Otterbein University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Westerville, Ohio · Private nonprofit · Open access
Ranked #20 (tie) in Regional Universities Midwest; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #228 (tie), Nursing #457 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Is Otterbein University a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Otterbein University against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Otterbein University is a private nonprofit university in Westerville, Ohio that admits about 85% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $19,237 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Otterbein University is a private institution located in Westerville, Ohio. For the most recent reporting cycle, Otterbein University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 85%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1220 and an ACT composite around 23. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,237 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Otterbein University?
Otterbein University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare Otterbein University with the other schools on your list
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SAT and ACT scores Otterbein University typically admits
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
How much does Otterbein University actually cost?
Published tuition is $35,548 for in-state students and $35,548 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,236 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,237 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 31% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $19,237 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Most popular majors at Otterbein University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Otterbein University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. Across all programs, Otterbein University confers roughly 233 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $74,143 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 59 | $74,143 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 28 | $44,982 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 26 | $75,602 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 26 | $72,883 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 25 | $63,902 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 25 | n/a |
| Psychology, General | 23 | $47,615 |
| Biology, General | 21 | $50,862 |
Is Otterbein University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Otterbein University disclosed 7 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Ohio parents ask about
- Ohio State University-Main Campus61% acceptance
- University of Cincinnati-Main Campus85% acceptance
- Case Western Reserve University37% acceptance
- University of Dayton65% acceptance
- Miami University-Oxford75% acceptance
- Kent State University at Kent86% acceptance
- Cleveland State University91% acceptance
- Kenyon College31% acceptance
Next steps for Otterbein University
Common questions parents ask about Otterbein University
What GPA do I need for Otterbein University?
Otterbein University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Otterbein University typically admit?
The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–28.
How much does Otterbein University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Otterbein University after grants and scholarships is $19,237 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $35,548. Budget against the net figure.
Is Otterbein University realistic for my child?
Otterbein University admits 85% of applicants, so 22–28 ACT is target range and below 22 is a reach. Then check the $19,237 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Otterbein University?
Otterbein University accepts about 85% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Otterbein University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Otterbein University is a private nonprofit institution located in Westerville, Ohio.
What are the most popular majors at Otterbein University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Otterbein University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. The school awards about 233 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Otterbein University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Otterbein University reported 7 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers