University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus at a Glance
The University of Cincinnati is a public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1819 and had an enrollment of over 53,000 students in 2024, making it the second-largest university in Ohio. It is part of the University System of Ohio. The university's primary uptown campus and medical campus are located in the Heights and Corryville neighborhoods, with branch campuses located in Batavia and Blue Ash, Ohio.
1819
207 years old
$1.8B
$1.77 billion (2025)
53,682
42,566 undergrad · 11,116 grad
3,874
202 acres
Identity
Is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Worth It?
At a value score of 39/100, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,810 — 2% above average — while paying $25,648/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 73% graduation rate means roughly 27% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How University of Cincinnati-Main Campus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #47 of 58 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Fullerton | 100 | $6,555 | $62,951 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #47 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | 39 | $25,648 | $54,810 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in OH.
Best Programs at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
The highest-earning program at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is Chemical Engineering at $67,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $24,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Chemical Engineering graduate from University of Cincinnati-Main Campus earns $67,300, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $24,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Chemical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $25,914 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $25,648/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $67,300 | $67,300 | $27,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $67,100 | $67,100 | $22,668 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $66,600 | $66,600 | $27,995 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $64,700 | $64,700 | $25,000 |
| Engineering, General | $62,400 | $62,400 | $28,136 |
| Civil Engineering | $61,900 | $61,900 | $24,758 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $60,500 | $60,500 | $22,375 |
| Information Science/Studies | $58,400 | $58,400 | $26,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $57,700 | $57,700 | $25,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,200 | $56,200 | $21,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $55,400 | $55,400 | $25,654 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,100 | $55,100 | $22,250 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $54,900 | $54,900 | $27,311 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $53,700 | $53,700 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,200 | $49,200 | $24,375 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,600 | $47,600 | $25,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $45,100 | $45,100 | $24,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $44,300 | $44,300 | $26,692 |
| Marketing | $42,300 | $42,300 | $23,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $41,000 | $41,000 | $26,000 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $35,100 | $35,100 | $23,883 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,500 | $34,500 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,500 |
| Psychology, General | $32,700 | $32,700 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,400 | $32,400 | $23,000 |
| Biology, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $24,908 |
| Social Work | $32,000 | $32,000 | $25,648 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $29,500 | $29,500 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $29,200 | $29,200 | $24,999 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $28,300 | $28,300 | $20,542 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,100 | $28,100 | $23,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,500 | $24,500 | $20,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,200 | $24,200 | $25,914 |
Similar Colleges in OH
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Cincinnati, OH
- Student Body
- 29,882 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $25,648
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,810
- Median Student Debt
- $21,250