Cincy State’s enrollment growth & graduate earnings draw media attention
The Cincinnati Enquirer and other local media have noticed Cincinnati State’s fall enrollment, which is up about 13% over Fall 2024. The College also achieved the highest first-day enrollment in 12 years, with over 10,500 students signed up to start Fall classes.
The article published September 3, 2025, at Cincinnati.com cited College officials who said the jump in enrollment “shows that more people feel this type of education sets them up to find a well-paying job without going into heavy debt.” (Note that a subscription may be required to view the article.)
WKRC-TV (Ch. 12) also aired a brief report on Sep. 3 about Cincinnati State’s record enrollment.
The Cincinnati.com article pointed out that in the past, growth in enrollment at community colleges frequently coincided with an economic recession. Now, community college enrollment growth throughout the U.S. “in part reflects attitudes about community college compared to other post-secondary education options.”
President Monica Posey said in the article, “People are beginning to appreciate more the affordability” of community college and the “focus on workforce and employment.”
The article also reported that according to data from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Cincinnati State graduates lead the state in annual earnings. On average, Cincinnati State graduates earn roughly $20,000 more per year than employed high school graduates in the Greater Cincinnati region, and Cincinnati State’s grads had the highest overall average earnings among community college graduates statewide.
WLWT-TV (Ch. 5) aired a story on Sep. 3 that highlighted the success of graduates of Cincinnati State’s Aviation Maintenance Technology degree and other technical programs. In the broadcast report, Provost Robbin Hoopes said that average starting salaries across all Cincinnati State technical programs are “north of $55,000,” with higher earnings in programs like Aviation Maintenance where initial salaries are “in the $70,000 to $80,000 range.”
Other Cincinnati State technical degrees that lead to high starting salaries include registered nurses (typically starting at about $65,000, depending on the specialty) and diagnostic medical sonographers (ultrasound technicians), with starting salaries of $70,000 and up.
The Ch. 5 story followed up on a white paper report released in late August 2025 by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s Workforce Innovation Center on Gen Z in the Workforce in the Cincinnati Region.
This white paper, presented by Cincinnati State with support from Gateway Community and Technical College and Great Oaks Career Campuses, spotlights Gen Z individuals (born between 1997 and 2012) who are choosing education and career pathways outside of a four-year college degree, and offers insights for employers seeking to engage this growing and skilled talent pool.
Provost Hoopes said, “Cincinnati State was delighted to support the great work of the Workforce Innovation Center in shining a light on the crucial role of ‘alternative’ pathways to technical skills. A well-trained local workforce and economic growth depend on it.”
Avi Zaffini, President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community College, said the Ch. 5 coverage was a “great story” about the important role of community colleges.
To download the Gen Z in the Workforce report, visit workforceinnovationcenter.com.