Public Administration at Otterbein University

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 isn't alarming on its face—graduates would owe roughly two-thirds of their first-year salary—but the context here matters. Based on comparable programs nationally, Otterbein's Public Administration bachelor's would leave students with an estimated $30,167 in debt while earning around $45,278 in their first year. That's notably higher debt than the national median of $23,626 for this field, while earnings track exactly with the national figure. In Ohio, similar programs typically produce slightly lower earnings ($43,464), so Otterbein appears to hold its own regionally, though Miami University and Ohio State report similar or slightly lower starting salaries with potentially different debt loads.

The real question is whether public administration at a small private university justifies carrying an extra $6,500 in debt compared to typical programs in this field. Public sector and nonprofit careers—the usual destinations for these graduates—often offer modest starting salaries with better long-term stability than explosive earning growth. The estimated figures suggest Otterbein follows this pattern, with earnings that should make the debt manageable but won't create quick financial breathing room.

For families considering this path: the estimates point to a workable but not exceptional financial picture. If your student is drawn to public service and values Otterbein's smaller community, the debt burden appears sustainable with disciplined repayment. But if cost is a primary concern, asking Otterbein directly about actual graduate outcomes—and comparing carefully with Ohio's public universities—would be worth the conversation.