Computer and Information Sciences at Otterbein University

A bachelor's in Computer Science from Otterbein would likely leave a graduate with about $26,000 in debt—fairly typical for the field—but the earnings picture reveals a significant gap. Similar programs in Ohio produce median first-year earnings around $50,000, which puts Otterbein's estimated outcomes well below what graduates from Ohio State ($82,000), Cincinnati ($70,000), or Wright State ($69,000) can expect. Nationally, the typical Computer Science grad earns $61,000 in their first year, suggesting that Ohio programs generally underperform the national market, and Otterbein appears positioned at the state median rather than above it.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is manageable—roughly six months of gross income—but the opportunity cost deserves attention. If your child could access one of Ohio's flagship programs, they'd be looking at $20,000 to $30,000 more in first-year earnings for similar or even lower debt. That difference compounds quickly over a career in a field where starting salaries typically matter for trajectory. Given Otterbein's 83% admission rate, families should weigh whether the school's smaller environment justifies accepting median outcomes when more selective in-state options might offer substantially better returns without leaving Ohio.