University of Cincinnati ranked fourth in the country for co-op education program

The co-op education program at University of Cincinnati has frequently been among the top five colleges and universities in the United States in the annual Best Colleges guide published by U.S. News & World Report. This year, the university is also ranked number 148 in the nation of top-tier universities. In a news release from UC about the rankings, UC explains that it was the founder of cooperative education, which pairs classroom education with paying jobs and internships for students.

According to UC, students earn $58 million every year working for employers around the world. Students can alternate between academic and professional semesters, giving them an advantage upon graduation of having paid experience in their field. Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and Dean of the Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education, Gigi Escoe, explained, "Not only do we want our students to be ready for their first job, we want them to have the skills they need to build robust and dynamic careers spanning the course of their lives."

"This is why we've made experience-based learning and career education core components of the UC model for all students. We are intently focused on delivering innovative, future-focused curriculum and programming," Escoe continued. "We prepare students to work in traditional, remote, and hybrid environments while attending to ideation, team building, on-going professional development, networking and culture. In the end, it's all about ensuring students are set up for long-term, lifelong success."

The co-op education program attracts students from around the world. Second-year student Nachiket Dighe who studies computer science said, "Getting co-op experience before graduation is one of the best things about the university."

Other notable rankings awarded to UC by U.S. News & World Report include 143rd in the category of Best Value Schools and 86th in Best Colleges for Veterans.