North Central College vs. Otterbein University

Deciding between North Central College 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.

North Central College
Otterbein University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • North Central College Naperville, IL
  • Otterbein University Westerville, OH
  • Setting
  • North Central College Midsize City
  • Otterbein University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • North Central College 3,003
  • Otterbein University 2,332
  • Type
  • North Central College Private 4 Year
  • Otterbein University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • North Central College #372
  • Otterbein University #541
  • Religious Affiliation
  • North Central College United Methodist
  • Otterbein University United Methodist
  • Status
  • North Central College Non-profit
  • Otterbein University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • North Central College
  • Otterbein University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • North Central College $45,726
  • Otterbein University $35,548
  • Room & Board
  • North Central College $14,688
  • Otterbein University $13,236
  • Average Net Price
  • North Central College $23,276
  • Otterbein University $20,457
  • Average Grant Aid
  • North Central College $34,056
  • Otterbein University $27,923
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • North Central College 100%
  • Otterbein University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • North Central College 4,596
  • Otterbein University 3,923
  • Admitted
  • North Central College 3,554
  • Otterbein University 3,316
  • Acceptance Rate
  • North Central College 77.3%
  • Otterbein University 84.5%
  • Enrolled
  • North Central College 13.6%
  • Otterbein University 17.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • North Central College 1180
  • Otterbein University 1150
  • Typical ACT score
  • North Central College 26
  • Otterbein University 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • North Central College 3.6
  • Otterbein University 3.66
  • Typical High School Grades
  • North Central College A-
  • Otterbein University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • North Central College Challenging
  • Otterbein University Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • North Central College
  • Otterbein University
  • ACT Range
  • North Central College 24/29
  • Otterbein University 20/27
  • SAT Range
  • North Central College 1055/1310
  • Otterbein University 1035/1260
  • Submit Test Scores
  • North Central College Test optional
  • Otterbein University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • North Central College Apr 15, 2027
  • Otterbein University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • North Central College 12:1
  • Otterbein University 12:1
  • Popular Majors
  • North Central College
    • Business (28%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Otterbein University
    • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • Education (11%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • North Central College 64%
  • Otterbein University 62%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • North Central College $48,900
  • Otterbein University $44,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • North Central College 74%
  • Otterbein University 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • North Central College $25,000
  • Otterbein University $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • North Central College $258
  • Otterbein University $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • North Central College 45%
  • Otterbein University 39%
  • % Women
  • North Central College 55%
  • Otterbein University 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • North Central College Low
  • Otterbein University Very Low
  • HBCU
  • North Central College No
  • Otterbein University No
  • % White
  • North Central College 71%
  • Otterbein University 76%
  • % Asian
  • North Central College 2%
  • Otterbein University 2%
  • % Black
  • North Central College 4%
  • Otterbein University 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • North Central College 11%
  • Otterbein University 2%
  • % Native American
  • North Central College 0%
  • Otterbein University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • North Central College 0%
  • Otterbein University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • North Central College 3%
  • Otterbein University 4%
  • % International
  • North Central College 2%
  • Otterbein University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • North Central College 7%
  • Otterbein University 10%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • North Central College 80%
  • Otterbein University 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • North Central College 16%
  • Otterbein University 14%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • North Central College Yes
  • Otterbein University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • North Central College No
  • Otterbein University No
  • Meal Plan
  • North Central College Yes
  • Otterbein University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • North Central College Yes
  • Otterbein University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • North Central College No
  • Otterbein University No
  • Learn More
  • North Central College Details
  • Otterbein University Details

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with Otterbein University in Westerville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Central College is larger than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (3,003 students vs. 2,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Otterbein University is in Westerville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
  • North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Otterbein University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Otterbein University 12:1.

North Central College vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College 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 North Central College ($20,457 vs. $23,276).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otterbein University are 9.9% lower than at North Central College ($13,236 vs. $14,688).
  • North Central College is 28.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Otterbein University (about $10,178 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $35,548.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at North Central College than at Otterbein University (about $10,178 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $35,548.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at North Central College as at Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 22% larger than aid received by Otterbein University students ($34,056 vs. $27,923).

North Central College vs. Otterbein University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College 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 North Central College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Central College (1180) is 30 points higher than at Otterbein University (1150).
  • Incoming North Central College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Otterbein University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; Otterbein University 1035/1260.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Otterbein University 20/27.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; Otterbein University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at North Central College (3.6).
  • Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (84.5%) than North Central College (77.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 17.7% at Otterbein University.

North Central College vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College 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).

  • North Central College's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Otterbein University's (62%).
  • Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Otterbein University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, North Central College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Otterbein University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, North Central College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Otterbein University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
  • More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otterbein University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.