Otterbein University (Westerville, OH) — Cost, Earnings & Admissions

Stats

College Scorecard figures, each with where this school sits nationally among institutions that report the same measure. A dash means the school does not report it.

Cost

Average net price: $22,1401,288th cheapest of 1,985 reporting
In-state tuition & fees: $34,8991,487th cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Out-of-state tuition & fees: $34,8991,432nd cheapest of 2,042 reporting
Cost of attendance: $47,8651,423rd cheapest of 1,985 reporting
Median graduate debt: $26,0001,445th lowest of 1,880 reporting

Outcomes

Median earnings, 10 years after entry: $53,313895th highest of 1,969 reporting
Median earnings, 6 years after entry: $44,539916th highest of 1,964 reporting
Graduation rate (4-year): 69.0%463rd highest of 2,031 reporting
Full-time retention: 82.4%556th highest of 1,853 reporting

Admissions

Acceptance rate: 83.3%1,018th most selective of 1,608 reporting
Average SAT: 1220350th highest of 1,024 reporting
Median ACT: 23494th highest of 954 reporting

Campus

Undergraduates: 2,055926th largest of 2,162 reporting
Student-faculty ratio: 12.0:1794th smallest of 2,159 reporting
Pell Grant share: 29.1%1,264th highest of 2,140 reporting

Nearest large-hub airport: 146 mi (DTW)

On 1 of our 111 lists

Every published ranking this school appears on, with its rank there.

Most Selective Colleges in Ohio#41

Applying

EADec 15
Rollingopen

Common App member: Yes
Application fee: Free
Personal essay: Required
Writing supplement: No

Deadlines and essay flags come from the Common App Requirements Grid, joined by school name. Always confirm against the school’s own admissions page before applying.

Best-paying fields of study

Median earnings one and two years after graduating, by field. Showing 12 of 61 reported programs.

Field	Level	1 yr	2 yr
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingHealth Professions	bachelors	$58,492	$59,858
Accounting and Related ServicesBusiness	bachelors	$53,358	$47,260
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness	bachelors	$42,682	$41,342
Finance and Financial Management ServicesBusiness	bachelors	$42,682	—
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiological Sciences	bachelors	$38,289	—
Health and Physical Education/FitnessParks, Recreation & Fitness	bachelors	$37,748	$35,060
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCommunications	bachelors	$37,208	$44,170
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsEducation	bachelors	$36,324	$33,993
Psychology, GeneralPsychology	bachelors	$35,864	$32,569
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasEducation	bachelors	$33,281	$32,925
Fine and Studio ArtsVisual & Performing Arts	bachelors	$32,029	$28,598
Biology, GeneralBiological Sciences	bachelors	$30,771	$26,353

Campus facts

Religious affiliation: United Methodistsource
Founded in 1846source
Competes in NCAA Division IIIsource
School colors: Cardinalsource
Athletic nickname: "Cardinals"source
Mascot: Cardy the Cardinalsource
Campus size: about 140 acressource
Formerly known as "Otterbein University"source
Formerly known as "(1847–1917; 2010–present)"source
Formerly known as "Otterbein College" (1917–2010)source
Athletic conference: OACsource
Notable alum: Rachael Harrissource
Notable alum: David Grafsource
Notable alum: Jonathan Bennettsource
Notable alum: Cory Michael Smithsource

Athletics — 11 sports

NCAA Division III with football · NCAA Division III

Athletic scholarships not allowed · Athletic aid $0 (M $0 · W $0)

Self-reported EADA participants (2024-2025). Athletic aid is institution-level, not per sport. Athletic scholarships are not allowed by association rule; non-athletic merit or need-based aid may still be available.