Forbes highlights UC’s co-op program as institutional model

UC set the model for co-op, in which students alternate semesters studying on campus with those spent working in paid, professional roles. Co-op was invented at UC more than a century ago and the university’s program is ranked Top 5 in the country.

In a recent article, Forbes contributor Brandon Busteed shares steps college and university leaders can take to bolster confidence in higher education.

“In order to make higher education more relevant in the eyes of the American public,” Busteed writes, “colleges should ensure that the education they deliver is relevant for students seeking a good job: the majority of students identify work outcomes as their primary reason to attend.”

In addition to UC’s co-op program, the Bearcat Promise ensures UC students graduate with a degree in one hand and a strong career plan in the other.

One tip Busteed shares: “Establish an office or role dedicated to building local/regional employer partnerships to create more internship programs and long-term projects for students,” citing UC as an institution that has “done this for a century, proving it can be done effectively and at scale.”

UC has an entire college devoted to just that. 

Last year, UC introduced the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) to better serve all students, including adult learners, as well as industry partners. As a dedicated college, CCPS continues to collaborate with industry and collegiate partners to offer co-op and experiential learning opportunities for students, while expanding its mission to serve adult learners pursuing career advancement. The college also serves co-op employer partners who are interested in advancing their existing workforce.

Students who participate in UC’s co-op program get meaningful hands-on opportunities, earning while they’re learning. In 2024-25, UC students earned $88.8 million collectively through paid co-op experiences. The self-reported data shows more than 8,300 students participated in co-op in the last academic year.

That averages to nearly $10,700 per student per semester.

It’s an 18% increase in wages from the last reported co-op data. Read more.

Featured image at top of co-op student working at Kinetic Visions. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand