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Otterbein University

Otterbein University is a private nonprofit university in a large suburb of the Columbus, OH metro with 2,119 students and a 85% acceptance rate.

Westerville, Ohio · Private nonprofit · Suburb, large · 2,119 students

NCAA Division III · Ohio Athletic Conference

Admission rate

85%

of applicants admitted

SAT average

1,220

combined, admitted students

ACT, middle half

23–28

25th to 75th percentile

Average net price

$19,237

per year, after grants

Graduation rate

68%

within 6 years

Freshman retention

82%

return for sophomore year

Median earnings

$53,313

10 years after entry

Students

2,119

total enrollment

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS) · data snapshot October 2, 2026 · Updated October 2, 2026

First-year deadlines, 2026–27

PlanDeadline
Regular decision
The standard deadline, with answers in spring. Not binding.		March 1, 2027
Rolling admission
The college reviews applications as they arrive until the class is full.		Rolling

Plans are listed in calendar order. What the plans mean

Source: otterbein.edu · checked September 30, 2026

What families actually pay

Average yearly net price after grants, all students, by family income

$0–30,000$12,458
$30,001–48,000$12,659
$48,001–75,000$16,478
$75,001–110,000$23,061
Over $110,000$24,620

Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Biggest majors

MajorGraduates
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse52
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences37
Psychology32
Biology/Biological Sciences26
Business Administration and Management25
Biochemistry15
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management14
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other13
Show the other 45 majors
Early Childhood Education and Teaching13
Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management13
Fine/Studio Arts12
Mechanical Engineering11
Mathematics9
Marketing/Marketing Management8
Criminology8
Environmental Science8
Computer and Information Sciences7
Political Science and Government7
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology7
Pre-Veterinary Studies6
Public Relations/Image Management6
English Language and Literature6
Chemistry6
Accounting6
Finance6
Mass Communication/Media Studies5
Health Communication5
Education5
Creative Writing5
Musical Theatre5
Actuarial Science5
History5
Speech Communication and Rhetoric4
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching4
Systems Engineering4
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other4
International Relations and Affairs4
Acting4
Management Science4
Special Education and Teaching3
Economics3
Design and Applied Arts, Other3
Music3
Music, Other3
Public Health Education and Promotion3
Equestrian/Equine Studies2
Women's Studies2
Spanish Language and Literature2
Sociology2
Organizational Leadership1
Physics1
Sustainability Studies1
Music Teacher Education1

Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Scholarships

Amounts and eligibility change; check the college’s page for current details.

Sports and campus life

Men’s varsity · NCAA Division III, Ohio Athletic Conference

Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Wrestling

Women’s varsity · NCAA Division III, Ohio Athletic Conference

Basketball, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball, Wrestling

ROTC

Army

Faith groups

Cru, Newman Connection

Also

Esports, Study abroad

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), centralohiocru.com · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026

The place

Setting

Suburb, large

Federal locale classification

Metro area

Columbus, OH

2,225,377 people

Big-city metro (1 million+)

Yes

More about the place

Nearest airport

John Glenn Columbus International (CMH)

Nearest hub airport

John Glenn Columbus International (CMH)

Walkability

EPA walkability index 12.7 of 20

Elevation

855 ft

Time zone

Eastern

January low

22°F

July high

86°F

Annual snowfall

19.0 in

Days at 90°F or higher

20 per year

One-bedroom fair market rent

$1,630 per month

Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026

Colleges nearby

Straight-line distance between campuses

Similar colleges

Private nonprofit, suburban campus, NCAA Division III, similar size