Cedarville University vs Otterbein University: which has better ROI?
Cedarville University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,872 in 13.8 years versus 15.5 years at Otterbein University, on median earnings of $55,443 vs $53,313 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cedarville University | Otterbein University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,468 | $19,237 |
| Total net cost | $97,872 | $76,948 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,443 | $53,313 |
| Median debt | $20,937 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 13.8 yrs | 15.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $43,788 | $22,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cedarville University or Otterbein University?
Otterbein University, at $19,237 a year after aid versus $24,468 — a gap of $5,231 a year, or $20,924 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cedarville University or Otterbein University graduates earn more?
Cedarville University graduates report a median $55,443 ten years after entry, $2,130 more than the $53,313 at Otterbein University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Cedarville University or Otterbein University?
Cedarville University: its completers carry a median $20,937 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Otterbein University, a difference of $5,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Cedarville University, against 68% at Otterbein University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.