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Colleges / Otterbein University

Otterbein University

Westerville, OH 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate84%

Otterbein University Tuition Information

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at Otterbein University was $34,424 a year.

Tuition increased 1.77% in 2023–from $33,824 the previous year. On average, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students pay a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you're done with college.

Otterbein University meets 79.65% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Otterbein University is around $29,613 a year.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $32,108 in student loans for each student with debt.

Does Otterbein University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Otterbein University is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Ohio as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Ohio colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Otterbein University?

Tuition at Otterbein University is the same for every student.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or Otterbein University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Otterbein University:

•Otterbein University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


Otterbein University Room, Board, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Otterbein University.

House and Food Costs at Otterbein University

Room and board at Otterbein University is $12,468 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat in the Otterbein University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can pay for a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $6,247.

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Otterbein University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools offer ways so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Otterbein University

The total cost of transportation in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area is usually pricey, but there may be more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Otterbein Universityis in a suburb in Ohio, near Columbus.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


Total Tuition and Expenses at Otterbein University


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending Otterbein University.

How Much Does Otterbein University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Otterbein University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $34,424
Room and Board $12,468
Board Only $2,675
Other expenses $1,934

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $49,301
Off-Campus $43,636

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Otterbein University Financial Aid


The majority of Otterbein University undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 1,225 of the 2,173 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Otterbein University meets 79.65% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $29,613 a year. Around 67.59% of Otterbein University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Otterbein University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $32,108 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $23,540
Otterbein University-Specific Loans $4,690
Private Loans $41,168
Most Common Loans for Otterbein University Students
Federal Loans 67.59%
Institutional Loans 1.27%
Private loans 13.92%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Otterbein University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Otterbein University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Otterbein University awarded 1,225 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $10.4 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.81 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Otterbein University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Otterbein University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Otterbein University was $29,613 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Otterbein University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $19,688
Off-Campus $14,023

What will attending Otterbein University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Otterbein University's net cost calculator on their website.

Otterbein University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Otterbein University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Otterbein University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Otterbein University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Otterbein University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2021, the total market value of Otterbein University's endowment was $122.8 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $10,083 for each full-time student enrolled.


Learn More About Otterbein University


To learn more about Otterbein University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Otterbein University

Otterbein University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$47,367

In State

$47,367

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$34,424
$34,424
Fees
$475
$475
Housing
$12,468
$12,468
Books
Unknown
Unknown

Otterbein University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

60%

Average Financial Aid Package

$27,990

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

2,458

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

84%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$34,899

Out-of-State

$34,899

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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