UC Blue Ash celebrates five straight years of enrollment growth
College sets a new record for incoming students
The University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is welcoming its largest incoming class as it increases its student enrollment for the fifth consecutive year and helps the University of Cincinnati set yet another enrollment record.
The official numbers for the fall 2026 semester show that UC Blue Ash College grew its enrollment by 3.7% over last fall to reach a total of 5,074 students. This impressive achievement includes 1,823 first-year students which breaks the record the college set last year. Nearly 90% of the incoming first-year students are from Ohio and 60% are first-generation college students. The unofficial enrollment total actually tops 5,400 when you add the College Credit Plus high school students and online students that UC Blue Ash serves.
There are a record number of students in this year’s incoming class at UC Blue Ash.
UC Blue Ash is a regional college of the University of Cincinnati and is located on a scenic, 135-acre campus in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio. So, what is it about the college that attracts more students each year?
“Our sustained growth is due to our amazing faculty and staff who continue to build on our culture that always puts student success at the center of everything we do,” said UC Blue Ash Dean Robin Lightner, PhD. “We are committed to not only providing the rigorous academics and hands-on learning that prepare our students for their careers, but to also offering a wide range of resources and support staff that that help ensure our students have everything they need to stay on track and successfully pursue their goals.”
UC Blue Ash received national recognition in 2025 when it was named an Opportunity College in the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education.
That designation places the college among the best nationally at advancing student success. As there is more focus on the cost of a college education, UC Blue Ash is also well positioned with the value it provides by combining a highly-respected UC education and more than 50 academic programs with tuition that is just over $7,500 per year for the in-state rate.
New opportunities for learning
Siobain Knox (left) is a recent UC Blue Ash graduate and biology major who benefited from an increase in undergrad research opportunities for UCBA students. She is finishing her bachelor’s degree at UC Uptown with plans to go to medical school.
As the college serves more students, it’s adding new technology with the recently installed Anatomage table that provides life-size digital representations of human bodies, as well as several animals, giving users the ability to virtually dissect digital models by peeling back layers of skin and muscle and rotating the models using the interactive touch screen.
The Career Services Office is increasing internships and co-op placements by partnering with nearly 200 local companies and hosting popular career fairs each spring and fall on campus. The college is also offering more undergraduate research opportunities thanks in part to its Honors program. These experiences can be especially beneficial for students who are pursuing graduate degrees and preparing for a career in fields such as health care, science and psychology.
Enhancing the campus
Students walk on the UC Blue Ash campus early in the fall semester.
The UC Blue Ash campus looks better than ever thanks to recent updates that include the Muntz Hall Atrium that opened in Fall 2025 and added nearly 6,000 square feet to the flagship building. The atrium is designed for students and includes five study rooms. It also has some added color after a 25-feet high by 9-feet wide mosaic was installed just before the start of the fall semester. The impressive artwork was created by Kentucky-based artist Guy Kemper and is designed to represent growth.
On the other side of campus, students in the Veterinary Technology program are enjoying the new student lounge that was a key part of the recent renovations to the Veterinary Technology Building. The lounge provides seating for up to 30 people and gives students a much-needed space to study or relax between classes and learning in the lab. The project also includes a renovated office suite for faculty and staff and a new conference room.
Still keeping it personal
While five years of continued enrollment growth is a major achievement, college leaders are keeping the focus on what is best for students. There will always be the rigorous academics and hands-on learning opportunities that UC is known for, there will still be small classes with an average student to teacher ratio of 20-to-1, and students can continue to count on important resources like the academic support labs across campus that provide free tutoring and assistance. These are key components that will always be central to the UC Blue Ash mission.
Featured photo: The Bearcat helped welcome UC Blue Ash students to campus during the first week of the fall semester. All photos/UC Blue Ash.
About UC Blue Ash College
UC Blue Ash College is a regional college of the University of Cincinnati. It combines the resources and academic excellence of UC with low tuition, personal attention and a welcoming campus community that is nationally recognized for advancing student success. The college is located on a scenic 135-acre wooded campus in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio. To learn more, visit us online, call 513-558-9495, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.
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