At $22,140/yr net price, Otterbein University graduates earn $53,313/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,313/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,140 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $88,560 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,313/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,313/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,326/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,057/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,323/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,815/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,227/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
68.9% of students at Otterbein University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Otterbein sits in the middle of the pack financially. You pay $22,140 a year net, graduate with median debt of $26,000, and earn about $53,313 a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio works, but it leaves little margin if you pick a low-paying major.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $60,000 out of the gate and sits near Columbus, where hospital systems like OhioHealth and Mount Carmel keep demand steady. The debt load for nursing runs a bit higher at $27,000, but the salary covers it. Accounting and public relations land in the mid-$40,000s, workable given central Ohio's business base. Health and physical education is the outlier at $35,060, and with $25,000 in debt attached, that combination is hard to justify. If you're headed into teaching or fitness, think carefully about how you'll carry that loan.
The main risk is major choice. A private-nonprofit price tag only pays off if your degree earns like nursing or accounting. Pick education or a lower-earning field and you're paying private-school money for public-school outcomes. The 68.9% graduation rate is another factor: about a third of students don't finish in the standard window, and paying for extra years erodes any return.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay around $15,000 to $16,000 a year, noticeably less than the $25,227 charged to families above $110,000. That middle band, $48,000 to $75,000, jumps to $20,323, so the discount fades fast as income climbs.
Otterbein fits you if you're entering nursing or business and qualify for the lower income tiers. If you're set on education or a fitness field, or your family pays the top rate, run the numbers hard before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Otterbein University worth the cost?
Otterbein's value depends heavily on your major. Nursing graduates earn $111,000+ within 10 years, making the $26,000 median debt manageable, but other programs show weaker returns with average earnings of $53,313 across all majors.
What are the best paying majors at Otterbein University?
Nursing programs at Otterbein deliver strong ROI, with graduates earning $59,858 to $144,240 depending on specialization. Business and accounting majors see more modest returns at $47,260-$52,107.
How much debt do Otterbein University students typically graduate with?
Otterbein graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is reasonable for nursing majors but concerning for lower-earning programs. The net price of $22,140 per year helps keep debt manageable compared to many private colleges.
Does Otterbein University have good job placement after graduation?
Otterbein's 68.9% graduation rate is below average for private colleges, suggesting some students struggle to complete their programs. Job outcomes vary significantly by major, with nursing showing strong employment prospects while other fields are less clear.