| Course Level: | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Program: | Art & Humanities | |
| Course Duration: | 4 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | Class 12th | |
| Course Level: | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Course Program: | Art & Humanities | |
| Course Duration: | 4 Years | |
| Course Language: | English | |
| Required Degree | Class 12th | |
Otterbein University is a private liberal arts university in Westerville, Ohio, USA. It was founded in 1847 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, though it operates with an inclusive and non-sectarian approach. The university is known for its small class sizes, strong community engagement, and a focus on experiential learning.
Location: Westerville, Ohio (a suburb of Columbus)
Type: Private Liberal Arts University
Founded: 1847
Enrollment: Around 2,400 students (undergraduate & graduate)
Campus Size: 140 acres
Motto: "Education for a Lifetime"
Mascot: Cardinals
Colors: Tan & Cardinal
Otterbein offers over 70 undergraduate majors, graduate programs, and a doctoral program in Nursing Practice. Popular fields of study include:
Business & Economics
Education
Engineering
Health Sciences (Nursing, Allied Health, etc.)
Theatre & Performing Arts
STEM fields (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, etc.)
It is particularly known for its Equine Science program, one of the few in the U.S., and its Theatre Arts program, which has a strong reputation.
Integrative Studies Program: A well-rounded curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning.
Experiential Learning: Strong focus on hands-on education, including internships, research, and community engagement.
Equine Science Program: Offers students hands-on experience with horses.
Athletics: Competes in NCAA Division III as the Otterbein Cardinals in sports like football, basketball, soccer, and track & field.
Greek Life & Student Organizations: Over 100 clubs, including service organizations, academic clubs, and arts groups.
Close to Columbus, Ohio, a major city with internship, job, and cultural opportunities.
Westerville is consistently ranked among the best small towns in America for its safety and quality of life.
Tuition is around $34,000 per year (before financial aid).
Over 99% of students receive some form of financial aid.
Roger P. Scheiderer (Business Leader)
Dee Hoty (Broadway Actress)
Rachael Harris (Actress, Lucifer, The Hangover)
Jim McClure (Cartoonist, Chicago Tribune)
Otterbein has over 70 majors and minors in various fields:
1. Arts & Humanities
Art & Visual Communication
Art History
Communication Studies
English (Literature, Creative Writing)
History & Political Science
Journalism & Media Communication
Modern Languages & Cultures (Spanish, French, etc.)
Music
Music Education
Philosophy & Religion
Theatre (Acting, Design & Technology, Musical Theatre, etc.)
2. Business, Economics & Management
Accounting
Business Administration
Economics
Finance
International Business
Marketing
Management
3. Education & Teaching
Early Childhood Education (Pre-K–5)
Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4–9)
Adolescent to Young Adult Education (Grades 7–12)
Special Education (K–12)
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
4. Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Data Science & Analytics
Engineering (General Engineering)
Environmental Science
Mathematics
Physics & Astronomy
5. Health Sciences
Allied Health
Athletic Training
Exercise Science & Health Promotion
Nursing (BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Public Health
Sport Management
6. Social Sciences & Psychology
Criminology & Justice Studies
Psychology
Sociology
Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
7. Equine Science & Veterinary Studies
Equine Business Management
Equine Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Equine Veterinary Technology
Zoo & Conservation Science (in partnership with the Columbus Zoo)
Otterbein also offers master’s and doctoral programs in specialized fields:
1. Business & Leadership
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
2. Education
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Master of Education (MEd)
3. Nursing & Health Sciences
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
4. Allied Health & Exercise Science
Master of Science in Allied Health (MSAH)
Course Program Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees Per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Arts & Humanities |
|
|
|
Art & Visual Communication |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Art History |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Communication Studies |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
English (Literature, Creative Writing) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
History & Political Science |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Journalism & Media Communication |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Modern Languages & Cultures (Spanish, French) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Music |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Music Education |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Philosophy & Religion |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Theatre (Acting, Design & Technology) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Business, Economics & Management |
|
|
|
Accounting |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Business Administration |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Economics |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Finance |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
International Business |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Marketing |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Management |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Education & Teaching |
