St. Mary's College vs. Otterbein University

Comparable Facts

Compare Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN with Otterbein University in Westerville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Otterbein University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (2,332 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saint Mary's College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Otterbein University is in Westerville, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Otterbein University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Saint Mary's College 9:1; Otterbein University 12:1.

St. Mary's College vs. Otterbein University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College ($20,457 vs. $27,865).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otterbein University are 7.2% lower than at Saint Mary's College ($13,236 vs. $14,260).
• Saint Mary's College is 49.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Otterbein University (about $17,682 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $35,548.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.7% higher at St. Mary's College than at Otterbein University (about $17,682 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $35,548.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College as at Otterbein University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 38.8% larger than aid received by Otterbein University students ($38,748 vs. $27,923).

St. Mary's College vs. Otterbein University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Mary's College (1230) is 80 points higher than at Otterbein University (1150).
• Incoming St. Mary's College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Otterbein University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 1130/1325; Otterbein University 1035/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saint Mary's College 26/30; Otterbein University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: St. Mary's College - Test optional; Otterbein University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Otterbein University (3.66).
• Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (84.5%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at St. Mary's College vs. 17.7% at Otterbein University.

St. Mary's College vs. Otterbein University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for St. Mary's 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Otterbein University's (62%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than Otterbein University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $44,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Otterbein University and St. Mary's College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Otterbein University and St. Mary's College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Otterbein University students, three years after graduation. (85% 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.