University of Cincinnati Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the University of Cincinnati (UC) is a public research university known for its cooperative education program and diverse academic offerings across more than 300 majors. Founded in 1819, UC operates on a semester calendar and provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in fields such as engineering, business, health sciences, and the arts.

In this guide, we’ll detail the university’s admission process, the UC acceptance rate, tuition, financial aid, popular majors, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

In 2024-25, the University of Cincinnati tuition for Ohio residents was $13,976, and $29,310 for out-of-state students.

Financial Aid

In 2022-23, 87% of students used financial aid to pay for University of Cincinnati tuition. This may come as scholarships, loans, grants, or a combination of these.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: Scholarships can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Grants are generally based on financial need. These can come from federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: Federal Work-Study provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: Federal student loans are money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. They come with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  U.S. Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Of the students who used student loans to help with the University of Cincinnati cost, 49% took out federal loans and 13% took out private student loans in the 2022-23 school year. The amount of private student loans averaged $17,916.

Private student loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations, so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The University of Cincinnati cost for four years, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses, would be $143,056 for in-state students (based on 2024-25 numbers). This is higher than the average four-year cost of attendance at public universities in the U.S., which is $115,360.

The University of Cincinnati costs for residents of other states for four years would be $204,392, which is slightly higher than the national average of $186,920.

Here’s some Ohio Student Loan & Scholarships information.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The University of Cincinnati costs for tuition and fees plus books and supplies is $15,276 for in-state students and $30,610 for out-of-state students.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

The cost for University of Cincinnati tuition and fees for graduate students from Ohio was $14,902 in 2024-25. For students from other states, the cost was $26,674. In comparison, the average cost of a master’s degree at U.S. public universities is $37,610.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Attending the University of Cincinnati (UC Uptown) part-time cost $582 per credit hour in 2024-25 for Ohio residents.

Campus Housing Expenses

On-campus room and board was $13,564 in 2024-25; off-campus housing was $17,526. Other living expenses were $6,924 for on-campus students and $8,430 for off-campus students.

First-year students at UC are required to live on campus (unless they are married or live with their parents within 50 miles of campus). The University of Cincinnati offers residence halls and apartment-style housing on campus. There are also Living-Learning Communities and themed floors for students whose interests are similar.

For off-campus living, there are many apartments and rentals to live off-campus within walking distance. You can explore the options for off campus housing .

University of Cincinnati Acceptance Rate

The University of Cincinnati acceptance rate is 88%. In 2023, 29,185 students were accepted, making the University of Cincinnati acceptance rate high.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted at UC, there are certain requirements students must provide with their application. Other things, such as test scores, are recommended.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  GPA

•  Personal statement or essay

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

•  Work experience

•  Letters of recommendation

The deadline to submit an application for fall enrollment is March 1.

SAT and ACT Scores

While test scores are optional at the University of Cincinnati, here are the standardized test scores at the 25th and 75th percentile at UC.

Popular Majors at the University of Cincinnati

UC offers a wide range of majors that provide hands-on learning opportunities. Many programs also offer study abroad options. Here are the most popular majors at the University of Cincinnati.

1. Marketing

After getting a foundation in business courses like managerial accounting, microeconomics, and business finance, students learn about marketing research, consumer behavior, applied trend research and analysis, and more. They also can study abroad if they choose.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 483

2. Nursing

In addition to their coursework, nursing students get the chance to use the latest medical technology as well as work in clinical environments like a trauma center, obstetric unit, pediatric hospital, outpatient surgery center, and community hospital.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 363

3. Psychology

UC’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology provides a strong foundation in human behavior, cognition, and research methods. Students engage in coursework covering areas such as developmental, social, and clinical psychology, while also benefiting from UC’s renowned co-op program to gain hands-on experience in research labs, hospitals, or community agencies.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 314

4. Finance

Offered through the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, a degree in finance equips students with core financial knowledge — such as corporate finance, investments, and financial modeling — alongside practical skills in data analysis and risk management.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 277

5. Interdisciplinary

For students who want to forge their own path, the interdisciplinary degree is an option. They can choose the Social Justice or Cybersecurity Curriculum, or create their own curriculum, which can include courses in ethnobotany, archaeology, environmental studies, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 185

6. Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering students learn about fluid, thermal, structural, and motion design and analysis; kinematics and kinetics of machines; system dynamics and vibrations; thermodynamics; and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 218

7. Biology

Students can select a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology of Animals or Cell and Molecular Biology. In addition to intensive coursework on the subject, students will also participate in lab work to further their understanding of biology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 197

8. Criminal Justice

The University of Cincinnati’s Criminal Justice program, housed in the School of Public and International Affairs, combines rigorous coursework in criminological theory, law, and policy with hands-on experiential learning. Through UC’s signature co-op program, students gain real-world experience in law enforcement, corrections, and community advocacy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 197

9. Speech Communication and Rhetoric

The University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Rhetoric, offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, explores communication theory, persuasive speaking, and media studies. Students develop skills in argumentation, interpersonal communication, and public speaking through a mix of theoretical coursework and practical projects, preparing them for careers in public relations, marketing, education, and advocacy.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 170

10. Operations Management

Operations management majors learn about health care management & operations, data mining & analysis, spreadsheet analytics, and procurement and logistics. They also have the option to study abroad.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 158

Graduation Rate

Here are the graduation rates at the University of Cincinnati for those who began in fall 2017.

•  4 years: 39%

•  6 years: 71%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After completing an undergraduate degree at UC, you can expect to earn on average $54,810 per year, which is lower than the national average of $68,680 for graduates of four-year programs.