|
|
|
Early Childhood Education (Pre-K–5) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Middle Childhood Education (Grades 4–9) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Adolescent to Young Adult Education (7–12) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Special Education (K–12) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) |
|
|
|
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Biology |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Chemistry |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Computer Science |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Data Science & Analytics |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Engineering (General Engineering) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Environmental Science |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Mathematics |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Physics & Astronomy |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Health Sciences |
|
|
|
Allied Health |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Athletic Training |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Exercise Science & Health Promotion |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Nursing (BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Public Health |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Sport Management |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Social Sciences & Psychology |
|
|
|
Criminology & Justice Studies |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Psychology |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Sociology |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Equine Science & Veterinary Studies |
|
|
|
Equine Business Management |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Equine Pre-Veterinary Medicine |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Equine Veterinary Technology |
4 years |
$34,000 |
|
Zoo & Conservation Science (in partnership with the Columbus Zoo) |
4 years |
$34,000 |
Course Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees Per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Business & Leadership |
|
|
|
Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
2 years |
$18,000 |
|
Education |
|
|
|
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) |
2 years |
$13,500 |
|
Master of Education (MEd) |
2 years |
$13,500 |
|
Nursing & Health Sciences |
|
|
|
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) |
2 years |
$14,500 |
|
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP – Post-Master’s) |
2-3 years |
$16,500 |
|
Allied Health & Exercise Science |
|
|
|
Master of Science in Allied Health (MSAH) |
2 years |
$14,000 |
Course Name |
Duration |
Tuition Fees Per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Nursing & Health Sciences |
|
|
|
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (Post-Master’s) |
2-3 years |
$16,500 |
Small Class Sizes: Student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 for personalized learning.
Scholarships Available: Merit-based scholarships for international students.
Location Advantage: Located in Westerville, Ohio, near Columbus, a city with great job and internship opportunities.
Diverse Programs: Offers 70+ undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields.
Career Support: Provides internships, job placements, and career counseling to help students succeed after graduation.
International students must meet specific academic and English proficiency requirements.
Academic Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent with strong academic performance.
Official transcripts (translated into English).
Minimum GPA: 2.5 – 3.0 (varies by program).
English Proficiency Requirements: (Choose any one)
TOEFL iBT: Minimum 79
IELTS: Minimum 6.5
Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum 105
SAT/ACT: Optional but can strengthen the application.
Exemptions: Students from English-speaking countries or those who have studied in English-based education systems may be exempt.
Other Requirements:
Personal Statement/Essay
Letters of Recommendation (Optional)
Proof of Financial Support (for visa purposes)
Academic Requirements:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
Official transcripts (translated into English).
Minimum GPA: 3.0 (varies by program).
English Proficiency Requirements: (Choose any one)
TOEFL iBT: Minimum 79-100 (varies by program)
IELTS: Minimum 6.5-7.0
Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum 105
Additional Requirements (Varies by Program):
Resume/CV (for MBA & professional programs).
Letters of Recommendation (usually 2-3).
Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Personal Statement.
GRE/GMAT (Optional) – Not required for most programs.
1. Choose Your Program
Otterbein offers over 70 undergraduate and several graduate programs in various fields.
Undergraduate Programs: Business, Engineering, Nursing, Arts, Sciences, etc.
Graduate Programs: MBA, MEd, MSN, DNP, Allied Health, etc.
Tip: Visit the official website to explore programs: N/A
2. Check Admission Requirements
Each program has different academic and English proficiency requirements.
A. Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Official high school transcripts (translated into English if needed).
Minimum GPA: 2.5 – 3.0 (varies by program).
English Proficiency (for international students): (Choose one)
TOEFL iBT: Minimum 79
IELTS: Minimum 6.5
Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum 105
SAT/ACT: Optional but can improve admission chances.
Other Requirements:
Personal Statement/Essay (250-500 words).
Letters of Recommendation (optional, but recommended).
Proof of Financial Support (for international students).
B. Graduate (Master’s & Doctoral) Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Official transcripts (translated into English if needed).
