Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsPrivate (nonprofit)

Otterbein University

Westerville, Ohio·Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above·Great Lakes·otterbein.edu

Otterbein University's acceptance rate is 84.5% (2024). Its six-year graduation rate is 68% and its four-year rate is 57% (2024). Tuition and fees are $35,548 (2024). Fall enrollment is 2,332 students, and 2,504 enrolled over the full 12-month year (2024). Source: IPEDS.

Acceptance
84.5%
+4.8pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
6-yr graduation
68%
+1.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
Total enrollment
2,332
peer median 2,864
Avg net price
$19,237
-$2.8k vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
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About

Otterbein University is a private university in Westerville, Ohio, United States. The university was founded in 1847 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and named for United Brethren founder, Philip William Otterbein. It has been associated since 1968 with the United Methodist Church.

Admissions & acceptance rate

First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.

IPEDS
Applied
3,923
3,923 candidates competed
Admitted
3,316
84.5% acceptance rate
Enrolled
586
17.7% yield

Graduation rate & outcomes

Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.

IPEDS
Overall completion
68%
4-year graduation
57%
6-year graduation (bachelor’s)
68%+1.0pp vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
Full-time retention
80%

Pell equity

9.8pp gap
Pell recipients
61%110 of 179
Non-Pell (all)
71%281 of 397
Subsidized loan, no Pell
66%133 of 203
No Federal Aid
76%148 of 194

Non-Pell students graduate at a 9.8-point higher rate than Pell recipients.

Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.

Program outcomes

Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.

FVT/GE

Of 64 Title IV programs, 13 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 0 fail. 51 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.

Total programs
64
Passing
13
20.3% of portfolio
Failing (GE)
0
0.0% of portfolio
Fail rate
0.0%
-0.6pp vs 0.6% national

Pass / fail distribution

64programs
  • Passing13 · 20.3%
  • No Data51 · 79.7%
  • Failing0 · 0.0%

Severity spectrum

Critical
0
Severe
0
Recoverable
0
At Risk
1
Watch
2
Safe
10
No data
51

Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.

Earnings premium gap

Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.

13
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Bachelor Degree · Visual And Performing Arts
+9.2%
$38,023 vs $34,808
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Bachelor Degree · Natural Resources And Conservation
+18.1%
$41,121 vs $34,808
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
+22.4%
$42,619 vs $34,808
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
+33.7%
$46,521 vs $34,808
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
+36.1%
$47,383 vs $34,808
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
+41.0%
$49,090 vs $34,808
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
+46.5%
$51,006 vs $34,808
Public Relations Advertising and Applied Communication
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
+66.8%
$58,065 vs $34,808

Debt vs earnings

Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.

12
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
Bachelor Degree · Visual And Performing Arts
68%
$26,000 debt · $38,023 earn
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management
Bachelor Degree · Natural Resources And Conservation
63%
$26,050 debt · $41,121 earn
Biology General
Bachelor Degree · Biological And Biomedical Sciences
63%
$26,760 debt · $42,619 earn
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness
Bachelor Degree · Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies
58%
$27,000 debt · $46,521 earn
Psychology General
Bachelor Degree · Psychology
53%
$26,000 debt · $49,090 earn
Teacher Education and Professional Development Specific Levels and Methods
Bachelor Degree · Education
51%
$24,062 debt · $47,383 earn
Registered Nursing Nursing Administration Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Master's Degree · Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
46%
$58,017 debt · $125,033 earn
Communication and Media Studies
Bachelor Degree · Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
46%
$23,250 debt · $51,006 earn

Accreditation status & history

Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.

DAPIP
AccreditedInstitutional accreditor

Higher Learning Commission

Accredited since 1913Next review Aug 2035

Programmatic accreditations · 9

Action history · 5

  1. Nov 2024Renewal of Accreditation
    Higher Learning Commission
  2. May 2018Grant Substantive Change: Degree
    Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs · Nurse Anesthesia (ANEST) - Institutions and programs at the master's degree, post master's certificate or doctoral degree levels
  3. May 2015Renewal of Accreditation
    Higher Learning Commission
  4. Aug 2014Change in Agency recognition
    National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation · Music (MUS) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs
  5. Aug 2014Change in Agency recognition
    National Association of Schools of Theatre, Commission on Accreditation · Theatre (THEA) - Institutions and units within institutions offering degree-granting and/or non-degree-granting programs

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Tuition & cost

What families actually pay, broken down by family income.

