University of Cincinnati-Main Campus: the complete school report for parents
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus puts the most weight on GPA and talent. It does not consider legacy and the interview, so family connections carry no weight. With an 88.0% admit rate and 64% of enrolled students at a 3.50 GPA or above, the transcript is the entry ticket and scores are optional but help when they are strong. Major matters more than the name on the diploma here: five years out, Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering graduates earn a median $94,336 against $32,173 for Music.
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus is officially University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, also known as U Of Cincinnati-main Campus or Univ Of Cincinnati-main Campus. Admissions figures below come from its 2025-2026 Common Data Set (see the source), with the admission-factor grid re-read from that file on 2026-09-20.
What does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus actually weigh in admissions?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus rates 2 of the 18 factors "Very Important": GPA, talent. It does not consider 6 of them at all. Every college reports these weights in section C7 of its Common Data Set; below is University of Cincinnati-Main Campus's 2025-2026 answer, read from the grid in its own file.
| Factor | How University of Cincinnati-Main Campus rates it |
|---|---|
| course rigor | Important |
| GPA | Very Important |
| test scores | Considered |
| the essay | Considered |
| extracurricular activities | Considered |
| recommendations | Considered |
| personal qualities | Considered |
| talent | Very Important |
| class rank | Considered |
| demonstrated interest | Considered |
| the interview | Not Considered |
| legacy | Not Considered |
| first-generation status | Not Considered |
| geography | Not Considered |
| state residency | Not Considered |
| volunteer work | Considered |
| work experience | Considered |
| religious affiliation | Not Considered |
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider how hard my child’s courses were?
Yes. It is an important factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider GPA?
Yes. It is one of the most important factors.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider SAT or ACT scores?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider the application essay?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider extracurricular activities?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider recommendation letters?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider character and personal qualities?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider a special talent or ability?
Yes. It is one of the most important factors.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider class rank?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider demonstrated interest?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider an interview?
No. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus does not consider it. There is no interview to prepare for.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider legacy status?
No. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus does not consider it. A parent or grandparent who attended gives no advantage.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider being first-generation?
No. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus does not consider it.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider where we live?
No. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus does not consider it.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider state residency?
No. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus does not consider it.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider volunteer work?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider work experience?
Yes, but only as a secondary factor.
Does University of Cincinnati-Main Campus consider religious affiliation?
No. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus does not consider it.
What GPA do admitted students actually have?
64% of enrolled students had a 3.50 GPA or above. The average was 3.67 on a 4 scale, reported for 99.72% of the entering class. This is the school’s own distribution, not an estimate from its admit rate.
| High school GPA | Share of enrolled students |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 24.8% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 20.83% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 18.45% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 14.86% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 11.4% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 9.12% |
| 2.00–2.49 | 0.44% |
Is transferring in easier than applying as a freshman?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus admitted 50.5% of 5,084 transfer applicants, against 88.0% of first-year applicants. The two routes are similarly competitive here. The minimum college GPA considered is 2.
When do we apply, and does timing change the odds?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus offers neither Early Decision nor Early Action, so there is no early round to strategize about and every applicant is read in one pool.
| Regular application deadline | March 1 |
|---|---|
| Decisions released | December 19 |
| Reply / deposit deadline | May 1 |
| Early Decision offered | No |
| Early Action offered | No |
| Application fee | $50 |
| Fee waiver available | Yes |
| Deferred admission offered | Yes |
What does my child need to take in high school?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus requires 20 academic units and recommends 20. A college-preparatory program is recommended.
| Subject | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 years | 4 years |
| Mathematics | 4 years | 4 years |
| Science | 3 years | 3 years |
What will University of Cincinnati-Main Campus actually cost us?
Families pay an average of $25,648 a year at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus after grants and scholarships. The published price is not what most families pay. The university reports meeting 39% of demonstrated need on average. It also gave 1,780 merit awards averaging $6,387 to first-years with no demonstrated need.
What families at each income level actually paid:
| Family income | Average net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | $17,974 |
| $30,000–$48,000 | $18,092 |
| $48,000–$75,000 | $22,492 |
| $75,000–$110,000 | $27,596 |
| Over $110,000 | $29,616 |
53% of University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates borrow, leaving with an average of $27,571 in debt, which the federal data puts at about $225 a month in repayment. University of Cincinnati-Main Campus’s net price calculator gives your own figure.
Does a degree from University of Cincinnati-Main Campus pay off?
Graduates earn a median $54,810 ten years after entering, and $48,310 at six years. 79% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years. 57% are actively paying down their loans three years in.
Four-year net cost against that earnings premium:
| Family income | Four-year net cost | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|
| Under $30,000 | $71,896 | 6.7 |
| $30,000–$48,000 | $72,368 | 6.7 |
| $48,000–$75,000 | $89,968 | 8.3 |
| $75,000–$110,000 | $110,384 | 10.2 |
| Over $110,000 | $118,464 | 11.0 |
A scale, not a forecast: it assumes aid and earnings hold steady.
$94,336 to $32,173, depending on the major. Median earnings five years out at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus:
| Major | Median earnings, 5 years | Graduates a year |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $94,336 | 98 |
| Chemical Engineering | $92,906 | 124 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $91,341 | 200 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $90,998 | 211 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $83,673 | 194 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $80,523 | 292 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $76,330 | 379 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $75,664 | 157 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $74,355 | 165 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,997 | 147 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $35,509 | 62 |
| Music | $32,173 | 56 |
College Scorecard, by field of study; highest and lowest shown.
Will my child actually graduate?
86% of first-years return for a second year. 75% within six (Fall 2019 cohort).
How big are the classes?
34% of class sections have fewer than 20 students, while 4% have 100 or more. The student-faculty ratio is 19:1, and 57% of faculty are full-time. Accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
What is life at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus like?
34,447 undergraduates, 23.64% of first-years from out of state. 76.5% of freshmen live in university housing, falling to 20.65% across all undergraduates. Greek life is small: 7.21% of men join a fraternity and 9.07% of women a sorority. 31% of students are the first in their family to attend college, and the median family income is $64,722.
What this means for your student
- 64% of enrolled students are at a 3.50 GPA or above, averaging 3.67. Below that line the rest of the application has to carry real weight.
- Its highest-earning major returns $94,336 five years out against $32,173 at the other end, a gap wider than the one between most schools.
- See where your student actually stands: calculate their GPA and compare it against the distribution above.
Common questions about University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
What GPA do you need for University of Cincinnati-Main Campus?
64% of enrolled students at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.67, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What do University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates earn?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates earn a median $54,810 ten years after entering, and 79% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years.
Other schools families compare with University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- UIC|U of I-Chicago|Illinois-Chicago|U of I-Medical Center|University of Illinois-Medical Center|Admissions report · 75.8% admit rate
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleAdmissions report · 94.4% admit rate
- Baylor UniversityAdmissions report · 52.2% admit rate
- TCUAdmissions report · 48.1% admit rate
- UHAdmissions report · 75.8% admit rate
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsAdmissions report · 88.6% admit rate
Where these numbers come from
Admissions figures: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus’s 2025-2026 Common Data Set, published here, factor grid re-read from it on 2026-09-20. Earnings, debt, net price and graduation rates: College Scorecard (2022-2023). Unreported values show as “Not reported”.
How to read these numbers · Back to the University of Cincinnati-Main Campus profile