Ohio ranked No. 1 for business by CNBC

In its new report, CNBC highlights Ohio’s nation-leading infrastructure, low cost of doing business and strong performance in economy, technology, innovation and access to capital. Together, those strengths are drawing new investment, new employers and new opportunities across the state.

As Ohio continues its rise, UC helps supply the talent, research and innovation that keep the state competitive.

CNBC ranks Ohio:

• No. 1 for infrastructure
• No. 1 for cost of doing business
• Top 10 for economy, technology and innovation, and access to capital

With more than 143 million people living within a day’s drive, abundant power and transportation links, and shovel-ready development sites, the state offers companies efficient access to markets at competitive costs.

UC sits at the center of this network. As a public research university in Cincinnati — one of Ohio’s major economic engines — UC:

• Educates thousands of students each year in business, engineering, health, IT, design and the arts
• Collaborates with regional employers who are expanding or relocating in the state
• Supports industry through applied research, innovation partnerships and entrepreneurship

When companies look to Ohio for growth, they also look to institutions like UC for the skilled workforce and discovery that make long-term investment possible.

CNBC notes that Ohio’s biggest future challenge is workforce, particularly the need for more skilled workers and higher educational attainment. The state estimates it will need hundreds of thousands of STEM workers in the coming decade.

UC’s cooperative education (co-op) and experiential learning programs directly address that need by embedding meaningful, paid work experiences into academic programs. Co-op connects students with Ohio employers in fields such as advanced manufacturing, data, engineering, finance, healthcare and technology. 

UC’s co-op program allows companies to evaluate potential hires on real projects, not just resumes. Ohio companies like Procter & Gamble, Kinetic Vision and Kaleidoscope Innovation are among UC’s co-op employers.

“Work-based learning opportunities like co-ops, internship or externship programs are a win-win for students, colleges and employers,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine during a visit to UC. “Many of these roles are paid, giving students the chance to earn money while also getting the real-world experience that will prepare them to excel as they launch their career.”

Through co-op, UC students build job-ready skills, professional networks and real-world experience before graduation. Many stay in Ohio after they graduate, contributing to the state’s talent pipeline and supporting the businesses that helped earn the No. 1 ranking.

CNBC ranks Ohio in the top tier for technology and innovation and access to capital. UC’s research and innovation ecosystem is a significant contributor, helping create the ideas, startups and partnerships that fuel economic growth. 

In fact, UC boosts the state of Ohio's economy by an estimated $22.7 billion annually. The university and its students support over 125,000 jobs, meaning one in every 12 jobs in the region is tied to UC.

UC supports Ohio’s innovation economy through:

• The 1819 Innovation Hub that connects researchers, students and companies on real-world challenges in the heart of the Cincinnati Innovation District
• Entrepreneurship and startup support that help new ventures launch and grow in the region
• Interdisciplinary research in areas such as health innovation, digital technology and advanced materials, aligning with sectors that drive the state’s industry

By turning research into practical solutions and new ventures, UC helps the state remain competitive in an increasingly innovation-driven landscape.

To maintain its top ranking, CNBC notes that Ohio must continue closing its skills gap and attracting and retaining talent. Statewide initiatives are investing in experiential learning, STEM education and workforce training — areas where UC is a natural partner.

UC’s contributions include career-focused academic programs aligned with Ohio’s key industry clusters; experiential learning across disciplines, not only in STEM fields; and multiple pathways for Ohioans — traditional students, working professionals and adult learners — to gain new skills and credentials

By combining strong academics, co-op and industry partnerships, UC helps ensure that companies locating and expanding in Ohio can find the talent they need—now and in the future.

For prospective students and families, Ohio’s No. 1 ranking and UC’s role in it reflect:

• a state recognized nationally as a prime location for careers and opportunity
• a university experience that connects directly to real employers and real jobs
• a region where education, business and government work together to build a strong economy

For employers, UC offers a direct link to Ohio’s next generation of talent and a partner in research, innovation and workforce development.

As CNBC’s ranking confirms, Ohio is a top destination for business. Through cooperative education, research and close collaboration with partners across the state, the University of Cincinnati is helping lead that momentum, turning Ohio’s business advantages into long-term opportunity for students, employers and communities.

Read the full CNBC article.