College Scorecard

Net price by family income

Aid exceeds costFamily pays
$0–30k$12,458
$30–48k$12,659
$48–75k$16,478
$75–110k$23,061
$110k+$24,620

Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.

Avg net price (private)
$19,237
-$2,752vs Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs median $21,989
Federal loans
53.1%
Tuition and fees
$35,548

Federal aid volume & trends

Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.

Federal Student Aid

In AY 2024–25, 859 students received $5.2M in Pell grants, alongside $12.3M in federal Direct Loans.

Pell recipients
859
AY 2024–25
Pell disbursed
$5.2M
$5,152,693 total
Direct Loans
$12.3M
2,025 loan awards

Pell recipients · 5-year trend

1k
’20
1k
’21
1k
’22
1k
’23
1k
’24

Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25

Subsidized$3.4M
779 loan awards
Unsubsidized · UG$4.0M
974 loan awards
Unsubsidized · Grad$500K
26 loan awards
Parent PLUS$3.7M
224 loan awards
Grad PLUS$701K
22 loan awards

Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Student loan default rate

The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.

Cohort Default Rate

Of 652 borrowers who entered repayment, 3 (0.4%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.

Default rate
0.4%
-1.9pp vs 2.3% national
Borrowers in repayment
652
Defaulted
3
Measurement window
3 years
Federal CDR standard

Default rate vs national, by cohort

2016
4.0%
2017
4.0%
2018
3.6%
2019
0.4%
2020*
0.0%
This institutionNational rate

* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Academic programs at Otterbein

Top program areas ranked by completions.

IPEDS
Distinct CIP programs77
UndergraduateOffered
GraduateOffered

Top program families by completions

554 total completions
01Health Professions
14426.0%
02Business
10218.4%
03Biological Sciences
6411.6%
04Education
559.9%
05Visual/Performing Arts
386.9%
06Natural Resources
376.7%
07Social Sciences
315.6%
08Parks/Recreation
305.4%
09Psychology
295.2%
10Communication
244.3%

Enrollment trends & demographics

Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.

IPEDS
Fall total
2,332
12-mo unduplicated
2,504
Undergraduate
2,326
Graduate
178

Gender split

Men
39%968
Women
61%1,536

Race / ethnicity composition

White
68.8%
Black
12.5%
Two or more
5.8%
Hispanic
5.4%
Asian
3.5%
Unknown
2.7%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.6%
Non-resident
0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.1%

Athletics & Title IX gender equity

How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.

EADA
Athletes
522
331 M · 191 W
Women athletes
36.6%
Athletic aid
$0
Total student aid
Budget
$3.7M
Total expenses

Men vs women · spending splits

Athletic student aid
$0
$0
Recruiting expense
$31K
$16K
Head-coach salaries
$46K
$43K
Men Women

Sport-by-sport · 11

Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
132 M · 92 W
$330K
Football
87 M · —
$408K
Lacrosse
44 M · 19 W
$266K
Soccer
25 M · 34 W
$250K
Baseball
57 M · —
$214K
Wrestling
31 M · 10 W
$245K

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Campus safety & crime statistics

Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.

Clery Act
Criminal offenses · per 1,000 students
2.97
7 offenses · 2,357 students

3-year trend

2.692 yrs ago1.631 yr ago2.97Latest
Offenses · 3-yr
18
Last three years
VAWA · 3-yr
18
DV, dating, stalking
Hate crimes · 3-yr
1
Res-hall fires · 3-yr
0

Criminal offenses by type

Rape
5
Burglary
1
Motor vehicle theft
1

By location

7total
  • On campus6
  • Non-campus1

Includes 1 in residence halls (a subset of on-campus, not added to the total).

VAWA offenses

0
Domestic violence
1
Dating violence
6
Stalking
7 total under the Violence Against Women Act.

Hate crimes by bias

  • Race1

Arrests vs disciplinary referrals

CategoryArrestsReferrals
Weapons00
Drugs00
Liquor024

Residence-hall fires

No residence-hall fires reported.

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

Student-faculty ratio

Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.

IPEDS
Student-to-faculty
12.0:1
Instructional staff (full-time equivalent)
124

Otterbein vs Peer comparison

The peer institutions Otterbein selected for federal comparison reporting.

IPEDS
6-yr gradRetentionSelectivityEnrollmentAffordabilityYield
This institutionPeer median

A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.

