Butler University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It enrolls 4,317 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
63/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes86
Value25
Affordability8
Selectivity55
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 85.1%, Butler University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
85.1%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1160 – 1350
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
26 – 31
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Butler University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
12.7 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Butler University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $36,041 per year. That's above the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$36,041
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
15%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
43%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$47,560
Room & Board (on-campus)
$16,430
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,430
Books & Supplies
$1,300
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,660
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,660
Total Cost of Attendance
$65,970
Application fee: $50 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$25,278
$30,001 – $48,000
$25,696
$48,001 – $75,000
$32,679
$75,001 – $110,000
$36,778
Over $110,000
$41,134
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$13,00025%percentile
$26,000Medianpercentile
$28,52075%percentile
$35,40090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $23,250
↓ $2,750
No Pell $21,283
↓ $4,717
Dependent students $22,000
↓ $4,000
Independent students $23,000
↓ $3,000
Female students $22,798
↓ $3,202
Male students $21,500
↓ $4,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $6,500, less than completers ($26,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
81% of full-time students who enrolled at Butler University graduate within six years, and 88% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
81%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
88%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Strong completion signals. Most students who start, finish.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Butler University earn a median of $77,235 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$77,235
Earning > $25K
90%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$66,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$73,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$69,500
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$65,300
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$70,100
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $6,700, about 9% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
7.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 94% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Butler University is home to 4,317 students, a mid-sized community.
Total Enrolled
4,317
Part-Time
1%
First-Generation
13%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 76.8%3,316
Hispanic 7.4%318
Black 5.2%225
Other 4.4%188
Asian 4.1%175
International 1.3%56
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Butler University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityIndianapolis, Indiana
Housing
Mostly residential2,459 beds on campus
Adult Learners
1%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Butler University offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
76 distinct programs across
20 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Butler University is 11:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
11:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$504M
Solid financial position
Avg Faculty Salary
$83,695
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
371 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
113
30%
$103,803
Associate Professors
96
26%
$89,789
Assistant Professors
65
18%
$75,538
Instructors
77
21%
$62,823
Lecturers
20
5%
$53,422
Pros & Cons of Butler University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Butler University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Strong six-year graduation rate
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
High net price compared to most US colleges
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, Butler University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Butler University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Butler University.
Is Butler University hard to get into?
Butler University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 85.1%.
What is the acceptance rate at Butler University?
Butler University has an acceptance rate of 85.1%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Butler University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Butler University scored between 1160 and 1350 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Butler University?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Butler University scored between 26 and 31 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Butler University cost?
The average net price after aid at Butler University is $36,041 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Butler University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $77,235 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $36,041 per year. That's roughly 2.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Butler University known for?
Butler University is best known for its programs in Finance, Pharmacy, Medical Clinical Sciences. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Butler University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Butler University are $77,235, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Butler University accredited?
Yes. Butler University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Butler University?
Butler University enrolls 4,317 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Butler University?
Butler University graduates 81% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Butler University a public or private college?
Butler University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Butler University located?
Butler University is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
What programs does Butler University offer?
Butler University offers 76 distinct programs. The most popular include Finance, Pharmacy, Medical Clinical Sciences.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Butler University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Butler University is 11:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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