UC co-op growth 25 percent in five years

The University of Cincinnati is reporting a 25 percent increase in placements in its nationally-renowned co-op program, part of a recognizable national trend.

Aside from offering money to help pay for tuition, room and board, and other college necessities, co-op programs provide real world industry experience that can give students an edge when trying to enter a tightening job market.

"The bottom line is that many companies won't even look at a graduate without work experience," Phil Gardner, director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University, tells the Associated Press.

The state of Ohio is banking on the trend, planning to spend $250 million over five years to create more co-ops and internships.

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