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Holmes Hotel — Westerville, Ohio - 49358723636Photo: Pythaglio · CC BY-SA 2.0
Colleges in and near Westerville

Westerville is home to Otterbein University

Otterbein University (2,333 students on campus) is inside the city, and Hondros College of Nursing (3,081) is 4.1 miles from the center, just over the line in Columbus. About 9% of Westerville’s residents are enrolled in college, above Ohio (6%).

Otterbein UniversityHondros College of Nursing

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Westerville. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
14
90,302 students on campus
Nearest college
1.2 mi
Otterbein University
Residents in college
9%
Above OH (6%)
Nearest community college
11.4 mi
Columbus State · $5,488 tuition
Nearest public university
9.9 mi
Ohio State · $13,244 in-state
Median household income
$109K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Westerville

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 4.1 milesOtterbein University admits 85% of applicants; Hondros College of Nursing admits 85%. Together they have 5,414 students on campus.In-state price at Ohio StateLiving in Ohio, Ohio State University charges $13,244 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $40,022. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 11.4 miles awayColumbus State Community College in Columbus: tuition and fees $5,488 a year for Ohio residents.Students are 9% of residentsAbove Ohio (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Westerville

12 private colleges within 14.5 miles, one public college within 9.9 miles, and Columbus State Community College 11.4 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miOhio StateColumbus StateHondros College of NursingWesterville
University or collegeCommunity college
Otterbein UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,333 on campus · In Westerville85%admitted$19knet price68%graduate$53kearningsFelbry CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 214 on campus · 2.8 mi · Columbus85%admitted$58knet price91%graduateFortis College-ColumbusUniversity or college · For-profit · 761 on campus · 2.9 mi · Westerville$28knet price40%graduate$36kearningsEarnings are reported for all 5 campuses that file with it.Hondros College of NursingUniversity or college · For-profit · 3,081 on campus · 4.1 mi · Columbus85%admitted$26knet price21%graduate$59kearningsAmerican Institute of Alternative MedicineUniversity or college · For-profit · 393 on campus · 4.2 mi · Columbus78%admitted$38knet price60%graduate$41kearningsChamberlain University-OhioUniversity or college · For-profit · 320 on campus · 4.8 mi · Columbus88%admitted$32knet price29%graduate$92kearningsEarnings are reported for all 15 campuses that file with it.Ohio Dominican UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,085 on campus · 9.1 mi · Columbus94%admitted$20knet price41%graduate$52kearningsOhio State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 56,206 on campus · 9.9 mi · Columbus61%admitted$17knet price88%graduate$60kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.Columbus State Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 20,012 on campus · 11.4 mi · Columbus$8knet price28%graduate$39kearningsTuition and fees: $5,488 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Columbus College of Art & DesignUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 915 on campus · 11.6 mi · Columbus68%admitted$29knet price56%graduate$41kearningsCapital UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,308 on campus · 11.7 mi · Columbus70%admitted$23knet price60%graduate$54kearningsFranklin UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 779 on campus · 12.1 mi · Columbus · mostly online$25knet price11%graduate$52kearnings91% of its students study only online; price, graduation and earnings count them too.Mount Carmel College of NursingUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 443 on campus · 12.9 mi · Columbus84%admitted$10knet price54%graduate$75kearningsOhio Wesleyan UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,452 on campus · 14.5 mi · Delaware56%admitted$21knet price59%graduate$56kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Westerville’s median household income ($109,404) falls.

Columbus State Community College11.4 mi · Columbus · sticker $13,381 · tuition $5,488$11,660a year
Mount Carmel College of Nursing12.9 mi · Columbus · sticker $21,446$17,556a year
Ohio Wesleyan University14.5 mi · Delaware · sticker $68,424$18,031a year
Ohio State University9.9 mi · Columbus · sticker $30,305$20,461a year
Ohio Dominican University9.1 mi · Columbus · sticker $47,621$21,907a year
Otterbein UniversityIn Westerville · sticker $48,321$23,061a year
Capital University11.7 mi · Columbus · sticker $57,130$23,348a year
Franklin University12.1 mi · Columbus · mostly online · sticker $30,696$25,389a year
Fortis College-Columbus2.9 mi · Westerville · sticker $34,877$25,632a year
Hondros College of Nursing4.1 mi · Columbus · sticker $30,681$29,441a year
Columbus College of Art & Design11.6 mi · Columbus · sticker $54,443$29,717a year
American Institute of Alternative Medicine4.2 mi · Columbus · sticker $42,272$41,470a year
Felbry College2.8 mi · Columbus · sticker $60,136$59,300a year
Chamberlain University-Ohio4.8 mi · Columbus · sticker $42,634—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Westerville: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Otterbein UniversityHondros College of NursingOhio StateColumbus StateCapital UniversityOhio Wesleyan University
Ohio State University88% graduate$60k earnings*$20k typical debt
Columbus State Community College28% graduate$39k earnings$9k typical debt
Hondros College of Nursing21% graduate$59k earnings$16k typical debt
Otterbein University68% graduate$53k earnings$26k typical debt
Capital University60% graduate$54k earnings$27k typical debt
Ohio Wesleyan University59% graduate$56k earnings$27k typical debt
Ohio Dominican University41% graduate$52k earnings$26k typical debt
Columbus College of Art & Design56% graduate$41k earnings$27k typical debt
Franklin University11% graduate$52k earnings$21k typical debt
Fortis College-Columbus40% graduate$36k earnings*$13k typical debt
Mount Carmel College of Nursing54% graduate$75k earnings$22k typical debt
American Institute of Alternative Medicine60% graduate$41k earnings$10k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Fortis College-Columbus (5); Chamberlain University-Ohio (15); Ohio State (6).

Majors

What students study in Westerville

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Otterbein University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 15%Health professions 15%Biology 13%Education 8%Visual & performing arts 8%Parks & recreation 6%Everything else 36%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing47 graduates a year
$80k4 yrs out
Psychology, General39 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Biology, General38 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness31 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations31 graduates a year
$70k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods29 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General27 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management23 graduates a year
$41k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Westerville

Is Westerville a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Westerville residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Ohio (6). The largest campus in the city, Otterbein University, has 2,333 students on campus.

What colleges are in Westerville?

Otterbein University is inside the city. Hondros College of Nursing is 4.1 miles from the center, in Columbus, and Columbus State Community College is 11.4 miles away in Columbus.

What is the closest community college to Westerville, and what does it cost?

Columbus State Community College in Columbus, 11.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,488 a year for Ohio residents; the federal net price, $8,400, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Ohio State University cost if we live in Ohio?

Tuition and fees are $13,244 a year in-state and $40,022 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $4,885 (under $30,000 income) to $27,359 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Westerville. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →