Finance and Financial Management Services at Otterbein University

Otterbein's finance program sits in an awkward spot for Ohio families: it charges roughly average debt ($25,600) but delivers earnings that trail most in-state alternatives. At $55,364 first-year earnings, graduates lag behind the Ohio median for finance programs by about $3,400—placing this in just the 40th percentile statewide. That gap matters when Ohio State, Miami, and even University of Dayton graduates are earning $10,000-$16,000 more right out of the gate.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 looks manageable on paper, and the program does edge past the national median slightly. But context reveals the limitation: Ohio simply has stronger finance programs at comparable accessibility. With an 83% admission rate, Otterbein isn't significantly more accessible than larger state schools that deliver better outcomes. The modest 29% Pell grant enrollment also suggests this isn't serving a distinctly different student population that might justify the earnings gap.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—a few high or low earners could skew these numbers significantly. For families weighing in-state options, this program seems positioned as a comfortable choice rather than a strategic one. Unless location-specific factors or particular faculty relationships matter, Ohio families can likely find better finance program value elsewhere in the state.