As Bearcats, our urban identity is at the core of who we are and why we matter. We are Cincinnati-centric, constantly striving to deepen our community impact through outreach, partnerships and innovation. Cincinnati’s thriving scene of professional opportunities, artistic inspiration and social energy is what fuels us to go above and beyond.
We love talking about how beautiful our campus is, but don't take our word for it! Forbes magazine listed UC’s campus “among the world's most beautiful” for good reason. With diverse academic settings, cutting-edge labs, open green spaces and pedestrian pathways, our campus is consciously designed to promote intellectual curiosity and enhance student life.
Schedule a visit, and we think you'll agree with The New York Times that UC has the "most ambitious campus design program in the country."
Living in Campus Housing is a meaningful way to be fully immersed in all the benefits of student life. We’re proud to report that over 80% of incoming freshmen, plus many returning students, choose to do so. While UC’s campus has been internationally recognized for its beauty – its visionary, deliberate approach to fostering memorable college experiences is what truly makes it stunning.
To ensure we meet the needs of our ever-growing student population, we’re constantly evolving our campus, with our latest housing addition being our newly renovated Calhoun Hall. In less than two years, the original 172,967 square-foot building was transformed with an eco-friendly, high-tech sustainable design. The intentional layout was constructed to promote what UC is all about – student collaboration – with modern enhancements that allow students to conveniently live, study and dine as a community.
Regardless of where students live on our main campus, everyone has walking-distance access to our award-winning Campus Rec Center and Campus Dining options.
Living on campus also makes it considerably easier to take advantage of on-site resources and organizations. After its founding in 1840, Greek Life at UC now includes more than 3,200 students – but that’s only one way to find your community on campus. UC is also home to over 500 Student Organizations that support a variety of interests.
The University of Cincinnati is made up of a large and diverse community where thousands of students, faculty and staff from all across the globe come together to learn and live. Yes, we are a premier academic institution and a public research powerhouse, but we know it’s the people who make it so.
More than 44,000 undergraduate and graduate students across multiple campuses call UC home, and our faculty and staff are here to empower them to challenge and change the world.
From co-ops nearby to service learning overseas, we learn by doing. Every day, our students and faculty bring real-world knowledge back to the classroom, where it informs our academics and broadens our worldview.
On campus, we work to bring out the best in our community by valuing their unique backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. The following resources are all available to support students and faculty:
No city in the nation better aligns its essence with its environment – infusing where we are with every ounce of who we are.
With a regional population of more than 2 million, Cincinnati is home to seven Fortune 500 companies and lays claim to one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems in the nation.
Our city boasts big-city amenities – professional sports, arts, museums and cultural attractions – along with plenty of small-town charm.
The University of Cincinnati was recently featured in Season 3 of The College Tour, a Prime Video series highlighting colleges and universities worldwide. Watch to find out why Cincinnati has been ranked the #1 best city for new college grads (SmartAsset).
Despite the capacity being just over 40,000, UC’s Nippert Stadium rings as the third loudest college stadium in the nation, so it’s safe to say sports fans will feel right at home here. When we’re not cheering on University of Cincinnati football, you can find us rooting for one of the city’s professional teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Cincinnati Bengals, FC Cincinnati or Cincinnati Cyclones.
If there’s one thing Cincinnati is known for, it’s our celebrations. To get the full Cincinnati experience, we highly recommend marking your calendar for the following:
Taste of Cincinnati: Held every Memorial Day weekend, Taste of Cincinnati is a culinary arts festival featuring over 50 restaurants and food trucks serving up all sorts of delicious flavors.
BLINK: BLINK Cincinnati is the nation’s largest light, art, and projection mapping experience that expands across Cincinnati and beyond.
The Flying Pig: The Flying Pig is the third-largest first-time marathon in the United States. Held on the first Sunday of May, it’s an opportunity for athletes of all abilities to come together and support charities.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati: Did you know we’re home to the largest Oktoberfest in the United States? Celebrate the rich German heritage of southwestern Ohio with German-style food, beer and music at this longstanding traditional event.
Findlay Market Opening Day Parade: Around here, we treat the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day like an unofficial holiday. Thousands of fans line up to watch this iconic parade weave through the entire city. In 2023, the parade will kick off when the Cincinnati Reds schedule begins on March 30th.
PNC Festival of Lights: Every holiday season, the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens shine bright with over 4 million LED lights for the annual PNC Festival of Lights. There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than taking a stroll through this “Wild Wonderland” and paying a visit to our beloved Fiona the hippo and her new baby Fritz.
Because UC’s main campus is just minutes from downtown, students have plenty of opportunities to experience city life. One popular neighborhood is Over-the-Rhine, commonly called OTR. Less than a 10-minute drive from campus and a few blocks from downtown, OTR’s walkable streets are home to some of the best shopping and dining gems in the city. Browse local food and artisan products at Ohio’s oldest public market, Findlay Market, or head to Washington Park to enjoy the Cincinnati weather and a picturesque view of Music Hall, one of the city’s most recognizable buildings.
Urban adventures don’t stop there. To explore even more, hop on a Cincinnati Red Bike or take the free Streetcar a few blocks downtown. There, you can marvel at art at the Contemporary Arts Center and Cincinnati Museum Center, or check out The Banks for spectacular riverside sights along the 5-mile Ohio River Trail.
Just like Cincinnati’s not short of things to do, it’s also not short of places to eat. Among the most popular is Skyline Chili, a Cincinnati staple with its signature dish being the cheese coney – a hot dog in a steamed bun with mustard, covered with their original secret-recipe chili, diced onions and a mound of shredded cheddar cheese. Trust us when we say, don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Other local favorites include LaRosa’s Pizzeria for Italian family recipes and Graeter’s for delicious handcrafted ice cream.
Why is Cincinnati called “The Queen City?” Uses of this nickname date back to the 1800s when the city’s arts and commerce scene began to thrive. It’s said the saying was used by locals to reference the city’s emerging success, and it's still used today.
Check out even more local attractions here:
November 20, 2024
University of Cincinnati professor Aaron Bradley uses his “Undisciplined by Design” podcast to interview high-profile innovation leaders from across the United States.
November 20, 2024
Public radio journalist Mary Evans casts a spotlight on wrongful conviction and the work of the Ohio Innocence Project at UC Law.
November 20, 2024
The UC College-Conservatory of Music's concert series continued on November 1 with a performance by the CCM Wind Symphony presenting multiple pieces by guest composer Viet Cuong, who is one of the most inventive voices in the wind repertoire. The centerpiece of the concert was Cuong’s piece Re(new)al, a concerto for percussion quartet that celebrates the innovations of renewable energy. The four soloists use crystal glasses, a single snare drum, compressed air cans and more to evoke three sources of renewable energy: hydro, wind and solar.
