Otterbein University vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Should I go to Otterbein University or Middle Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Otterbein University or Middle Tennessee State 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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Otterbein University vs. Middle Tennessee State University comparison
Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
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Overview

Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
Location Westerville, OH Murfreesboro, TN
Setting Large Suburban Midsize City
Enrollment 2,357 20,183
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #537 #666
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website otterbein.edu mtsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
Tuition (In State) $34,424 $7,536
Tuition (Out of State) $34,424 $27,072
Room & Board $12,968 $11,704
Avg Net Price $22,242 $12,700
Avg Grant Aid $25,535 $9,942
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 93%

Admission

Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,498 14,763
Admitted 2,914 10,039
Acceptance Rate 83.3% 68%
Enrolled % 17.8% 31.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.64
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 19/26
SAT Range 1035/1260 1000/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
Graduation Rate 62% 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $42,300
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,758
Median Loan Payment $279 $224

Diversity

Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
% Men 3% 5%
% Women 7% 8%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 64%
% Black 6% 22%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 10% 0%

Students

Otterbein University Middle Tennessee State University
% In-State 88% 89%
% Out-of-State 12% 9%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Middle Tennessee State University is larger than than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (20,183 students vs. 2,357 students)

Otterbein University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Otterbein University or Middle Tennessee State University?

  • Otterbein University is 356.8% more expensive to attend than Middle Tennessee State University for in-state tuition ($34,424.00 vs. $7,536.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.2% higher at Otterbein University than Middle Tennessee State University ($34,424.00 vs. $27,072.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Middle Tennessee State University than Otterbein University ($12,700 vs. $22,242)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 10.8% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($11,704 vs. $12,968)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Otterbein University than Middle Tennessee State University (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Otterbein University students is 156.8% larger than aid received Middle Tennessee State University ($25,535 vs. $9,942)

Otterbein University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 89 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1031)
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Otterbein University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64)
  • Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than Middle Tennessee State University (68%)

Otterbein University vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Otterbein University or Middle Tennessee State 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 Middle Tennessee State University and Otterbein University.

  • The graduation rate at Otterbein University is higher than Middle Tennessee State University (62% vs. 45%)
  • Graduates from Otterbein University earn on average $2,500 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates after ten years. ($44,800 vs. $42,300)
  • Middle Tennessee State University students graduate with a $5,242 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($21,758 vs. $27,000)
  • Middle Tennessee State University graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($224 vs. $279)
  • More Otterbein University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 50%)

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