Carnegie
SubjectOtterbein University
68%84.5%2,332$19,237Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
Baldwin Wallace University
67%75.7%3,305$27,603Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Bradley University
76%76.8%4,777$22,719Doctoral/Professional
Butler University
79%85.1%5,746$36,041Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Capital University
60%70.2%2,263$22,576Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Creighton University
83%79.8%8,581$31,568R2 Research
Drake University
73%63.9%4,345$29,127Doctoral/Professional
Drury University
62%57.6%1,615$20,831Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs
Elmhurst University
70%73.6%3,997$24,185Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Hamline University
60%87.6%2,565$20,744Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Heidelberg University
52%85.8%1,091$20,556Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs
John Carroll University
79%80.9%2,864$28,746Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Marietta College
61%79.3%1,109$21,083Baccalaureate
Millikin University
55%66.7%1,586$21,989Baccalaureate
Muskingum University
56%81.8%1,751$19,532Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs
Nebraska Wesleyan University
66%79.8%1,654$18,327Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs
North Central College
64%77.3%3,003$21,044Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs
Ohio Northern University
72%74.4%3,140$24,478Baccalaureate
Rockhurst University
74%69.6%3,577$25,884Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
St Catherine University
61%91.8%3,651$19,764Doctoral/Professional
Truman State University
69%83.8%3,664$12,780Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
University of Evansville
65%77.6%2,114$18,499Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs
University of Mount Union
59%78.2%2,461$23,280Masters Colleges & Universities: Small Programs
University of Northern Iowa
68%92.7%9,278$15,901Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Valparaiso University
70%89.4%2,579$18,578Doctoral/Professional
Wilmington College
47%92.4%1,040$24,153Baccalaureate
Xavier University
68%86.4%5,501$32,997Doctoral/Professional
Peer group median67%79.8%2,864$21,989

Institutions like Otterbein

Explore the federal data for institutions in Otterbein's comparison group.

IPEDS
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsOhio

    Baldwin Wallace University

    Grad rate
    67%
    Admit rate
    75.7%
    Enrollment
    3,305
    Net price
    $27,603
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalIllinois

    Bradley University

    Grad rate
    76%
    Admit rate
    76.8%
    Enrollment
    4,777
    Net price
    $22,719
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIndiana

    Butler University

    Grad rate
    79%
    Admit rate
    85.1%
    Enrollment
    5,746
    Net price
    $36,041
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsOhio

    Capital University

    Grad rate
    60%
    Admit rate
    70.2%
    Enrollment
    2,263
    Net price
    $22,576
  • R2 ResearchNebraska

    Creighton University

    Grad rate
    83%
    Admit rate
    79.8%
    Enrollment
    8,581
    Net price
    $31,568
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalIowa

    Drake University

    Grad rate
    73%
    Admit rate
    63.9%
    Enrollment
    4,345
    Net price
    $29,127
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsMissouri

    Drury University

    Grad rate
    62%
    Admit rate
    57.6%
    Enrollment
    1,615
    Net price
    $20,831
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIllinois

    Elmhurst University

    Grad rate
    70%
    Admit rate
    73.6%
    Enrollment
    3,997
    Net price
    $24,185
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMinnesota

    Hamline University

    Grad rate
    60%
    Admit rate
    87.6%
    Enrollment
    2,565
    Net price
    $20,744
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsOhio

    Heidelberg University

    Grad rate
    52%
    Admit rate
    85.8%
    Enrollment
    1,091
    Net price
    $20,556
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsOhio

    John Carroll University

    Grad rate
    79%
    Admit rate
    80.9%
    Enrollment
    2,864
    Net price
    $28,746
  • BaccalaureateOhio

    Marietta College

    Grad rate
    61%
    Admit rate
    79.3%
    Enrollment
    1,109
    Net price
    $21,083
  • BaccalaureateIllinois

    Millikin University

    Grad rate
    55%
    Admit rate
    66.7%
    Enrollment
    1,586
    Net price
    $21,989
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsOhio

    Muskingum University

    Grad rate
    56%
    Admit rate
    81.8%
    Enrollment
    1,751
    Net price
    $19,532
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsNebraska

    Nebraska Wesleyan University

    Grad rate
    66%
    Admit rate
    79.8%
    Enrollment
    1,654
    Net price
    $18,327
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsIllinois

    North Central College

    Grad rate
    64%
    Admit rate
    77.3%
    Enrollment
    3,003
    Net price
    $21,044
  • BaccalaureateOhio

    Ohio Northern University

    Grad rate
    72%
    Admit rate
    74.4%
    Enrollment
    3,140
    Net price
    $24,478
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMissouri

