Founded in 1847, Otterbein University. is a Private college. Located in Ohio, which is a city setting in Ohio, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 2,475 full time undergraduate students, and 453 full time graduate students.
The Otterbein University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 11:1. There are 174 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Otterbein University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
72%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
25
SAT Range
1010-1220
ACT Range
21-27
Admissions at are considered Selective, with ,16% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 20 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
88% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 55% were in the top quarter, and 26% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Otterbein University.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
20%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
7%
“Sometimes, but not often”
73%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
87%
“I feel extremely safe”
29%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
43%
“We bought the gear”
29%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
40%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
7%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
47%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
80%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
7%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
27%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
73%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
13%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
53%
“There might be people who do”
33%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
33%
“We know about current events and vote”
47%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
20%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
7%
“Sometimes, but not often”
73%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
13%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
87%
“I feel extremely safe”
29%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
43%
“We bought the gear”
29%
“We live for the big game”
0%
“It”s not really our thing”
7%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
40%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
7%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
47%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
13%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
80%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
7%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
56 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
43 Students rated off-campus housing 3.3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
57 Students rated campus food 2.8 stars. 5 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
57 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
57 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 75 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
57 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
58 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 59 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
58 Students rated academics 4 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.
Otterbein University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Otterbein University?
16 Students rated Otterbein University
Aries
07/22/2021
Being an incoming freshman at Otterbein University, the campus is beautiful and I could not be more excited to join. The way the counselors work with you is outstanding. They make sure you are comfortable, physically, financially, and mentally. I can not wait to begin learning here.
Josie
05/05/2020
At first, I resented the fact that I had to attend Otterbein because my dream was always to go to Ohio State University. I dreamed of a big school with amazing sports teams and opportunities. Little did I know that I would have all of the same amazing opportunities if not more by attending Otterbein University. The professors are there not only to give you an amazing education but to help you succeed in the path that you choose to take in life. They are personable, well-spoken, and care about each and every student that they have. Overall, the food may not be the best but the dorm living is fairly tolerable and the classes and education are promising.
Zachary
03/10/2020
This is one of the most chill places I've ever went to. Everyone was really nice and the environment was peaceful. There's some much to do there. Any possible activity that you may think of, they will more than likely have there. I only wished that there were more places to shop near campus.
Riley
11/30/2019
I love Otterbein. It is a personalizable small school with big school opportunities. Otterbein focuses on experiential learning in all majors. For example, our nurses are in hospitals and our teachers are in schools right from the start. We have a great location in relation to Columbus and Westerville is adorable!
Megan
11/15/2019
It’s a great school with great students and professors. Most of the buildings are pretty nice and they offer a variety of courses. There is a lot of things to do on and off campus, especially since the campus is right next to uptown. They offer lots of sports and exercise equipment that all students have access to.
Martha
07/31/2019
This university is the nicest and friendliest campus. There will always be someone willing to smile at you or even help you when you are down. You will find other people who want to learn and who want to be there and it means the world to me. Most of the staff is gladly willing to help you and most of them are very kind.
Tasia
04/16/2019
It is a very safe environment. You don't have to worry about anything dangerous happening. Everyone is all close knit and very friendly. Highly recommend taking a visit or even just visit downtown to get a great experience. Otterbein has great faculty and staff members on campus.
Emily
12/06/2018
I enjoyed my experience for the most part. The tutition is very high considering some of the subpar qualities of the school. The campus is nice but the food is terrible, the parking is very expensive and almost non-existent, the wifi access is terrible, and the school is only interested in making more money and is less concerned with the student experience.
Jessica
07/20/2018
It is an amazing place! Every person that I have met at the school is very kind and helpful. The professors truly care about each individual student, and they take time to get to know everyone. Every student takes great pride in being an Otterbein Cardinal, and they take their education very seriously. The campus itself is beautiful. There are trees and flowers everywhere. It is a wonderful place, and it feels like home to every student who goes there.
N
07/15/2018
I love it! I'm not a party person but the school loves it when there's a cause to fight for. Activism isn't looked down on and everyone is really really nice. The school won't hire someone who doesn't fit their needs or ideals so it's a great all around experience.
