Otterbein University vs Nebraska Wesleyan University
Otterbein University and Nebraska Wesleyan University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Otterbein, nestled in Westerville, Ohio, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Nebraska Wesleyan's 68%. While both universities share a liberal arts core, Otterbein excels in the arts, with popular majors in music, theater, and visual arts. Nebraska Wesleyan, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, emphasizes business and STEM fields, with strong programs in business administration, biology, and chemistry. Otterbein's student body is slightly larger, with a diverse mix of students from various backgrounds. Nebraska Wesleyan, though smaller, fosters a close-knit community with a higher percentage of international students. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Otterbein at 68% and Nebraska Wesleyan at 70%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions and determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Nebraska Wesleyan University |
![]() Otterbein University |
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Overview |
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Location | Lincoln, Nebraska | Westerville, Ohio |
Campus setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 74.0% | 80.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | Methodism |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 81.8% | 82.9% |
Application fees | $40 | |
SAT range | 1040 - 1290 | 1028 - 1233 |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 12.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 62.0% | 65.0% |
Total number of applicants | 2,507 | 3,537 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,051 | 2,932 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 405 | 570 |
Yield rate | 19.7% | 19.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $54,491 | $49,638 |
Average net price | $25,628 | $22,138 |
Tuition | $37,402 | $33,224 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,244
Meal plan:
$4,700
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Room/dormitory:
$6,318
Meal plan:
$5,674
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $23,870 |
100.0%
Average amount $23,065 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
62.0%
Average amount $5,083 |
94.0%
Average amount $7,792 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $15,217 |
9.0%
Average amount $13,529 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,706
Men 43.0% Women 57.0% |
2,253
Men 40.2% Women 59.8% |
Graduate students |
110
Men 20.9% Women 79.1% |
352
Men 29.8% Women 70.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 28.1% | 13.3% |
International students | 1.6% | 0.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 919 | 1,268 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Nebraska Colorado California Texas Kansas | Ohio New York Michigan Florida Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 12:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 65.8% | 69.2% |
Dropout rate | 6.6% | 9.2% |
Transferred out | 27.6% | 21.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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