What to pay a student co-op or intern is a common question. There’s no simple answer, but we are able to provide the list of average hourly wages below. Please keep in mind that student pay varies by field, industry, geographic location, and the student’s level of experience.
UC also offers wage assistance for non-profits and small businesses through a number of grants and funding opportunities to subsidize, and sometimes completely cover, the cost of your student hire.
Not finding what you need? Additional student pay resources are available through the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE):
- Articles about compensation
- Guide to Compensation for Interns and Co-ops (purchase required)
**Data source: Student pay is self-reported through UC Professional Assessment and Learning (PAL) or Handshake by University of Cincinnati students on paid co-op assignments summer 2021, fall 2021, and spring 2022.
Engineering and Applied Science Co-op Major
Average Hourly Wage
| Aerospace Engineering | $18.92 |
| Architectural Engineering | $18.53 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $18.39 |
| Chemical Engineering | $20.87 |
| Civil Engineering | $17.66 |
| Computer Engineering | $20.46 |
| Computer Science | $21.20 |
| Construction Management | $17.60 |
| Electrical Engineering | $20.57 |
| Electrical Engineering Technology | $19.39 |
| Environmental Engineering | $17.90 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $20.07 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | $18.49 |
IT Co-op Major
Average Hourly Wage
| Cybersecurity | $17.88 |
| Information Technology (incl. IT-MS) | $17.47 |
Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning Co-op Major
Average Hourly Wage
| Bachelor of Science in Architecture | $17.22 |
| Fashion Design | $14.78 |
| Fine Arts | $12.77 |
| Communication Design | $17.73 |
| Industrial Design | $18.07 |
| Interior Design | $17.28 |
| Master of Design | $15.60 |
| Master of Community Planning | $14.85 |
| Master of Architecture | $19.58 |
| Urban Planning | $14.62 |
A&S Co-op Major
Average Hourly Wage
| Liberal Arts (incl. Communication) | $13.81 |
Business Co-op Major
Average Hourly Wage
| Accounting | $21 |
| Business Analytics | $20 |
| Economics | $19 |
| Entrepreneurship | $17 |
| Finance | $19 |
| Industrial Management | $20 |
| Information Systems | $19 |
| Insurance and Risk Management | $18 |
| International Business | $19 |
| Marketing | $18 |
| Operations Management | $19 |
| Real Estate | $17 |
On-Campus Co-op
Hourly Wage (Range)*
| Majors vary | Minimum wage to $14.00 |
*Some departments hire work-study students to maximize budgets by using federal work-study dollars to cover up to 75% of student wages.