All schools
PrivateSuburban

Otterbein University

Westerville, Ohio 43081

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Known for health sciences

Otterbein University is a private institution in Westerville with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1220, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 2.1K undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $53,313 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $22,140.

Established
1847
Mascot
Cardy the Cardinal
Type
Private university
Conference
NCAA Division III
Division
Division III

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

83%Acceptance
1220SAT Avg
2,055Students
12:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$53,313Earnings 10yr
$22,140Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate83.3%

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23
2328

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$34,899
Room & Board$12,968
Books & Supplies$1,508
Total Cost of Attendance$47,865
Average Net Price$22,140
Median Debt at Graduation$26,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$276

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$16,326
$30–48K$15,057
$48–75K$20,323
$75–110K$23,815
$110K+$25,227

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

17.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$20,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

14

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

2

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

4

Drug Arrests

3

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (75)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

82%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
2,055
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
26%
Pell Grant Recipients
29%

Race & Ethnicity

White 70%
Black 11%
Hispanic 6%
Asian 4%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate69.0%
Freshman Retention82.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$44,539
10 Years$53,313

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Towers Hall Otterbein University was founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
  • As a result of a division and two mergers involving the Church, the university has since 1968 been associated with the United Methodist Church.
  • In 2010, due to an increasing number of graduate and undergraduate programs, its name was changed back from Otterbein College to Otterbein University.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

92Average

Estimated from OH state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K
12 mi(21 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
115 mi(199 min)
Detroitpop. 640K
153 mi(265 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CMH Columbus9 mi
CLE Cleveland105 mi
CVG Cincinnati118 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA636 mi · ~18h 22m drive
New York, NY471 mi · ~13h 36m drive
Hartford, CT547 mi · ~15h 48m drive
Providence, RI612 mi · ~17h 41m drive
Albany, NY507 mi · ~14h 39m drive
Syracuse, NY405 mi · ~11h 42m drive
Rochester, NY346 mi · ~10h drive
Buffalo, NY284 mi · ~8h 12m drive
Philadelphia, PA411 mi · ~11h 52m drive
Pittsburgh, PA157 mi · ~4h 32m drive
Harrisburg, PA319 mi · ~9h 13m drive
Newark, NJ463 mi · ~13h 23m drive
Washington, DC325 mi · ~9h 23m drive
Baltimore, MD341 mi · ~9h 51m drive
Atlanta, GA448 mi · ~12h 57m drive
Charlotte, NC357 mi · ~10h 19m drive
Raleigh, NC381 mi · ~11h drive
Miami, FL1005 mi · ~29h 2m drive
Orlando, FL805 mi · ~23h 15m drive
Tampa, FL842 mi · ~24h 19m drive
Nashville, TN344 mi · ~9h 56m drive
New Orleans, LA810 mi · ~23h 24m drive
Richmond, VA346 mi · ~10h drive
Chicago, IL273 mi · ~7h 53m drive
Detroit, MI153 mi · ~4h 25m drive
Minneapolis, MN623 mi · ~18h drive
St. Louis, MO401 mi · ~11h 35m drive
Kansas City, MO623 mi · ~18h drive
Indianapolis, IN172 mi · ~4h 58m drive
Columbus, OH12 mi · ~21 min drive
Cleveland, OH115 mi · ~3h 19m drive
Milwaukee, WI326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Dallas, TX921 mi · ~26h 36m drive
Houston, TX1002 mi · ~28h 57m drive
Austin, TX1076 mi · ~31h 5m drive
San Antonio, TX1149 mi · ~33h 12m drive
Los Angeles, CA1977 mi · ~57h 7m drive
San Francisco, CA2110 mi · ~60h 57m drive
San Diego, CA1957 mi · ~56h 32m drive
Seattle, WA2006 mi · ~57h 57m drive
Portland, OR2027 mi · ~58h 33m drive
Denver, CO1166 mi · ~33h 41m drive
Phoenix, AZ1669 mi · ~48h 13m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1516 mi · ~43h 48m drive
Honolulu, HI4505 mi · ~130h 9m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Otterbein University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications