Overview
Butler University is a private college established in 1855. With an undergraduate enrollment of 4,519 (fall 2023), it sits on a 301-acre urban campus and follows a semester-based academic schedule. In the 2025 Best Colleges rankings, Butler holds the #1 spot among Regional Universities in the Midwest. Tuition and fees are $47,560.
At-a-Glance
- Setting: City
- Tuition & Fees: $47,560
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,519
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Location: 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, 46208
2025 Rankings:
- #1 in Regional Universities Midwest
- #35 in Best Value Schools
- Ranked in Business Programs
Butler University Admissions
Butler has an 86% acceptance rate, with early applicants admitted at 93.5%. For admitted students who submitted test scores, half scored between 1180-1360 on the SAT or 26-31 on the ACT. The remaining applicants scored either above or below these ranges. The application deadline is August 1.
Admissions officers prioritize GPA, and they also consider high school class rank and recommendation letters (if provided). For more details on academic factors, check out College Compass.
Admissions Stats:
- Application Deadline: August 1
- Application Fee: $50
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
Butler University Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition at Butler is **47,560∗∗,slightlybelowthenationalaverageof47,560∗∗,slightlybelowthenationalaverageof47,890. This “sticker price” includes fees for services like libraries, gyms, tech resources, and health centers.
When budgeting, consider the total cost (66,690),whichcovershousing,meals,books,supplies,andpersonalexpenses.Afteraidandscholarships,theaverage∗∗netprice∗∗dropsto∗∗66,690),whichcovershousing,meals,books,supplies,andpersonalexpenses.Afteraidandscholarships,theaverage∗∗netprice∗∗dropsto∗∗38,434** for students with financial need.
Tuition & Expenses (2024-25):
- Tuition & Fees: $47,560
- Net Price (2021-2022): $37,339 (federal loan recipients)
Net Price by Family Income (2021-2022):
| Family Income | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 0–0–30,000 | $25,600 |
| 30,001–30,001–48,000 | $28,804 |
| 48,001–48,001–75,000 | $36,345 |
| 75,001–75,001–110,000 | $40,785 |
| $110,001+ | $41,507 |
- Food & Housing: $17,250
Butler University Academics
With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, nearly half of Butler’s classes have fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include:
- Business, Management, Marketing (32%)
- Communication, Journalism (10%)
- Health Professions (10%)
- Social Sciences (9%)
- Biological & Biomedical Sciences (6%)
The freshman retention rate—a key measure of student satisfaction—is 88%.
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