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Otterbein University
Most applicants get into Otterbein University — 84.5% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
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Otterbein University occupies suburban Westerville, OH — a private campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat. The school maintains its United Methodist affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, where graduates median $80,188 four years out. Faculty pay averages $103,560 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 2,157 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 79.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 23 and 28 on the ACT composite. Put your own practice estimate on Otterbein University's range with the ACT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Otterbein University is test-optional — scores count when submitted, none required. Otterbein University's submitters' middle half scored 23–28 on the ACT; read that as the stronger-tester end of the admitted class.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Composite | 23 | 25 | 28 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Otterbein University received 3,498 applications and admitted 2,914 (83.3%), with 519 enrolling.
How Otterbein University compares
| Otterbein University | Ohio median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 84.5% | 76.5% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $35,548 | $29,500 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $53,313 | $52,356 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Otterbein University student earns $53,313 — 2% above the Ohio median of $52,356 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
Otterbein University lists tuition at $35,548 for everyone — private schools don't do residency pricing. Otterbein University's sticker and net price can differ sharply after aid; treat $35,548 as the ceiling, not the bill.
Otterbein University enrolls 2,157 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Otterbein University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
67.9% graduate within six years. Roughly 32% don't — ask a Otterbein University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Otterbein University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $80,188 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $70,328 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $62,364 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $58,065 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,006 |
| Psychology, General | $49,090 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,383 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,521 |
| Biology, General | $42,619 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $41,121 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $38,023 |
Median earnings for these 11 Otterbein University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $53,313 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 45 additional Otterbein University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Otterbein University?
The middle 50% of Otterbein University's submitters earned ACT composites of 23–28; no GPA cutoff is published.
What is Otterbein University's acceptance rate?
83.3% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 2,914 admitted from 3,498 applicants.
How much does Otterbein University cost?
At Otterbein University, published tuition is $35,548 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Otterbein University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Otterbein University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $53,313 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Ohio
- Ohio University-Main Campus — 85% admitted
- Professional Skills Institute — 83.1% admitted
- Ohio State University-Main Campus — 60.6% admitted
- Ohio Northern University — 74.4% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.