 14 routes to nearby points of interest for students, so engagement with the broader community is strong. Spirit abounds, with four professional sports teams (from baseball to soccer) for students and area residents to cheer for. Named one of the best cities for recent graduates and a top city for start-ups, Cincinnati offers an accessible and welcoming urban lifestyle for students looking for lots to do beyond the campus gates.

The Campus/Students: A mix of architectural styles from classical to modern (no surprise given the school's highly-rated architecture and design programs), the main campus (known as Uptown campus) is visually interesting and beautiful, designed to be pedestrian-friendly. There is plenty of green space on the compact 253-acre campus, and students can find plenty of quiet spaces, even with 30,000 fellow classmates.

Students here are engaged and career driven, drawn to Cincinnati's co-op programs and its focus on experiential learning. Currently, 20% of students hail from outside of Ohio, with another 4% international; nearly 30% of students in the most recent class identify as persons of color (POC).

The Bearcats are just as engaged outside the classroom. Students have free tickets to all athletic events except football and men's basketball, which draw huge, boisterous crowds (the football stadium was ranked as the 3rd loudest during games).

With a renowned music conservatory, UC students put on more than 1,000 music and theater performances each year. The fabulous (and huge, at 212k sq. feet) rec center has classes, suspended running tracks, swimming pools, and a climbing wall–and students are allowed to use the football stadium for personal recreation when it's not in use.

Academics: UC prides itself on being the first college in the nation to offer co-op education–periods of time where students leave the classroom to engage in paid work opportunities in Cincinnati and beyond. Generally, students spend five years at UC, taking classes full time the first and final years, with co-op alternating semesters throughout the other years. While not required for all majors, all students are eligible and encouraged to participate in co-op, and 100% of students engage in experiential learning of some kind.

While students can apply undecided (there is a one-year exploratory program), and admission is overall accessible, gaining direct entry into the College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and the College of Nursing are exceptionally competitive and require additional application elements (which may include portfolios, test scores, audition pre-screens, earlier deadline, etc.).

Note: Direct admission for Engineering or Business is not required, and students can be part of Exploratory Studies and still move into those majors. If not admitted to one of the more competitive programs, otherwise admissible students will be offered Exploratory Studies as a second choice major.

The Medical, Nursing, Allied Health, and Pharmacy colleges are all located at the nearby East Campus. The strong science and pre-health programs benefit from a local children's hospital and the area's only Level 1 Trauma Center (at the UC Medical Center).

With a focus on student outcomes, research, and real-world learning, UC ensures that every student graduates with a resume and career plan.

Cost: UC offers a tuition guarantee, so tuition and fees are locked in for four or five years (depending on whether your program requires a co-op). The cost of attendance (as of Spring 2024) for Ohio residents is $31,734 and $47,068 for non-residents. 39% of students receive merit awards, averaging approximately $6,000 per year. Co-op earnings can potentially offset costs, as well.

UC may be a good fit for students seeking a college with serious career prep in an urban-adjacent setting without sacrificing school spirit and big sports.

Visit University of Cincinnati's website to learn more and see if it's a good fit for you.