Otterbein University vs. Messiah College

Should I go to Otterbein University or Messiah College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Otterbein University or Messiah College is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Otterbein University vs. Messiah College comparison
Otterbein University Messiah College College 3 College 4
Otterbein University Messiah College
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Overview

Otterbein University Messiah College
Location Westerville, OH Grantham, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 2,458 3,231
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #542 #358
Religious Affiliation United Methodist Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website otterbein.edu messiah.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Otterbein University Messiah College
Tuition (In State) $33,824 $38,550
Tuition (Out of State) $33,824 $38,550
Room & Board $11,988 $11,560
Avg Net Price $22,661 $24,120
Avg Grant Aid $24,060 $27,519
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Otterbein University Messiah College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,762 2,438
Admitted 3,148 1,936
Acceptance Rate 83.7% 79.4%
Enrolled % 17.5% 30.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.8
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Average Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 20/27 25/30
SAT Range 1035/1260 1090/1340
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

Academics

Otterbein University Messiah College
Student to Faculty Ratio 12:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Otterbein University Messiah College
Graduation Rate 62% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,800 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $279 $268

Diversity

Otterbein University Messiah College
% Men 39% 37%
% Women 61% 63%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 83%
% Black 6% 3%
% Hispanic 2% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 10% 1%

Students

Otterbein University Messiah College
% In-State 88% 63%
% Out-of-State 12% 35%

Campus

Otterbein University Messiah College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Messiah College is larger than than Otterbein University based on total student enrollment (3,231 students vs. 2,458 students)

Otterbein University vs. Messiah College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Otterbein University or Messiah College?

  • Messiah College is 14% more expensive to attend than Otterbein University for in-state tuition ($38,550.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14% higher at Messiah College than Otterbein University ($38,550.00 vs. $33,824.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Otterbein University than Messiah College ($22,661 vs. $24,120)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah College are 3.7% lower than costs at Otterbein University ($11,560 vs. $11,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Otterbein University as Messiah College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Messiah College students is 14.4% larger than aid received Otterbein University ($27,519 vs. $24,060)

Otterbein University vs. Messiah College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Otterbein University or Messiah College? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Messiah College or Otterbein University .

  • The average SAT score at Messiah College (1129) is 9 points higher than at Otterbein University (1120)
  • Incoming Otterbein University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Messiah College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Otterbein University (3.66)
  • Otterbein University has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than Messiah College (79.4%)

Otterbein University vs. Messiah College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Otterbein University or Messiah College? 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 Messiah College and Otterbein University.

  • The graduation rate at Messiah College is higher than Otterbein University (74% vs. 62%)
  • Graduates from Messiah College earn on average $3,800 more per year than Otterbein University graduates after ten years. ($48,600 vs. $44,800)
  • Messiah College students graduate with a $1,011 lower median federal student loan debt than Otterbein University graduates. ($25,989 vs. $27,000)
  • Messiah College graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than Otterbein University graduates. ($268 vs. $279)
  • More Messiah 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/