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Butler University

Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedUrban

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

Butler University is a private institution in Indianapolis with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1282, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 4.4K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

80% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $77,235 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $38,472.

Established
1855
Motto
Education, Research, Service
Mascot
Butler Blue IVHink
Type
Private university
Conference
Division I of the NCAA
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

86%Acceptance
1282SAT Avg
4,383Students
11:1Student:Faculty
80%Grad Rate
$77,235Earnings 10yr
$38,472Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate85.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1282

Reading & WritingMid: 625
590680
MathMid: 620
590680

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 28
2631

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$45,980
Room & Board$15,870
Books & Supplies$1,300
Total Cost of Attendance$64,503
Average Net Price$38,472
Median Debt at Graduation$26,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$276

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$28,607
$30–48K$31,406
$48–75K$36,016
$75–110K$39,491
$110K+$42,961

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

58.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$22,238

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

35

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

9

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

9

Drug Arrests

7

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (94)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

88%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
4,383
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
13%
Pell Grant Recipients
14%

Race & Ethnicity

White 79%
Black 4%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 4%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate80.2%
Freshman Retention88.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$61,627
10 Years$77,235

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#1
vs 2024
Forbes
#216
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#163
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Butler Bulldogs

GolfSoccerCross countryBasketballBasketball formerDivision iBasketball from

History & Fun Facts

  • The university was founded by members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), although it was never controlled by that church.
  • The university established the first professorship in English literature and the first Department of English in the state of Indiana.
  • The chair was the first endowed position at an American university designated for a female professor.
  • The university was renamed for Ovid Butler "in recognition of Ovid Butler's inspirational vision, determined leadership, and financial support".

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

103Above Average

Estimated from IN state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Indianapolispop. 880K
5 mi(9 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
160 mi(277 min)
Columbuspop. 900K
168 mi(291 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IND Indianapolis11 mi
CVG Cincinnati97 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare173 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA805 mi · ~23h 15m drive
New York, NY644 mi · ~18h 36m drive
Hartford, CT718 mi · ~20h 45m drive
Providence, RI783 mi · ~22h 37m drive
Albany, NY673 mi · ~19h 27m drive
Syracuse, NY564 mi · ~16h 18m drive
Rochester, NY499 mi · ~14h 25m drive
Buffalo, NY433 mi · ~12h 31m drive
Philadelphia, PA583 mi · ~16h 51m drive
Pittsburgh, PA329 mi · ~9h 30m drive
Harrisburg, PA492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Newark, NJ635 mi · ~18h 21m drive
Washington, DC492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Baltimore, MD510 mi · ~14h 44m drive
Atlanta, GA432 mi · ~12h 29m drive
Charlotte, NC432 mi · ~12h 29m drive
Raleigh, NC497 mi · ~14h 21m drive
Miami, FL1032 mi · ~29h 49m drive
Orlando, FL827 mi · ~23h 53m drive
Tampa, FL848 mi · ~24h 30m drive
Nashville, TN256 mi · ~7h 24m drive
New Orleans, LA718 mi · ~20h 45m drive
Richmond, VA497 mi · ~14h 21m drive
Chicago, IL160 mi · ~4h 37m drive
Detroit, MI237 mi · ~6h 51m drive
Minneapolis, MN507 mi · ~14h 39m drive
St. Louis, MO231 mi · ~6h 40m drive
Kansas City, MO451 mi · ~13h 2m drive
Indianapolis, IN5 mi · ~9 min drive
Columbus, OH168 mi · ~4h 51m drive
Cleveland, OH261 mi · ~7h 32m drive
Milwaukee, WI239 mi · ~6h 54m drive
Dallas, TX766 mi · ~22h 8m drive
Houston, TX869 mi · ~25h 6m drive
Austin, TX929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
San Antonio, TX1002 mi · ~28h 57m drive
Los Angeles, CA1805 mi · ~52h 9m drive
San Francisco, CA1944 mi · ~56h 10m drive
San Diego, CA1785 mi · ~51h 34m drive
Seattle, WA1865 mi · ~53h 53m drive
Portland, OR1878 mi · ~54h 15m drive
Denver, CO997 mi · ~28h 48m drive
Phoenix, AZ1496 mi · ~43h 13m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1352 mi · ~39h 3m drive
Honolulu, HI4337 mi · ~125h 17m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Butler University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications