Kent State vs. Otterbein University

Deciding between Kent State University at Kent and Otterbein University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Kent State University at Kent
Otterbein University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Kent State Kent, OH
  • Otterbein University Westerville, OH
  • Setting
  • Kent State Large Suburban
  • Otterbein University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Kent State 26,374
  • Otterbein University 2,332
  • Type
  • Kent State Public 4 Year
  • Otterbein University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Kent State #807
  • Otterbein University #541
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Kent State -
  • Otterbein University United Methodist
  • Status
  • Kent State Non-profit
  • Otterbein University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Kent State
  • Otterbein University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Kent State $13,232
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Kent State $23,082
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Room & Board
  • Kent State $13,794
  • Otterbein University $13,236
  • Average Net Price
  • Kent State $21,278
  • Otterbein University $20,457
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Kent State $10,076
  • Otterbein University $27,923
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Kent State 95%
  • Otterbein University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Kent State 24,611
  • Otterbein University 3,923
  • Admitted
  • Kent State 21,248
  • Otterbein University 3,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Kent State 86.3%
  • Otterbein University 84.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Kent State 20.3%
  • Otterbein University 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Kent State 1130
  • Otterbein University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • Kent State 21
  • Otterbein University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Kent State 3.61
  • Otterbein University 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Kent State A-
  • Otterbein University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Kent State Moderate
  • Otterbein University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • Kent State
  • Otterbein University
  • ACT Range
  • Kent State 18/25
  • Otterbein University 20/27
  • SAT Range
  • Kent State 1010/1240
  • Otterbein University 1035/1260
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Kent State Test optional
  • Otterbein University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Kent State Aug 1, 2027
  • Otterbein University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Kent State 20:1
  • Otterbein University 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Kent State
    • Business (21%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Otterbein University
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Education (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Kent State 50%
  • Otterbein University 62%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Kent State $40,300
  • Otterbein University $44,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Kent State 46%
  • Otterbein University 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Kent State $25,825
  • Otterbein University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Kent State $267
  • Otterbein University $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Kent State 37%
  • Otterbein University 39%
  • % Women
  • Kent State 63%
  • Otterbein University 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Kent State Low
  • Otterbein University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • Kent State No
  • Otterbein University No
  • % White
  • Kent State 75%
  • Otterbein University 76%
  • % Asian
  • Kent State 1%
  • Otterbein University 2%
  • % Black
  • Kent State 9%
  • Otterbein University 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • Kent State 3%
  • Otterbein University 2%
  • % Native American
  • Kent State 0%
  • Otterbein University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Kent State 0%
  • Otterbein University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Kent State 3%
  • Otterbein University 4%
  • % International
  • Kent State 6%
  • Otterbein University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Kent State 3%
  • Otterbein University 10%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Kent State 80%
  • Otterbein University 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Kent State 16%
  • Otterbein University 14%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Kent State Yes
  • Otterbein University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Kent State No
  • Otterbein University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Kent State Yes
  • Otterbein University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Kent State Yes
  • Otterbein University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Kent State Yes
  • Otterbein University No

Comparable Facts

Compare Kent State University at Kent in Kent, OH with Otterbein University in Westerville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Kent State University at Kent is larger than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (26,374 students vs. 2,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting); Otterbein University is in Westerville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Otterbein University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Kent State University at Kent 20:1; Otterbein University 12:1.

Kent State vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kent State or Otterbein University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Otterbein University than Kent State ($20,457 vs. $21,278).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otterbein University are 4% lower than at Kent State University at Kent ($13,236 vs. $13,794).
  • Otterbein University is 168.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kent State (about $22,316 more per year; $35,548.00 vs. $13,232.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at Otterbein University than at Kent State University at Kent (about $12,466 more per year; $35,548.00 vs. $23,082.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otterbein University than at Kent State University at Kent (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 177.1% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($27,923 vs. $10,076).

Kent State vs. Otterbein University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kent State or Otterbein University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Otterbein University and Kent State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Otterbein University (1150) is 20 points higher than at Kent State (1130).
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Kent State).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240; Otterbein University 1035/1260.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kent State University at Kent 18/25; Otterbein University 20/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kent State - Test optional; Otterbein University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Kent State (3.61).
  • Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Otterbein University (84.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at Kent State vs. 17.7% at Otterbein University.

Kent State vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kent State and Otterbein University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Otterbein University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
  • Graduates from Otterbein University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Kent State University at Kent graduates have a $1,175 lower median loan debt than Otterbein University graduates ($25,825 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Kent State graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otterbein University graduates ($267 vs. $279).
  • More Otterbein University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.