Undergraduate Co-op Fee Adjustment
The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies is sharing an important update with faculty, staff, and students regarding the undergraduate co-op fee.
Undergraduate students enrolled in mandatory co-op courses will see a fee increase beginning Fall 2026. This is the first adjustment to the co-op fee since 2012. The fee supports the administration, career services, employer relations, and quality assurance that make UC’s co-op experience possible. Students pay this reduced co-op fee—rather than full tuition—while on co-op in order to maintain full-time status for financial aid and insurance purposes.
Access additional details below.
Effective Fall 2026, the undergraduate co-op fee will increase from $465 to $600 per co-op term. This change applies to all undergraduate students enrolled in mandatory co-op courses.
This adjustment applies to students enrolled in mandatory co-op courses.
The undergraduate co-op fee remained unchanged from 2012 until this year, while the cost of delivering a high-quality co-op program has risen steadily. The increase closes that long-standing gap so we can continue providing the level of support, employer partnerships, and professional preparation that students and industry partners expect. It also helps us scale the program to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive workforce.
Our commitment is unchanged: to continuously strengthen the co-op experience and remain the premier workforce partner for industry.
We recognize this is a significant change and do not take such decisions lightly. While the fee increase was requested through the appropriate channels, it was implemented before we were able to notify students. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or difficulty this caused and are committed to clearer, more timely communication going forward.
Details about special course fees are available on the Office of the Bursar website.
Information about fees not included in the Cincinnati Tuition Guarantee can also be found on the Bursar's site.
We remain fully committed to supporting our students through meaningful co-op experiences and to working closely with faculty and partners to keep this signature UC program strong. Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership.
Need Guidance on Your Co-op?
Students in mandatory co-op programs work one-on-one with a faculty co-op advisor. Find your advisor and additional resources here.