Minimum GPA: 3.0 (varies by program).
English Proficiency (for international students):
TOEFL iBT: Minimum 79-100 (varies by program).
IELTS: Minimum 6.5-7.0.
Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum 105.
Additional Requirements (Depends on Program):
Resume/CV (for MBA & professional programs).
Letters of Recommendation (2-3).
Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Personal Statement.
GRE/GMAT: Not required for most programs.
3. Submit Your Application
Students can apply online through:
Otterbein University Application Portal: www.otterbein.edu/apply
Common Application (For Undergraduate Students): N/A
Application Fees:
Undergraduate: FREE (No application fee).
Graduate: Varies by program ($40-$50).
4. Track Your Application Status
After submission, you will receive a confirmation email with login details.
Check your application status through the online portal.
Undergraduate decisions usually take 2-4 weeks.
Graduate decisions may take 4-6 weeks depending on the program.
Tip: If required, complete an online interview or submit additional documents.
5. Receive Your Admission Decision
If accepted, you will receive an Acceptance Letter via email.
For international students, Otterbein University will issue an I-20 Form (required for applying for a student visa).
6. Confirm Your Enrollment
Pay the enrollment deposit (varies by program).
Register for orientation and course selection.
Arrange on-campus housing (if needed).
Deposit Deadline: Usually May 1 for Fall intake.
7. Apply for a U.S. Student Visa (For International Students)
After receiving the I-20 Form, international students need to:
Pay the SEVIS Fee ($350) at
Schedule a Visa Interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy
Attend the Visa Interview and receive an F-1 Student Visa
Book your travel to the USA before classes start!
Otterbein University typically offers admissions in the following terms:
Undergraduate Admissions:
Fall Intake (August) – Primary intake
Spring Intake (January) – Limited programs available
Summer Intake (May/June) – For specific programs
Graduate Admissions:
Varies by program; some accept applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer.
It’s recommended to check the specific deadlines for each program on the official website.
General Requirements:
High school diploma (or equivalent)
Minimum GPA of 2.5–3.0 (varies by program)
English Proficiency (for international students):
TOEFL iBT: 79+
IELTS: 6.5+
Duolingo English Test: 105+
SAT/ACT scores (optional but recommended)
Additional Documents:
Personal statement or essay
Letter(s) of recommendation (varies by program)
Transcripts (official)
Financial documents (for international students)
General Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
Minimum GPA of 3.0 (varies by program)
English Proficiency (for international students):
TOEFL iBT: 79+
IELTS: 6.5+
Duolingo English Test: 105+
Additional Requirements:
Resume or CV
Statement of Purpose
Letters of Recommendation (2–3)
GRE/GMAT (varies by program)
Ranking Source |
Ranking |
Category |
|---|---|---|
|
QS World University Rankings |
Not Ranked |
Global Universities |
|
U.S. News & World Report |
Ranked in Regional Universities (Midwest) |
Regional Universities |
|
U.S. News & World Report |
Top 20 in Best Value Schools (Midwest) |
Affordability & Value |
|
Niche |
A- Rating |
Academics & Student Life |
|
Times Higher Education (THE) |
Not Ranked |
Global Universities |
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility |
Award Amount (Per Year) |
Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Merit Scholarships |
Based on GPA (No SAT/ACT required) |
$13,000 – $19,000 |
Automatically considered upon admission |
|
International Student Scholarship |
For undergraduate international students |
Up to $15,000 |
Based on academic performance |
|
Talent Scholarships |
For students in Art, Music, Theatre, Dance |
N/A |
Audition or portfolio required |
|
STEM Scholarship |
For students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math |
Up to $5,000 |
Can be combined with other scholarships |
|
Otterbein Commitment Scholarship |
Need-based aid for students with financial need |
N/A |
FAFSA required for U.S. students |
|
Transfer Scholarships |
For transfer students with strong academic records |
$11,000 – $17,000 |
Based on college GPA |
|
Graduate Assistantships |
Available for graduate students |
Tuition waiver or stipend |
Limited positions available |
Facility |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Campus Location |
Westerville, Ohio, USA |
|
Campus Size |
140+ acres |
|
Libraries |
Courtright Memorial Library (digital & physical resources) |
|
Student Housing |
Traditional dorms, suite-style, apartments, and themed housing |
|
Dining Facilities |
Campus dining halls, cafés, meal plans available |
|
Sports & Recreation |
Fitness center, gymnasium, sports fields, intramural sports |
|
Technology & Labs |
Advanced STEM labs, Mac labs, performance studios |
|
Student Clubs |
100+ clubs & organizations |
|
Health Services |
On-campus health center, counseling services |
|
Transportation |
Shuttle services, bike-friendly campus |
Housing Type |
Room Style |
Cost (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
|
Traditional Residence Halls |
Shared rooms, communal bathrooms |
$5,700 – $6,800 |
|
Suite-Style Housing |
Shared/single rooms, private bathroom |
$7,000 – $8,500 |
|
Apartments |
Fully furnished, kitchen included |
$8,500 – $9,500 |
|
Themed Housing |
Special-interest communities |
N/A |
Otterbein has over 100 student-run clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and special-interest groups. Students can join organizations related to leadership, community service, performing arts, and more.