    Rockhurst University

    Grad rate
    74%
    Admit rate
    69.6%
    Enrollment
    3,577
    Net price
    $25,884
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalMinnesota

    St Catherine University

    Grad rate
    61%
    Admit rate
    91.8%
    Enrollment
    3,651
    Net price
    $19,764
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsMissouri

    Truman State University

    Grad rate
    69%
    Admit rate
    83.8%
    Enrollment
    3,664
    Net price
    $12,780
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Medium ProgramsIndiana

    University of Evansville

    Grad rate
    65%
    Admit rate
    77.6%
    Enrollment
    2,114
    Net price
    $18,499
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Small ProgramsOhio

    University of Mount Union

    Grad rate
    59%
    Admit rate
    78.2%
    Enrollment
    2,461
    Net price
    $23,280
  • Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIowa

    University of Northern Iowa

    Grad rate
    68%
    Admit rate
    92.7%
    Enrollment
    9,278
    Net price
    $15,901
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalIndiana

    Valparaiso University

    Grad rate
    70%
    Admit rate
    89.4%
    Enrollment
    2,579
    Net price
    $18,578
  • BaccalaureateOhio

    Wilmington College

    Grad rate
    47%
    Admit rate
    92.4%
    Enrollment
    1,040
    Net price
    $24,153
  • Doctoral/ProfessionalOhio

    Xavier University

    Grad rate
    68%
    Admit rate
    86.4%
    Enrollment
    5,501
    Net price
    $32,997

Otterbein Institutional Research office

The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.

Office
Office of Institutional Research
Reports to Academic Affairs Division
Phone
614-823-1350
Address
Towers Hall, Room 027

Institutional Research supports the University through internal and external data reporting, research and assessment consulting.

Visit IR office page
Team
2 members
  • David Schneider
    Assistant Provost for Institutional Research and University Registrar
  • Lucas LeMaster
    Associate Director of Institutional Research

Reports & documents (1)

Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.

Grants & funding (2)

Federal grant awards and open funding opportunities awarded to this institution.

USA Spending

Notable alumni of Otterbein (10)

A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.

  • Evelyn Svec Ward
    Arts
  • Harold Anderson
    Sports
  • Jim McKee
    Sports
  • Paul O'Neill
    Sports
  • Jonathan Bennett
    Entertainment
  • Jordan Donica
    Entertainment
  • David Graf
    Entertainment
  • Rachael Harris
    Entertainment
  • Kazuya Shimba
    Politics
  • Chalmers Wylie
    Politics

Frequently asked questions about Otterbein University

Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Otterbein University.

What is the acceptance rate at Otterbein University?

Otterbein University's acceptance rate is 84.5% (3,316 admitted from 3,923 applicants), based on the latest IPEDS.

What is the graduation rate at Otterbein University?

Otterbein University's six-year graduation rate is 68% and its four-year rate is 57%, per 2024 IPEDS data.

How many students attend Otterbein University?

Otterbein University reports a total enrollment of 2,332 students per the latest IPEDS.

What is the average net price at Otterbein University?

The average net price at Otterbein University is $19,237 per the latest College Scorecard. Net price is the published cost of attendance minus grant aid.

What is the yield rate at Otterbein University?

Otterbein University's yield rate is 17.7%, the share of admitted students who enrolled, per the latest IPEDS.

Where is Otterbein University located?

Otterbein University is located in Westerville, Ohio 43081.

Who runs Institutional Research at Otterbein University?

Otterbein University's IR work is done by the Office of Institutional Research, which reports to Academic Affairs Division.

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
U.S. Department of Education
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.
U.S. Department of Education
DAPIP accreditationContinuously refreshed
Accreditation status for institutions and programs, reported by recognized accrediting agencies.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education
Federal Pell Grant & loan volumeAY 2025–26 (through Q3), through March 31, 2026
Pell Grant and Direct Loan recipient counts, award amounts, and disbursement volume by institution and award year.
U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid
Cohort Default RatesFY 2022 official rates
Institution-level federal student loan default rates, measuring borrowers who default within three years of entering repayment.
U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid
Equity in Athletics (EADA)Academic year 2024–25
Athletics participation, coaching, revenues, and expenses by sport and gender for Title IV institutions.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education
Campus Safety & SecurityData through reporting year 2024
Criminal offenses, arrests, disciplinary actions, VAWA offenses, and fire statistics reported by campus under the Clery Act.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education
Last reviewed July 2026All data sources & release dates →

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