C
Average
Score: 53/100
Overall (traditional)
C+
Outcome Rating
63/100 · earnings-weighted

Otterbein University

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Westerville, Ohio 43081
Otterbein University campus, Westerville, OH
Otterbein University campus, Westerville, OH. Photo: Christopher L. Riley, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: ⚠️ Limited Data Available. Some metrics for this institution are incomplete or unavailable, which may affect the overall grade. Consider researching this school directly for the most current information.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (B+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 69%
Outcomes
B+
79/100
Affordability
F
9/100
Resources
C+
58/100
Experience
A
87/100
Prestige
D
35/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

2,357
Total Enrollment
69%
Graduation Rate
82%
Retention Rate
12.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
83%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Otterbein University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$53,313
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$44,539
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$26,000
Median debt at graduation
67.9%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,220
Average SAT
23
Median ACT
30.6%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 49% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 56th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (OH wage index 0.88). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Otterbein University

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$69,287$80,188-10%#705 of 966#577$27,000
Business Administration, Management and Operations$44,689$70,328+3%#367 of 1176#240$26,000
Systems Engineering$63,243————$25,469
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences$30,581$62,364+2%#62 of 156#41$27,000
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$37,430$58,065-9%#125 of 178#106$20,500
Finance and Financial Management Services$55,364————$25,600
Communication and Media Studies$31,207$51,006-9%#413 of 660#329$18,500
Psychology$29,604$49,090-3%#596 of 1027#371$25,000
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$38,651$47,383+0%#371 of 680#304$21,025
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$31,851$46,521-15%#508 of 610#450$25,000
Biology$24,341$42,619-26%#809 of 841#796$26,000
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management$19,801$41,121-9%#32 of 37#27$25,850
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$12,546$38,023-4%#167 of 255#116$26,822

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Otterbein University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $362,151
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,597/mo — vs ~$730/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 43219 (5.3% cap, Columbus)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $34,424 $34,424
Room $6,574
Board $6,394
Total Cost (On-Campus) $52,539 $52,539

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
32%
Receive Pell Grants
95%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

2,357
Total Students
62%
Women
94%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 69%
Hispanic 5%
Black 11%
Asian 4%
Two or More 5%
Non-Resident 1%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 81%
Hybrid (Some Online) 18%
Fully Online 1%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 94%
25-64 (Adult) 3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Otterbein University?
Otterbein University has an acceptance rate of 83%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Otterbein University?
Tuition at Otterbein University is $34,424 for in-state students and $34,424 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Otterbein University?
The graduation rate at Otterbein University is 69%. This is a solid graduation rate, showing that most students who enroll successfully complete their degrees.
Is Otterbein University a good school?
Otterbein University has a Repit College Score of 53/100 (Grade: C). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Otterbein University?
Otterbein University has a total enrollment of 2,357 students. Most students (94%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Otterbein University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology