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Butler University

Butler University is a private campus in Indianapolis proper — federal locale codes class it as urban.

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$28,607

family income
under $30k

$31,406

$30–48k

$36,016

$48–75k

$39,491

$75–110k

$42,961

over $110k

Average net price

$36,0412023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Butler University rose from $20,117 (2008) to $36,041 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$20,117
2009	$22,447
2010	$27,346
2011	$28,344
2012	$29,103
2013	$30,814
2014	$32,575
2015	$31,211
2016	$36,249
2017	$35,488
2018	$37,645
2019	$39,430
2020	$36,631
2021	$37,339
2022	$38,472
2023	$36,041

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$65,9702024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Butler University rose from $40,526 (2009) to $65,970 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$40,526
2010	$41,836
2011	$43,838
2012	$45,748
2013	$47,010
2014	$48,784
2015	$50,538
2016	$52,071
2017	$54,349
2018	$56,406
2019	$59,326
2020	$61,623
2021	$62,950
2022	$62,673
2023	$64,503
2024	$65,970

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$18,040
2001	$18,940
2002	$19,990
2003	$20,990
2004	$22,484
2005	$23,774
2006	$25,414
2007	$26,806
2008	$28,266
2013	$34,368
2014	$35,652
2015	$37,010
2016	$38,360
2017	$39,860
2018	$41,120
2019	$42,360
2020	$43,400
2021	$43,400
2022	$44,460
2023	$45,980

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Reported tuition is $47,560 before grants and other attendance costs. At Butler University, aid and other costs change the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 4,317 undergrads, Butler University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

80.4% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Butler University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

80.4%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Butler University rose from 60.5% (entered 1991) to 80.4% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	60.5%
1992 cohort	60.4%
1993 cohort	65.4%
1994 cohort	68.6%
1995 cohort	68.8%
1996 cohort	66.1%
1997 cohort	68.8%
1998 cohort	70.9%
1999 cohort	70%
2000 cohort	68.2%
2001 cohort	73.6%
2002 cohort	73.9%
2003 cohort	75.6%
2004 cohort	73.2%
2005 cohort	72.7%
2006 cohort	73.1%
2007 cohort	73.9%
2008 cohort	77.8%
2009 cohort	76.2%
2010 cohort	74.1%
2011 cohort	78.7%
2012 cohort	82.3%
2013 cohort	82.3%
2014 cohort	82.3%
2015 cohort	83.8%
2016 cohort	80.8%
2017 cohort	80.2%
2018 cohort	80.4%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$16,500	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$16,300	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$16,250	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$16,250	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$16,250	$4,815
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$16,250	$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$16,250	$4,905
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$16,650	$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$17,030	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$17,125	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$17,125	$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$17,125	$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$18,125	$9,750
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$20,750	$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,250	$10,650
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$25,000	$9,950
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$26,063	$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$27,000	$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$27,000	$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$27,000	$8,500
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$26,595	$6,390
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$26,298	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$26,176	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$26,000	$6,500

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$61,627

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$71,943

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$77,235

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Butler University admitted 8,058 of 9,471 applicants in Fall 2024. The 85.1% rate describes that application pool.

85.1%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $45,980 tuition · 2023–24 4,317 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1160–13501600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Butler University received 9,471 applications and admitted 8,058 (85.1%), with 1,038 enrolling.

Butler University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Butler University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 590–680 and Math was 570–670 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1160–1350 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	590	630	680
SAT Math	570	620	670
ACT Composite	26	28	31

