Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large suburb

Otterbein University

Westerville, Ohio. 2,157 undergraduates. Admits 85% of applicants.

61%Graduation rate6 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$20,189Average net price per yearAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
$59,196Median earnings 10 years after startingAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
$25,000Median debt at graduation16% above the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($25,000) equals 42% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($59,196).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$14,480
$30,000–$48,000$15,092
$48,001–$75,000$14,862
$75,001–$110,000$18,412
Over $110,000$27,524

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $36,598.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate61%54%
Return for second year80%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$49,262$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$59,196$58,912
Median debt at graduation$25,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

55 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing52$80,166$74,786$27,000
Business Administration, Management and Operations27$52,606$72,973$26,000
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods10$70,462——
Communication and Media Studies9$40,819$68,313—
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General37$23,841$67,719$27,000
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication16$56,346$64,177—
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions0—$58,425—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods18$38,646$54,732$27,000
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness30$39,998$51,396$27,000
Psychology, General36—$47,018$26,947
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management27$24,571$46,503$27,000
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft16$41,684$42,101$20,197
Fine and Studio Arts13—$40,476—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas1$38,112——
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology15$33,462——
Biology, General27$28,458—$27,000
Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services2———
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs7———
Natural Resources Conservation and Research9———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies9———
Computer and Information Sciences, General7———
Education, General5———
Special Education and Teaching3———
Mechanical Engineering11———
Systems Engineering6———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics4———
English Language and Literature, General6———
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies5———
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other5———
Mathematics11———
Sustainability Studies4———
Chemistry8———
Physics1———
Criminology8———
Economics3———
International Relations and National Security Studies4———
Political Science and Government9———
Sociology6———
Design and Applied Arts4———
Music8———
Public Health4———
Accounting and Related Services6———
Finance and Financial Management Services8———
Marketing8———
History8———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

85%Admission rate
1,220Average SAT of admitted students
22–28ACT middle 50%
12:1Students per faculty member
37%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Otterbein University cost per year?
The average net price at Otterbein University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $20,189 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Otterbein University graduates earn?
Former Otterbein University students earn a median of $59,196 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Otterbein University?
61% of Otterbein University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Otterbein University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Otterbein University is $25,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.