ONU vs. Otterbein University

Should I go to Ohio Northern University or Otterbein University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ONU or Otterbein University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Ohio Northern University vs. Otterbein University comparison
Ohio Northern University Otterbein University College 3 College 4
Ohio Northern University Otterbein University
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Overview

ONU Otterbein University
Location Ada, OH Westerville, OH
Setting Distant Town Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,015 2,458
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #211 #542
Religious Affiliation United Methodist United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website onu.edu otterbein.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ONU Otterbein University
Tuition (In State) $35,480 $33,824
Tuition (Out of State) $35,480 $33,824
Room & Board $12,900 $11,988
Avg Net Price $27,398 $22,661
Avg Grant Aid $24,235 $24,060
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 100%

Admission

ONU Otterbein University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,625 3,762
Admitted 3,602 3,148
Acceptance Rate 54.4% 83.7%
Enrolled % 18.5% 17.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.78 3.66
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 25/30 20/27
SAT Range 1160/1340 1035/1260
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

ONU Otterbein University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Education (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)

Outcomes

ONU Otterbein University
Graduation Rate 65% 62%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $71,200 $44,800
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 69%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $279 $279

Diversity

ONU Otterbein University
% Men 52% 39%
% Women 48% 61%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 84% 76%
% Black 3% 6%
% Hispanic 1% 2%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 3% 10%

Students

ONU Otterbein University
% In-State 83% 88%
% Out-of-State 16% 12%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Ohio Northern University is larger than than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (3,015 students vs. 2,458 students)

ONU vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ONU or Otterbein University?

  • Ohio Northern University is 4.9% more expensive to attend than Otterbein University for in-state tuition ($35,480.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.9% higher at ONU than Otterbein University ($35,480.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Otterbein University than ONU ($22,661 vs. $27,398)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otterbein University are 7.6% lower than costs at Ohio Northern University ($11,988 vs. $12,900)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Otterbein University than Ohio Northern University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio Northern University students is 0.7% larger than aid received Otterbein University ($24,235 vs. $24,060)

ONU vs. Otterbein University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ONU or Otterbein University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Otterbein University or ONU .

  • The average SAT score at Ohio Northern University (1158) is 38 points higher than at Otterbein University (1120)
  • Incoming ONU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at Otterbein University (25)
  • Accepted freshman ONU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Otterbein University (3.66)
  • Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than ONU (54.4%)

ONU vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ONU or Otterbein University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Otterbein University and ONU.

  • The graduation rate at ONU is higher than Otterbein University (65% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Ohio Northern University earn on average $26,400 more per year than Otterbein University graduates after ten years. ($71,200 vs. $44,800)
  • Otterbein University and ONU graduates both have the same median student loan debt upon graduation ($27,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Otterbein University and ONU graduates both have a median monthly student loan payment upon graduation ($279 vs. $279)
  • More ONU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otterbein University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/