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

85.1%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	84.5%
Fall 2002	80.1%
Fall 2003	77.4%
Fall 2004	71.7%
Fall 2005	72.3%
Fall 2006	73.9%
Fall 2007	75.7%
Fall 2008	71.8%
Fall 2009	78.9%
Fall 2010	73.2%
Fall 2011	60.9%
Fall 2012	65.9%
Fall 2013	66.1%
Fall 2014	68.5%
Fall 2015	70.4%
Fall 2016	72.7%
Fall 2017	65.1%
Fall 2018	67.8%
Fall 2019	73.2%
Fall 2020	75.7%
Fall 2021	80.5%
Fall 2022	82.1%
Fall 2023	85.9%
Fall 2024	85.1%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1160–1350Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1070	1260
Fall 2002	1060	1260
Fall 2003	1090	1280
Fall 2004	1070	1280
Fall 2005	1080	1280
Fall 2006	1070	1280
Fall 2007	1050	1280
Fall 2008	1080	1290
Fall 2009	1060	1280
Fall 2010	1050	1250
Fall 2011	1070	1260
Fall 2012	1070	1260
Fall 2013	1060	1270
Fall 2014	1060	1280
Fall 2015	1050	1250
Fall 2016	1060	1268
Fall 2017	1150	1320
Fall 2018	1170	1330
Fall 2019	1150	1330
Fall 2020	1150	1320
Fall 2021	1150	1340
Fall 2022	1110	1320
Fall 2023	1180	1360
Fall 2024	1160	1350

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

26–31Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	24	28
Fall 2002	23	28
Fall 2003	24	29
Fall 2004	25	29
Fall 2005	24	29
Fall 2006	25	29
Fall 2007	24	29
Fall 2008	25	29
Fall 2009	25	30
Fall 2010	25	30
Fall 2011	25	30
Fall 2012	25	30
Fall 2013	25	30
Fall 2014	25	29
Fall 2015	25	30
Fall 2016	25	30
Fall 2017	25	30
Fall 2018	25	30
Fall 2019	24	30
Fall 2020	25	30
Fall 2021	25	31
Fall 2022	24	30
Fall 2023	26	31
Fall 2024	26	31

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

4,317Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Butler University rose from 3,496 (Fall 2002) to 4,317 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	3,496
Fall 2003	3,637
Fall 2004	3,706
Fall 2005	3,635
Fall 2006	3,635
Fall 2007	3,593
Fall 2008	3,607
Fall 2009	3,710
Fall 2010	3,850
Fall 2011	3,846
Fall 2012	3,911
Fall 2013	3,998
Fall 2014	4,013
Fall 2015	4,001
Fall 2016	4,235
Fall 2017	4,197
Fall 2018	4,553
Fall 2019	4,535
Fall 2020	4,404
Fall 2021	4,388
Fall 2022	4,304
Fall 2023	4,383
Fall 2024	4,317

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

87%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Butler University has held near 87% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	88%
Fall 2003 cohort	88%
Fall 2004 cohort	87%
Fall 2005 cohort	87%
Fall 2006 cohort	86%
Fall 2007 cohort	89%
Fall 2008 cohort	90%
Fall 2009 cohort	89%
Fall 2010 cohort	87%
Fall 2011 cohort	91%
Fall 2012 cohort	91%
Fall 2013 cohort	90%
Fall 2014 cohort	89%
Fall 2015 cohort	93%
Fall 2016 cohort	89%
Fall 2017 cohort	89%
Fall 2018 cohort	88%
Fall 2019 cohort	86%
Fall 2020 cohort	87%
Fall 2021 cohort	89%
Fall 2022 cohort	88%
Fall 2023 cohort	87%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Butler University

15% of Butler University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Butler University as a primarily residential campus of 4,317 undergraduates — and 87.5% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Butler University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1160–1350 — their midpoint is above the IN four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Butler University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Butler University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Butler University85.1%

Indiana median77.2%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Butler University$47,560

Indiana median$32,352

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Butler University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Butler University$77,235

Indiana median$52,071

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Butler University, Indiana and national reference values
Metric & basis	Butler University	Indiana median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	85.1%	77.2%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$47,560	$32,352	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$77,235	$52,071	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Butler University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Butler University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 5 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Accounting and Related Services	$93,584
Insurance	$89,343
Finance and Financial Management Services	$81,344
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication	$75,382
Marketing	$70,154

These 5 fields listed for Butler University measure earnings after completion. The $77,235 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 59 additional Butler University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Butler University report?

Butler University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1160–1350 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Butler University's acceptance rate?

85.1% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 8,058 admitted from 9,471 applicants.

How much does Butler University cost?

At Butler University, tuition is $47,560. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Butler University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $77,235. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Indiana

Bethel University — 97.7% admitted
Ball State University — 85.5% admitted
University of Southern Indiana — 95.8% admitted
Indiana University-Kokomo — 86.5% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.