Otterbein is committed to an education you can afford.
At Otterbein, we believe it is our responsibility to make our transformative education as affordable as possible. We believe in recognizing your talent and potential with an array of scholarships that reward you for the hard work you’ve done to reach this point. You’ve earned it.
$42 million
in academic merit scholarships and grants awarded by Otterbein every year
100%
of traditional first-year students receive merit or need-based aid
#3
Best Value School in Ohio according to U.S. News 2026-2027 Best Colleges rankings
Otterbein Scholarships
Get Rewarded for Your Hard Work
Otterbein believes in recognizing talent and achievement with its generous merit scholarships. Simply by applying to Otterbein, you will automatically be considered for many of these scholarships.
President's Scholarship*: $24,000
Typically awarded to students with: High School GPA ≥ 4.0
Provost's Scholarship*: $23,000
Typically awarded to students with: High School GPA 3.8 – 3.99
Trustee's Scholarship*: $22,000
Typically awarded to students with: High School GPA 3.4 – 3.79
Dean’s Scholarship*: $18,000
Typically awarded to students with: High School GPA 3.0 – 3.39
Alumni Award*: $16,000
Typically awarded to students with: High School GPA ≤ 2.99
Advantage Scholarship*: $25,000
New first-year or transfer students at time of admission whose parent or guardian is a qualified employee of an Otterbein Advantage Partner.
“Otterbein gave me such a generous scholarship that I’ll be graduating nearly debt free. Not having to worry about debt makes searching for a reputable master program easier, and wont suffocate me as I’m entering true adult life post-college.”
Vincent Bostick
Vocal Performance major
“The financial aid and scholarships I received made it possible for me to choose Otterbein and fully invest in my education.
Rachel Malek
Psychology and Studio Art majors
Need Based Grants
Get the Financial Aid You Deserve
We also understand that hard work isn’t always enough to reach your dreams. Otterbein is committed to supporting our students through our need-based aid programs. We believe in using a mix of state, federal, and institutional need-based aid as a way to invest in you and your goals. Again, you’ve earned it.
Federal Aid Eligibility
Think you earn too much to apply for aid? We award aid to families with higher incomes than state institutions do. The simple truth is that students who complete the FAFSA (that’s your application for need-based aid as well as how you access the low-interest Federal Direct Student Loan program) receive, on average, $2,700 more each year than students who choose not to complete it.
Fast FAFSA Facts
Students admitted for Fall 2026 who filed the FAFSA received, on average, $2,700 more in Otterbein aid than families who didn’t file. Ask us how!
FAFSA applications open: October 1, 2026
FAFSA priority filing date: January 31, 2027
studentaid.gov
Otterbein’s FAFSA Code: 003110
What Does Otterbein Actually Cost?
At Otterbein, we’re committed to opening the door wider by making an exceptional education more affordable for students and families. Let’s take a closer look at what an Otterbein education could cost.
2026-2027 Expenses
Tuition |
$37,516 |
Housing and Meals |
$13,674 |
Student Fees |
$524 |
TOTAL |
$51,714 |
2026-2027 Expenses
Tuition
$37,516
Housing and Meals
$13,674
Student Fees
$524
TOTAL
$51,714
Don’t worry!
The cost you see here isn’t the cost you will pay.
The published cost is just the starting point. Your financial aid package is designed around your individual circumstances, making an exceptional private education more affordable than you might expect. That commitment has earned Otterbein recognition as the #3 Best Value School in Ohio and #8 in Ohio for Social Mobility, U.S. News Best Colleges 2026-2027, Regional Universities–Midwest.
Make Your Future Add Up
You have big plans for your future, and understanding how to pay for college is part of making them happen. With scholarships and financial aid designed to support your goals, you can explore your options and plan for what’s ahead with confidence.
Curious about your costs? Our Financial Aid Estimator will give you a quick estimate of what your financial aid package could be:
Compare Your Offers From Other Schools
Many students and families worry about falling in love with a university you can’t afford. That’s why we love showing families that, with scholarships and financial aid, a private education at Otterbein can be just as affordable as attending a public university.
See for yourself! Use our Aid Comparison Worksheet to compare offers side by side and discover the value of an Otterbein education.
Explore More Scholarship Opportunities
Beyond merit scholarships and need-based financial aid, Otterbein offers additional opportunities to make your education more affordable. From awards recognizing your unique talents to scholarships for adult and transfer students, explore the options available to you.
Talent Scholarships
Awarded to students majoring in Art, Music, Communications, and Theatre, or minoring in Dance. Talent and participation awards require a separate audition, portfolio review, interview and/or essay.
Transfer Scholarships
Whether you’re coming from another school or starting later in your academic endeavors, Otterbein has several scholarship options for you.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Even more opportunities to reward your hard work are available at Otterbein. See which opportunities could apply to you.
Graduate Early Admission Pathways
Save Money and Get a Start on Your Graduate Degree
Only Otterbein is giving you the chance to get a head start on a graduate degree here on campus while you’re still an Otterbein student. The Graduate Early Admission Pathways (GEAPs) give you the chance to get started on an Antioch University graduate degree while you’re finishing your Otterbein University undergraduate degree. This is all possible because Otterbein and Antioch Universities have co-founded the Coalition for the Common Good.
“The GEAP program is amazing for getting a head start on a masters. I feel that the classes I have taken have a lot of real world experience integrated into them, and experiences most people don’t get to have until they are in the work force or in graduate school.”
Maya Samlan
Marketing and Equine Business majors