Forbes highlights UC co-op as a model for corporate America
In the article, “Corporate America Is Rewriting Higher Ed’s Talent Contract,” Senior Contributor and Senior Advisor at Harvard University Jason Wingard argues that the old, trust-based relationship between higher education and employers is being replaced by a new, evidence-driven “talent compact.” Corporate America, policymakers and families are all asking the same core question: Does education reliably lead to skills, opportunity and value?
As Wingard surveys emerging models that answer that question with proof, he highlights universities with established co-op and work-integrated learning programs, specifically naming the University of Cincinnati as examples of institutions that are “making the classroom-to-career transition more explicit.”
UC co-op fast facts
- $94 million-plus in collective self-reported earnings
- 8,300-plus students from disciplines across the university participate
- $11,220 average co-op salary per student per semester
- 1,700-plus employer partners participate in co-op
- Top 5 program in the nation (U.S. News & World Report)
Learn more about cooperative education (co-op) at UC.
That national recognition aligns directly with UC’s long-standing reputation as a pioneer in cooperative education. UC integrates paid, full-time co-op experiences into academic programs across disciplines, giving students multiple terms of real-world work before graduation. By the time they earn their degrees, many UC students have already held several professional roles, built networks and demonstrated value to employers on real projects. UC students co-op with employers like LEGO, TikTok and NBA teams.
For employers, this provides evidence that goes beyond a transcript. UC’s co-op students bring:
- Documented, on-the-job experience
- Proven speed to productivity
- Exposure to AI-enabled tools, cross-functional teamwork and problem-solving in real settings
For students and families, co-op helps answer the ROI question Wingard describes. UC’s model connects tuition, learning and career outcomes by showing how classroom knowledge turns into experience, earnings potential and career clarity while students are still enrolled.
The Forbes mention also underscores UC’s approach to employer partnership. Rather than treating companies only as end consumers of talent, UC engages employers as collaborators, helping to shape roles, expectations and, in many cases, longer-term hiring pathways.
Wingard concludes that the future belongs to institutions that can make learning, work and value visible. By calling out the University of Cincinnati in this national conversation, Forbes positions UC’s co-op model as a blueprint for how higher education can both defend its mission and prove its value to students, employers and the public.
UC co-op program: Frequently Asked Questions
What is co-op at the University of Cincinnati?
UC defines cooperative education, or co-op, as meaningful, career-oriented, compensated workplace experiences. Co-op is a structured program where students complete academic coursework and get a paid job in their field of study, graduating with both a degree and real-world professional experience.
Find more info: What is co-op in college? How cooperative education works
Are UC co-op positions paid?
Many UC co‑ops are paid, full‑time roles. Students often use co‑op earnings to help cover tuition and living expenses, which can reduce the need for loans and improve the overall return on investment of their degree.
Learn more: How cooperative education and paid experience change the ROI equation
Which majors offer co-op, and where do UC students work?
Co‑op is deeply integrated into programs in engineering, design, information technology, business, arts, sciences and more, with support from the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies. UC is committed to offering all students career-building, real-world experiences related to their field.
UC students co‑op in Cincinnati, across Ohio, throughout the U.S. and abroad with employers ranging from startups, design studios and nonprofits to hospitals, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
How does co-op help UC students after graduation?
By graduation, many Bearcats have up to 1.5 years of career‑related experience, strong resumes and professional networks. A significant number receive full‑time job offers from their co‑op employers, which is why the University of Cincinnati is widely recognized as the global founder of cooperative education and a national leader in co‑ops and internships.
Your career is next
Through one of the nation’s most robust co-op programs, UC students don’t just learn about their future — they live it, alternating classroom study with real, career-shaping experience in industries around the world.
Students: Earn while you learn at UC.
Employers: Find your next hire.
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