The university competes in NCAA Division III sports and offers 21 varsity teams in sports like football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track & field. There are also intramural and club sports for students who want to stay active without the commitment of varsity athletics.
Otterbein has a strong focus on the arts, with opportunities to participate in theatre productions, music ensembles, and dance performances. The university’s art galleries and concert halls regularly host events for students and the community.
The university emphasizes service-learning and community engagement, encouraging students to participate in volunteer projects, internships, and leadership programs. Many students take part in local and global service initiatives.
Otterbein hosts several annual events like Homecoming, the Spring Festival, and Founder’s Day celebrations. These events bring the campus community together with live music, food, and cultural activities.
Most students live on campus, creating a close-knit community. The residence halls offer different living styles, including traditional dorms, suite-style rooms, and themed housing for students with shared interests.
Otterbein provides health and counseling services, academic support centers, and career development programs. There are fitness centers, mental health resources, and wellness programs to ensure students maintain a balanced lifestyle.
The university is committed to fostering a welcoming environment for students from different backgrounds. There are cultural organizations, LGBTQ+ support groups, and diversity initiatives to promote inclusivity.
The Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) offers resume building, interview preparation, job search assistance, and networking opportunities.
Career fairs, employer meet-ups, and industry-specific workshops help students connect with potential employers.
Personalized career counseling is available for all students.
Over 90% of students complete at least one internship before graduation.
Internships are available in business, healthcare, STEM, arts, and education sectors.
Partnerships with companies like JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide, OhioHealth, and Honda provide valuable work experience.
Within six months of graduation, around 94% of Otterbein graduates are employed or enrolled in further studies.
Many students pursue advanced degrees at top institutions like Ohio State University, University of Michigan, and Indiana University.
Graduates from Otterbein University find opportunities in various fields, including:
Business & Finance – JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide Insurance
Healthcare & Biotechnology – OhioHealth, Mount Carmel Health System
Education – Columbus City Schools, Teach for America
Technology & Engineering – Honda, Battelle Memorial Institute
Media & Communications – WBNS-TV, The Columbus Dispatch
Business & Finance: $50,000 – $70,000
Healthcare & Nursing: $55,000 – $80,000
STEM & Engineering: $60,000 – $85,000
Education & Social Services: $40,000 – $55,000
Arts & Media: $35,000 – $50,000
A strong alumni network helps recent graduates with job referrals and career mentorship.
The university has connections with over 250+ employers, ensuring job placement support.
The acceptance rate at Otterbein University is approximately 80-85%, making it a moderately selective institution.
Otterbein has a holistic admissions process, meaning they consider GPA, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and recommendations rather than just test scores.
While SAT/ACT scores are optional, submitting them can strengthen an application.
International students must meet English proficiency requirements through TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.:
Otterbein University is located in Westerville, Ohio, USA.
Otterbein University
1 South Grove Street
Westerville, OH 43081
United States
