Otterbein University
#5 Best Nursing Colleges in Ohio- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,313 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,237 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 85% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Nursing Colleges in Ohio.
Every $1 spent returns $17.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,253,186.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 31% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Otterbein University Matters
Otterbein University is a private university in Westerville, OH and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 2,157
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Otterbein University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 85% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,237 a year after grants and scholarships — 12% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,313 ten years after enrolling — 31% above the typical college, against $26,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 64% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.73 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 85%, Otterbein University is a welcoming option for students looking to engage in a range of disciplines. It's particularly well-suited for those interested in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Visual & Performing Arts, or Psychology. The supportive environment here encourages personal growth and academic exploration, making it a good fit for learners who thrive in a close-knit community.
After graduation, Otterbein alumni see a median earning of about $53,313 within ten years. This suggests that students can expect to step into their careers with solid earning potential. While the graduation rate stands at 68%, there’s a sense of upward mobility for graduates who find their footing in the workforce. The affordability of the school also plays a role in this trajectory, making it accessible for many students.
On the financial side, the net price after aid is around $19,237, which is manageable for many families. With a median debt of $26,000, graduates are likely to find a balance between their education costs and future earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are those who appreciate a supportive community and are eager to dive into their studies within a variety of practical fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Otterbein University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Otterbein University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Westerville, Ohio, Otterbein University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,220. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1220
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 45%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,630
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.50
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 3,762
- Admitted
- 3,148
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 Otterbein University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Otterbein University is $35,548, 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 $19,237. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,458 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $35,548
- Out-of-State
- $35,548
- Avg Net Price
- $19,237
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 53%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,458
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,659
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,478
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,620
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Otterbein University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Otterbein University earn a median of $53,313, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,539
- 8 Years
- $50,652
- 10 Years
- $53,313
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (315)
- 56%
- 100% (315)
- 56%
- 100% (315)
- 56%
- 100% (315)
- 56%
How Otterbein Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Otterbein University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Otterbein University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,237/year ($76,948 total). Graduates earn $53,313 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,330,134 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,253,186 (17.3× your investment). The median debt is $26,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $76,948
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,330,134
- Net Return
- $1,253,186
- ROI Multiple
- 17.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,237
- Median Debt
- $26,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Otterbein University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Otterbein University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.22%, well above the typical college. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.22%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 26.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $88,100
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $6,681,235
- Investment Income
- $-2,747,101
Top Programs
The fields Otterbein University 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.
- Health Professions 21%
- Business & Marketing 12%
- Biology & Biomedical 9%
- Visual & Performing Arts 8%
- Psychology 7%
- Education 6%
- Social Sciences 5%
- Communications 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Otterbein University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Otterbein University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Westerville, Ohio, Otterbein University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,220. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Otterbein University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Otterbein University is $35,548, 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 $19,237. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,458 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,000 in federal student loans.
Is Otterbein University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Otterbein University earn a median of $53,313, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Otterbein University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Otterbein University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.22%, well above the typical college. About 4.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 26.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Otterbein University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Otterbein University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Otterbein University.
- University of Mount UnionAlliance, OH · Close peer62% grad $53,217 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of EvansvilleEvansville, IN · Close peer68% grad $53,770 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg, PA · Close peer77% grad $54,064 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Trine UniversityAngola, IN · Close peer66% grad $57,165 earn 85% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Berry CollegeMount Berry, GA · Close peer72% grad $53,800 earn 64% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · Close peer67% grad $59,986 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Otterbein University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Otterbein University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.73, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note