Otterbein University

Otterbein’s story begins in the mid-1800s, before the abolition of slavery, before the women’s rights movement, before equality and inclusion were rights. Otterbein was founded by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1847. Those qualities built Otterbein to what it is today: a nationally recognized university offering bachelor and master degrees to a wide variety of students.

An Otterbein education is more than mastering your curriculum – it’s getting hands-on experience, gaining confidence to take risks, understanding how to work with others, and discovering how to ask the right questions to solve problems. We invite you to explore the academic opportunities that Otterbein has to offer.

Otterbein is a recipient of the 2015 Carnegie Community Service Classification; finalist for the 2014 President’s Award for Economic Opportunity Community Service; and has been honored With Distinction by the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll since the list’s inception in 2006. Each year, more than 70,000 hours are donated by Otterbein students through our Center for Community Engagement's weekly programs and more than 90 service-learning courses.

Otterbein is building an inclusive community around our unique model of liberal education, which intentionally blends liberal arts and sciences with the professional studies through integrative and experiential learning. Our mission is to prepare our graduates to think deeply and broadly, to engage locally and globally, and to advance their professions and communities.