Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Cincinnati vary significantly by field of study, with engineering and business programs typically delivering stronger earnings than liberal arts and social science fields. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige measures.
Analyzing 61 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for national rankings, earnings performance, and student enrollment across Cincinnati's academic portfolio.
#25 nationally
$54K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by median earnings, national and state rankings, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Cincinnati-Main Campus.
Engineering programs deliver Cincinnati's strongest earnings outcomes, with Electrical and Electronics Engineering leading at $85,592 median earnings and Mechanical Engineering following at $81,244. Chemical Engineering produces $82,349 with lower debt levels.
Artificial Intelligence shows promise at $78,120 though with a smaller cohort. These programs excel for students prioritizing high earnings potential and willing to manage moderate debt levels for long-term career advancement.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #25 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation earnings and debt outcomes from federal College Scorecard data, measuring actual labor market results rather than institutional reputation or prestige measures. Different programs at the same institution produce varied outcomes because graduates enter distinct career fields with different earning potential, industry demands, and advancement trajectories. These rankings evaluate programs based on graduate financial success, debt management, and return on investment using cohorts of at least 100 graduates to ensure statistical reliability. Earnings reflect outcomes for bachelor's degree recipients who enter the workforce rather than immediately pursuing graduate study, providing clear indicators of program effectiveness in preparing students for career success and financial stability.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $85,695★ |
| $18,812 |
| 66 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #105 | $85,592 | $30,624 | 132 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #94 | $83,489 | $28,631 | 46 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #86 | $82,349 | $18,250 | 106 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #112 | $81,244 | $24,124 | 238 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #36 | $80,934 | $19,000 | 48 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #77 | $80,489 | — | 43 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #112 | $78,120 | $26,700 | 139 |
| Architectural Engineering. | #12 | $72,691 | — | 27 |
| Construction Engineering. | #6 | $71,751 | $25,484 | 54 |
| Engineering Design.Small sample | #24 | $62,458 | — | 16 |
Business programs show exceptional performance with Business Administration and Management ranking #43 nationally and producing $77,827 median earnings from 193 graduates. Digital Marketing (#65 nationally, $56,133 earnings) and Banking and Financial Support Services ($68,220 earnings) demonstrate strong market demand.
Accounting Technology provides solid outcomes at $65,403. These programs suit students seeking practical career preparation with strong employment prospects across diverse industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #41 | $77,827★ | $34,308 | 193 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #64 | $68,220 | $24,616 | 239 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #118 | $65,403 | $28,170 | 179 |
| Digital Marketing. | #62 | $56,133 | $22,308 | 434 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | #39 | $50,450 | $20,432 | 86 |
| International Business. | #72 | $26,353 | $14,096 | 66 |
Health programs at Cincinnati demonstrate mixed outcomes with Adult Health Nurse/Nursing producing strong earnings of $64,699 despite ranking #198 nationally. Blood Bank Technology Specialist achieves exceptional performance with #4 national ranking and $71,867 median earnings from a substantial 192-graduate cohort.
These programs serve students seeking stable healthcare careers with clear employment pathways, though debt levels around $27,000 require careful consideration relative to early-career earnings potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist. | #5 | $71,867★ | — | 192 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #14 | $68,871 | — | 71 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #211 | $64,699 | $27,464 | 416 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator. | #25 | $63,419 | — | 63 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | #6 | $54,955 | $28,800 | 95 |
| Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist. | #20 | $48,483 | — | 24 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #81 | $48,237 | $27,057 | 65 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling.Small sample | #17 | $35,416 | — | 18 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #111 | $32,685 | $41,739 | 52 |
Biology, General represents the primary science offering with $50,674 median earnings and #132 national ranking from a substantial 221-graduate cohort. The program ranks #2 in Ohio, indicating regional strength despite moderate national positioning.
This program serves students pursuing graduate study or healthcare careers, though earnings reflect the preparatory nature of undergraduate biological sciences education.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Chemistry. | #39 | $62,319★ | — | 66 |
| Biology, General. | #136 | $50,674 | $29,000 | 221 |
| Neuroanatomy. | #27 | $50,218 | $31,292 | 103 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #174 | $48,914 | — | 35 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #68 | $48,348 | — | 23 |
Psychology, General produces modest earnings of $39,689 despite ranking #282 nationally, with 249 graduates representing significant student demand. Higher debt levels at $26,081 create challenging debt-to-earnings ratios for graduates.
This program typically serves students planning graduate study or careers in human services, where undergraduate earnings may not reflect long-term career potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #72 | $70,663★ | $37,000 | 51 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #115 | $54,415 | $38,626 | 79 |
| Applied/Public Sociology.Small sample | #202 | $42,507 | — | 17 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #185 | $41,234 | $38,000 | 57 |
| Psychology, General. | #289 | $39,689 | $26,081 | 249 |
| International Relations and Affairs. | #70 | $32,543 | — | 38 |
| Anthropology, General.Small sample | #147 | $25,194 | — | 18 |
Communication and Media Studies produces $46,535 median earnings with reasonable debt levels at $22,346, ranking #98 nationally and #2 in Ohio. The program serves 202 graduates annually, indicating solid student interest.
This field provides foundation for diverse career paths in media, marketing, and corporate communications, with earnings reflecting entry-level positioning in competitive industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #10 | $50,809★ | $20,000 | 88 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #102 | $46,535 | $22,346 | 202 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #117 | $26,353 | — | 31 |
Commercial Photography stands out dramatically with #11 national ranking, #1 Ohio ranking, and strong $56,482 median earnings from 205 graduates. The program achieves an exceptional 90.8 value score, indicating outstanding return on investment.
This specialized program demonstrates Cincinnati's ability to deliver nationally competitive outcomes in creative fields with clear commercial applications and strong industry connections.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography. | #12 | $56,482★ | $24,320 | 205 |
| Creative Writing. | #21 | $46,309 | — | 47 |
| American History (United States). | #254 | $36,848 | — | 26 |
| General Studies. | #189 | $33,745 | — | 20 |
| Brass Instruments. | #104 | $32,173 | — | 43 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #298 | $30,946 | $24,250 | 28 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #231 | $28,618 | $30,000 | 56 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #169 | $26,739 | — | 24 |
| Acting. | #142 | $22,906 | $58,308 | 51 |
Agricultural Teacher Education. leads education with 45K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #99 | $44,570★ | — | 20 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | #71 | $40,458 | — | 37 |
| Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching. | #213 | $37,959 | $38,197 | 183 |
Environmental Science. leads agriculture & environment with 37K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #123 | $36,997 | — | 52 |
Corrections Administration produces $47,472 median earnings with #104 national ranking and #1 Ohio ranking from 205 graduates. However, debt levels reach $34,513, creating challenging debt-to-earnings ratios for graduates.
This program serves students committed to public safety careers, where job security and benefits may compensate for modest starting earnings but debt management requires careful planning.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #105 | $47,472 | $34,513 | 205 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 49K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural Design. | #27 | $55,279★ | $27,466 | 82 |
| Court Interpreter.Small sample | #1 🏆 | $54,323 | — | 14 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #52 | $51,456 | $23,832 | 92 |
| Nutrition Sciences.Small sample | — | $50,628 | — | 8 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning. | #13 | $46,122 | — | 21 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #196 | $37,337 | $28,149 | 69 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
