University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Graduation Rate
- 73% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,810 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $25,648 D
- 50% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 85% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $12.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,167,410.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Cincinnati Matters
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a public research university in Cincinnati, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 29,882
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose University of Cincinnati
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 85% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1160–1370. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $25,648 a year after grants and scholarships — 50% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,810 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $21,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.48 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 30,000 students, the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a vibrant place for those looking to study fields like Business, Health Professions, Engineering, and Computer Science. The acceptance rate of 85% means that many students can find a home here, particularly those who are keen on practical education and real-world experience. This school emphasizes hands-on learning, especially in its top programs, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce or further studies.
After graduation, students can expect a solid earning potential, with a median salary of $54,810 a decade after finishing their degrees. This figure indicates that many graduates find stable careers that allow them to thrive. The affordability aspect also plays a role; with a net price of $25,648 after aid, students can manage their education without overwhelming financial strain. This balance is crucial for many, especially those looking to move up in their careers.
In terms of financial outcomes, graduating with a median debt of $21,250 is manageable for many students, particularly if they are entering fields with strong job prospects. Those who thrive here often engage fully with available resources and support systems, leveraging their education to make the most of their opportunities. It’s a place where ambition meets opportunity, and students can look forward to a bright future.
Rankings
- #16 Best Engineering Colleges in Ohio
- #22 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Ohio
- #22 Best Online Education Programs in Ohio
- #23 Best Communications Colleges in Ohio
- #25 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Ohio
- #27 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Ohio
- #27 Best Online Nursing Programs in Ohio
- #29 Best Online Business Programs in Ohio
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Cincinnati-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Cincinnati, Ohio, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,282. The graduation rate is roughly 73%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Retention Rate
- 85%
- SAT Average
- 1282
- ACT Midpoint
- 27
- SAT Range
- 1160–1370
- ACT Range
- 24–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 57%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,468
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.51
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 29,025
- Admitted
- 25,024
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Cincinnati-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is $29,310, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,648. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,974 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,976
- Out-of-State
- $29,310
- Avg Net Price
- $25,648
- Median Debt
- $21,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 37%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,974
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $18,092
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,492
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,616
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Cincinnati-Main Campus earn a median of $54,810, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,310
- 8 Years
- $52,188
- 10 Years
- $54,810
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 67%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,669)
- 37%
- 100% (1,669)
- 37%
- 100% (1,669)
- 37%
- 100% (1,669)
- 37%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $25,648/year ($102,592 total). Graduates earn $54,810 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,270,002 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,167,410 (12.4× your investment). The median debt is $21,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 73% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $102,592
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,270,002
- Net Return
- $1,167,410
- ROI Multiple
- 12.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $25,648
- Median Debt
- $21,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields University of Cincinnati-Main Campus awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 17%
- Health Professions 15%
- Engineering 11%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Communications 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5%
- Education 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 5%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Cincinnati-Main Campus? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Cincinnati, Ohio, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,282. The graduation rate is roughly 73%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Cincinnati-Main Campus? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is $29,310, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $25,648. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,974 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,250 in federal student loans.
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Cincinnati-Main Campus earn a median of $54,810, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Cincinnati-Main Campus.
- The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · Close peer74% grad $59,221 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ohio University-Main CampusAthens, OH · Close peer66% grad $52,581 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR · Close peer70% grad $58,191 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Close peer67% grad $60,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO · Close peer75% grad $69,738 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Close peer75% grad $63,386 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus. Its economic connectedness score is 1.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note