Head-to-head comparison
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus vs Otterbein University: which has better ROI?
Option A Cincinnati, OH
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
- Net price / year
- $25,648
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,810
- Payback
- 15.9 yrs
Option B Westerville, OH
Otterbein University
- Net price / year
- $19,237
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,313
- Payback
- 15.5 yrs
Otterbein University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,948 in 15.5 years versus 15.9 years at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, on median earnings of $53,313 vs $54,810 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Otterbein University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,648 | $19,237 |
| Total net cost | $102,592 | $76,948 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,810 | $53,313 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $26,000 |
| Payback | 15.9 yrs | 15.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $26,408 | $22,112 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus or Otterbein University?
Otterbein University, at $19,237 a year after aid versus $25,648 — a gap of $6,411 a year, or $25,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Cincinnati-Main Campus or Otterbein University graduates earn more?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates report a median $54,810 ten years after entry, $1,497 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus or Otterbein University?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $21,250 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Otterbein University, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, 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.