Katie
05/15/2018
Otterbein is a fabulous school. It is located in Westerville, a wonderful suburb of Columbus, which gives you the best of city life and suburban life. The professors care deeply about each student and work hard to open up opportunities that qwe wouldn't have at other schools. I really feel at home here.
Shirley
11/15/2017
It’s hard work to maintain a social life and great grades. But Otterbein makes the difference. This school has a good community that is able to balance the work hard, play hard type of feeling. I'm only only a freshman but I think I can speak for everyone on the point I'm making .
Hugh
11/12/2017
Otterbein is a fantastic university with plenty of opportunities to learn and grow. The people are wonderful, and the area is so nice. Plus, Columbus is only 15 minutes away. The food is just alright though. There are plenty of campus activities to get involved with and you will be constantly encouraged by teachers, staff, and students.
Ashley
08/23/2016
I believe that Otterbein University is a very close nit campus, though at times a little snooty. They are very kind and will help any and all students in any way the can (normally). The class sizes are very small and you can get one-on-one attention with the vast majority of the professors without any sort of trouble.
Karissa
07/20/2016
This college is super small, but the community feel is great! Being right outside of Columbus certainly leaves plenty to do and see. The academic as are a priority, and the campus offers many options for help academically. There are also services to help with transitioning into college.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Otterbein University is 72%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
Do not get down on yourself for missing out on some senior year social activities! Yes, it may seem like a HUGE deal that you are moving away from your friends but you will meet some amazing people in college. Taking post-secondary courses was probably one of the best things that you could have done to prepare yourself for your future. It might have been a rough social experience you will never regret it, so keep your head up!
Be prepared to work your tail off in college! You will enjoy it though, I promise. It's going to get hectic but you will learn to love it and you will find out that you chose the right major, so do not stress! Start your first day with an open mind, willing to learn and meet new people. It is important to establish study groups and have communication with professors, you can share experiences with each other and learn from them. Stay on task and pay attention to what is going on around you. And one last thing, if get a different and interesting opportunity take it and run with it! You will learn a lot that way.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
You have to be open to other cultures and ethnic groups. Gay rights, preaching, and theater are major diversities with Otterbein College. If you are not open to expriencing new clubs, groups or people then Otterbein is not for you. You have to be very accepting and open to get out of your comfort zone. If you are not willing to put a lot of your time and effort into your work you may want to reconsider your choice. Be yourself, be open and be accepting.
A person who is not afraid to branch out and experience new opportunities with people of diversity. Also a person who attends Otterbein should be able to be social and want to get involved.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
When I brag about my school, I start with how beautiful the campus is and how nice the buildings are, including dorms and academic buildings. The dorms also have large rooms for students to live in, which is not the case in most colleges. I believe that because Otterbein is so nice that this is a large reason students choose Otterbein College as the school of their choice.
I think the best thing about this school is the class size and the location. It sits in a small town setting but is very close to a big city, too, which will help with job hunting.
This school is really good and has a lot to offer. Most of the teachers are great and the location is awesome. Towers Hall is the oldest building and really pretty. The food isn't that great but you can always find something to eat. Not much sports pride especially with the football team.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
Bunch of theatre kids, don't party, weird.
While there are a lot of theatre kids at this school (because it is a really good theatre school), there are tons of other kids as well. Basically a group for anyone, just may take some finding. Cool kids come here too, I think it's a good balance actually. As for not partying, that is totally false. If you want to party you can definitely party, but if you don't want to that's fine too.
The hardest thing about freshman year (and this applies to all Universities) is getting adjusted. It is a totally new experience to a lot of people to be living on campus, not knowing anyone or very few and having an entire campus to explore/learn about. On top of that, attempting to figure out the best way for you to do well.
That is a really weird question! There are a mixture of different outfits worn to classes. Some come fully dressed up in suits everyday, others wear what we wore in high school, others wear leggings or pjs. It is kind of all over the place.
How often should I phone home? Is once a day too much?
You can phone home as much as you wish! Just because you are now on campus does not mean you should stop communicating with your family back home! Once a day sounds perfectly fine! Though, the more activities that you get involved with on campus, the harder that once a day could become.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
100% of students attending Otterbein University receive some sort of financial aid.
29% were awarded federal grants.80%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
