Otterbein University

Otterbein University

Westerville, OH, USA

Otterbein University is a 4-year, liberal arts institution located in Westerville, OH, minutes from the 14th largest city in the US, Columbus. Founded in 1847, Otterbein has been co-educational from the beginning and takes pride in its diversity and inclusion. While Otterbein features 20 departments and 8 programs with a wide variety of majors, minors, and certificates to choose from, all students take part in the integrative studies curriculum, which is designed to provoke shared conversation about the theme of “Knowledge, Action, and Public Good.” The 140-acre campus offers students traditional, suite-style, apartment, and themed housing, as well as resources such as The Point, a STEAM innovation center and Maker Space hosting 3D printers, a woodshop, metal shop, plasma cutter, and more.

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Private
  • Not for Profit
  • United Methodist
  • Coed

Need Blind

This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
0
100
83%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is checked
Yes

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionMarch 1

Rolling Admissions

The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
87%
Out-Of-State Students
10%
65%
Submitting ACT
12%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 23
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1167
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
2,605
Total Number of Undergrads
2,253
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
59%
20-39 Students
36%
40-99 Students
4%
0
100
57%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
66%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
12:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$23,386
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$34,274
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$34,274
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,988
Books and Supplies
$1410

Aid & Grants

0
100
80%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
27%
Average Aid Per Year
$22,925
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
27%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,667
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$19,832

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
93%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,675
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$21,250
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$248

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
40%
60%
Student Organizations
100
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is checked
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is not checked
No

Housing

0
100
61%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Cardinals
School Colors
tan and cardinal
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Ohio Athletic Conference

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
Columbus
Cleveland
Cincinnati
Dayton
New York
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
80%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$46,900

What Students Are Saying

Otterbein is one of the most beautiful campuses that I have ever been on. The staff is incredibly hospitable, and your opinion really does matter, if you express it. There are plenty of resources for help in any subject that you are in, if you need the tutoring, and don't ever be scared or embarrassed to find that help.
Hope from West Lafayette, OH
I'm a Health Promotion and Fitness Major, and the professors are great! The classes are small, the professors are excited to be here, the area is safe but close to big city excitement, and the food's pretty good too! I also got a lot of financial aid to go here so they really saved me there!
Elizabeth from Avalon, CA
Otterbein is a wonderful college. I love the atmosphere and the campus, along with all of my professors. This is definitely a school to consider when deciding on colleges.
Nicole from Cambridge, OH
I am hoping to attend Otterbein in the fall of 2012. When I visited, I absolutely loved it; Everyone was really friendly and seemed authentically interested in me and my plans. I would highly recommend!
Katelyn from Akron, OH
Otterbein is similar to a large family. With classes and a campus that is challenging, innovative, and connective, students with any range of interests are able to feel right at home here, and find a niche in which they can explore and expand their minds and experiences. Otterbein has become the second home for many; it is an extremely nurturing environment.
Katelyn from Huntsburg, OH
An extremely diverse campus experience- Otterbein offers something for everyone! This university has a variety of opportunities for many different majors, while maintaining a warm, welcoming, small town vibe!
Sarah from Blacklick, OH
Easy to get involved and build relationships.
One on one time with professors all the time.
Safe and fun atmosphere.
Gloridely from Westerville, OH