Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 69.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 68.9%
- Retention Rate
- 82.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $53,313
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 69.9%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $144,240 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $111,017 | $60,824 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,858 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $44,170 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,342 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $25,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $21,025 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $32,925 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $32,569 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $30,228 | $18,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $28,598 | |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $26,353 | $26,000 |
Outcomes Overview
Otterbein graduates earn a median of $53,313 ten years after graduation, which creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of about 49% with typical student loans of $26,000. Monthly loan payments of $276 represent roughly 6% of graduate income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The school's strong theatre and music programs often lead graduates into creative industries where early-career earnings start lower but can grow substantially with experience. With a 97.9% employment rate and connections through the United Methodist network, most graduates find work quickly after college. Given the reasonable debt burden and solid starting salaries, Otterbein offers an average return on investment for students willing to work hard.