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Ottawa University-Surprise

#5 Best Business Colleges in Arizona
Private nonprofit Surprise, AZ · Suburban · Southwest · 100% data
A- Diversity B Earnings C Selectivity
Graduation Rate
21% F
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$55,552 B
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$33,393 F
95% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
78% C
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +36% vs avg
Graduation -63% vs avg
Net Price 95% vs avg

Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 9.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $9.6 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Business Colleges in Arizona.

9.6× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $9.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,147,607.

What The Data Says

  1. A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Earnings 36% above the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 21% — 63% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $9.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Ottawa University-Surprise

Ottawa University-Surprise is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate College
Enrollment
836
Setting
Suburban
Designations
HSI · 52
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing, Psychology, Communications, Biology & Biomedical

Why students choose Ottawa University-Surprise

Strong STEM core
A heavy concentration in technical fields
Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C-
Top 59% overall
B
Earnings
$55,552 median
D+
Value
1.7× net price
F
Affordability
$33,393/yr net
F
Graduation
21% graduate
C
Selectivity
78% admit rate
A-
Diversity
0.73 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Ottawa University-Surprise serves around 836 students, making it a cozy option for those seeking a more personalized educational experience. With an acceptance rate of 78%, it welcomes a diverse range of applicants. Students here often dive into programs like Business & Marketing, Psychology, and Communications, tailoring their education to fit career aspirations and personal interests.

Looking at life after graduation, alumni earn about $55,552 a decade down the line. This number gives a sense of the financial paths graduates can take, although it’s important to consider how this compares to other institutions. Affordability is a key factor, too, with around 40% of students receiving Pell Grants, indicating support for those from lower-income backgrounds.

When we break down the practical aspects, the net price after aid sits at $33,393, and the median debt load is around $21,500. This financial landscape suggests that while there are reasonable costs involved, some students may feel the pinch. Those who tend to thrive here are likely to be self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, particularly in the popular fields offered.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Ottawa University-Surprise is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Ottawa University-Surprise? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Ottawa University-Surprise, located in Surprise, Arizona, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 972. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.

Acceptance Rate
78%
Retention Rate
50%
SAT Average
972
ACT Midpoint
19
SAT Range
840–1160
ACT Range
16–21
Full-Time Faculty
100%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$6,690
Student–Faculty Ratio
16:1
Diversity Index
0.73
First-Gen Students
40%
Applicants
1,155
Admitted
331

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ottawa University-Surprise? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Ottawa University-Surprise is $35,880, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,393. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $28,636 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$35,880
Out-of-State
$35,880
Avg Net Price
$33,393
Median Debt
$21,500
Pell Grant Rate
40%
Federal Loan Rate
73%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$28,636
Family Income $30K–$48K
$30,096
Family Income $48K–$75K
$31,252
Family Income $110K+
$35,922

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Ottawa University-Surprise Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Ottawa University-Surprise earn a median of $55,552, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$49,139
8 Years
$53,089
10 Years
$55,552
Debt-to-Earnings
0.39x
Earning > $25K
70%

Earnings Trajectory

$49,139 6yr $53,089 8yr $55,552 10yr

How Ottawa Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation21%Earnings 10yr$56KNet Price$33KRetention50%Median Debt$22KPell Grant Rate40%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$29K$0-30K$30K$30-48K$31K$48-75K$36K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Ottawa University-Surprise Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Ottawa University-Surprise delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $33,393/year ($133,572 total). Graduates earn $55,552 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,281,179 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,147,607 (9.6× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 21% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$133,572
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,281,179
Net Return
$1,147,607
ROI Multiple
9.6×
Cost Per Year
$33,393
Median Debt
$21,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
21%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Ottawa University-Surprise awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Ottawa University-Surprise? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Ottawa University-Surprise, located in Surprise, Arizona, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 78%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 972. The graduation rate is roughly 21%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Ottawa University-Surprise? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Ottawa University-Surprise is $35,880, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $33,393. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $28,636 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.

Is Ottawa University-Surprise Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Ottawa University-Surprise earn a median of $55,552, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Ottawa University-Surprise.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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