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SPU Ohio State UW-Seattle Seattle U Whitworth University ONU Capital University JCU Gonzaga Saint Martin's University Kent State Miami| Otterbein University | Pacific Lutheran University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
| Location | Westerville, OH | Tacoma, WA | ||
| Setting | Large Suburban | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 2,357 | 2,737 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #537 | #429 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist | Evangelical Lutheran Church | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | otterbein.edu | plu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $34,424 | $49,472 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $34,424 | $49,472 | ||
| Room & Board | $12,968 | $12,446 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $22,242 | $23,841 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $25,535 | $39,464 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 99% |
Admission |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 3,498 | 4,139 | ||
| Admitted | 2,914 | 3,333 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 83.3% | 80.5% | ||
| Enrolled % | 17.8% | 18.7% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.66 | 3.71 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | A- | ||
| Admissions Standards | Average | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 20/27 | 21/27 | ||
| SAT Range | 1035/1260 | 988/1258 | ||
| 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, 2026 |
Academics |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 62% | 66% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,800 | $52,300 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 69% | 74% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $25,800 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $266 |
Diversity |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 7% | 9% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | Medium | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 68% | ||
| % Black | 6% | 3% | ||
| % Hispanic | 2% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 7% | ||
| % International | 1% | 4% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 10% | 1% |
Students |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 88% | 80% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 12% | 12% | ||
Campus |
Otterbein University | PLU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Pacific Lutheran University is larger than than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (2,737 students vs. 2,357 students)
Otterbein University vs. PLU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Otterbein University or PLU?
- Pacific Lutheran University is 43.7% more expensive to attend than Otterbein University for in-state tuition ($49,472.00 vs. $34,424.00)
- Out of state tuition is 43.7% higher at PLU than Otterbein University ($49,472.00 vs. $34,424.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Otterbein University than PLU ($22,242 vs. $23,841)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Lutheran University are 4.2% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($12,446 vs. $12,968)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Otterbein University than Pacific Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Lutheran University students is 54.5% larger than aid received Otterbein University ($39,464 vs. $25,535)
Otterbein University vs. PLU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Otterbein University or PLU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PLU or Otterbein University .
- The average SAT score at Otterbein University (1120) is 3 points higher than at PLU (1117)
- Incoming Otterbein University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at PLU (25)
- Accepted freshman PLU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at Otterbein University (3.66)
- Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (83.3%) than PLU (80.5%)
Otterbein University vs. PLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Otterbein University or PLU? 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 PLU and Otterbein University.
- The graduation rate at PLU is higher than Otterbein University (66% vs. 62%)
- Graduates from Pacific Lutheran University earn on average $7,500 more per year than Otterbein University graduates after ten years. ($52,300 vs. $44,800)
- Pacific Lutheran University students graduate with a $1,200 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($25,800 vs. $27,000)
- PLU graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($266 vs. $279)
- More PLU 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/