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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Admission at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is close to open (85.3%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $54,810 median earnings below before the application.
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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus sits in Cincinnati proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. International students are a visible presence here — 5.2% of undergraduates come from outside the U.S.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Engineering, where graduates median $102,273 four years out. 18.8% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 29,882 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 85.4% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1150 and 1360 — above the OH middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus received 33,165 applications and admitted 29,077 (87.7%), with 6,922 enrolling.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1150–1360 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 580 | 620 | 670 |
| SAT Math | 570 | 630 | 690 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 27 | 29 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How University of Cincinnati-Main Campus compares
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Ohio median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 85.3% | 76.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $13,976 | $29,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $54,810 | $52,356 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors University of Cincinnati-Main Campus: $54,810 median at year ten, versus $52,356 across Ohio institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $13,976 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $29,310. For non-residents, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's $29,310 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is a big school: 29,882 undergraduates at last count.
75% of University of Cincinnati-Main Campus students finish a bachelor's within six years — 20.1 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $13,976 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $102,273 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $100,975 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $98,364 |
| Chemical Engineering | $97,220 |
| Information Science/Studies | $93,694 |
| Construction Engineering | $92,984 |
| Architectural Engineering | $92,687 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $90,897 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $89,915 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,653 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $88,511 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $86,926 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,331 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $85,551 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $83,501 |
| Insurance | $81,489 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $79,742 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $77,549 |
| Mathematics | $76,667 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $75,921 |
| Economics | $75,443 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $75,398 |
| International Business | $74,145 |
| Marketing | $72,881 |
| Chemistry | $72,302 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $71,605 |
| Legal Support Services | $67,713 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $66,550 |
| Architecture | $65,449 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $61,590 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | $60,699 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $60,441 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $60,001 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $59,703 |
| History | $59,290 |
| Political Science and Government | $58,863 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $58,004 |
| Biology, General | $57,443 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $57,228 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,818 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $55,075 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $54,599 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,231 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $54,000 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $52,735 |
| Public Health | $51,990 |
| Sociology | $50,165 |
| Social Work | $49,465 |
| Psychology, General | $48,406 |
| Journalism | $48,331 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $48,124 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,019 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,483 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $43,570 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $40,360 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,025 |
Median earnings for these 56 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $54,810 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 41 additional University of Cincinnati-Main Campus programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1150–1360 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 85.3% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's acceptance rate?
87.7% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 29,077 admitted from 33,165 applicants.
How much does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus cost?
In-state tuition is $13,976; out-of-state students pay $29,310. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $54,810 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Ohio
- Central State University — 98.6% admitted
- Cleveland State University — 91.3% admitted
- University of Akron Wayne College — 89.9% admitted
- Herzing University-Akron — 94.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.