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#21 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

Otterbein University Admission Requirements

Westerville, Ohio

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Your chances of getting into Otterbein University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

83.7%
Admission Difficulty for Otterbein University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Otterbein University is 83.7%.  Its admission rate is the 48th lowest in Ohio.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Otterbein University and can you get accepted?

Otterbein University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 3,148 out of the 3,762 who applied were admitted.

Otterbein University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.66. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Otterbein University?

84% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Otterbein University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.66 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1150 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

Otterbein University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.66

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Otterbein University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Otterbein University are to have around a 3.66 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.66 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Otterbein University accepts 84% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Otterbein University is 3.66 on the 4.0 scale. 25% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #17 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Otterbein University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Otterbein University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 25.4% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.74% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 18.3% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 11.19% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 9.41% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 11.01% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.95% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Otterbein University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Otterbein University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 13% of students submitted SAT scores and 53% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1035-1260

Applicants Submitting SAT 

13%
SAT Scores for Otterbein University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 525
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1035
SAT Scores for Otterbein University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 640
Composite 75th Percentile 1260
Average SAT Score 1150

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Otterbein University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Otterbein University is 1150 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1035-1260. Students who get into Otterbein University score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  Otterbein University ranks #24 in the state of Ohio for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1150 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Otterbein University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1035 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1035, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 920, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Otterbein University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1147, you have around a 84% chance of being admitted. A 1260 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 91% chance of getting in.

Otterbein University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1260 and Above Good >91%
1147 to 1260 Avg + 84%-91%
1035 to 1147 Avg - 73%-84%
923 to 1035 Reach 59%-73%
Less than 923 Low <59%
Calculate My Chances 

Otterbein University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-27 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

53%
ACT Scores for Otterbein University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 19
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for Otterbein University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 27
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 27
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Otterbein University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Otterbein University is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 27.  The school ranks #24 in Ohio for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

53 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Otterbein University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Otterbein University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Otterbein University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 84% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 27 ACT score.

Otterbein University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
27 and Above Good >92%
23 to 27 Avg + 84%-92%
20 to 23 Avg - 75%-84%
17 to 20 Reach 64%-75%
Less than 17 Low <64%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

85% of Otterbein University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 50% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Otterbein University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 50%
Top 50% of class 85%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Otterbein University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,307 1,454 3,762
Accepted 1,912 1,235 3,148
Acceptance Rate 83% 85% 84%
Enrolled 345 205 550
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 17% 17%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Otterbein University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Otterbein University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Otterbein University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Otterbein University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Otterbein University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.66 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1150 and ACT of 23 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Otterbein University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=204936 IPEDS survey data for Otterbein University.

Last updated February 24, 2024