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.
recent graduates
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering. | — | $102,273★ |
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
| $28,631 |
| 59 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | — | $100,975 | $26,700 | 200 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | — | $98,364 | $30,624 | 98 |
| Chemical Engineering. | — | $97,220 | $18,250 | 124 |
| Construction Engineering. | — | $92,984 | $25,484 | 40 |
| Architectural Engineering. | — | $92,687 | — | 36 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | — | $90,897 | $18,812 | 63 |
| Civil Engineering. | — | $89,653 | — | 69 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. | — | $88,511 | $19,000 | 60 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. | — | $86,926 | — | 31 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | — | $86,331 | $24,124 | 211 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | — | $62,458 | — | 22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | — | $83,501★ | $24,616 | 292 |
| Insurance. | — | $81,489 | — | 32 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | — | $75,921 | $28,170 | 165 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | — | $75,398 | $34,308 | 194 |
| International Business. | — | $74,145 | $14,096 | 45 |
| Marketing. | — | $72,881 | $22,308 | 436 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | — | $61,590 | $20,432 | 76 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | — | $89,915★ | — | 66 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | — | $85,551 | $27,464 | 379 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | — | $79,742 | — | 157 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | — | $77,549 | — | 45 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | — | $66,550 | $28,800 | 106 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | — | $60,001 | $27,057 | 57 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. | — | $59,703 | — | 40 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.Small sample | — | $52,735 | — | 13 |
| Public Health. | — | $51,990 | $41,739 | 29 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics. | — | $76,667★ | — | 22 |
| Chemistry. | — | $72,302 | — | 51 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | — | $58,004 | $31,292 | 107 |
| Biology, General. | — | $57,443 | $29,000 | 263 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.Small sample | — | $48,348 | — | 12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | — | $75,443★ | $37,000 | 72 |
| Political Science and Government. | — | $58,863 | $38,626 | 81 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | — | $57,228 | — | 42 |
| Sociology.Small sample | — | $50,165 | — | 12 |
| Social Work. | — | $49,465 | $38,000 | 73 |
| Psychology, General. | — | $48,406 | $26,081 | 302 |
| Anthropology.Small sample | — | $25,194 | — | 14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies. | — | $56,818★ | $22,346 | 198 |
| Journalism. | — | $48,331 | — | 28 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | — | $43,570 | $20,000 | 94 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | — | $71,605★ | $24,320 | 219 |
| History. | — | $59,290 | — | 24 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | — | $54,000 | $58,308 | 62 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | — | $37,025 | $30,000 | 70 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.Small sample | — | $33,745 | — | 18 |
| Music. | — | $32,173 | — | 56 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | — | $30,047 | — | 62 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | — | $26,739 | — | 21 |
Special Education and Teaching. leads education with 48K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching. | — | $48,124★ | — | 26 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | — | $47,019 | $38,197 | 211 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.Small sample | — | $46,483 | — | 11 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research. leads agriculture & environment with 55K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | — | $55,075 | — | 69 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | — | $54,231 | $34,513 | 227 |
Legal Support Services. leads other & interdisciplinary with 68K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Support Services.Small sample | — | $67,713★ | — | 6 |
| Architecture. | — | $65,449 | $27,466 | 88 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning.Small sample | — | $60,699 | — | 16 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | — | $60,441 | $23,832 | 185 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | — | $54,599 | $28,149 | 147 |
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.
