Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, with 5,746 students, 4,489 of them undergraduates, in fall 2024. Its pros are high graduation rates, small classes, strong pre-professional programs such as pharmacy and a Big East athletics profile; its main con is cost, with an average net price of $38,438 even after grants.
Below are the pros and cons in detail, followed by cost, outcome and accreditation figures from the federal College Navigator database, so you can decide whether Butler is a good school for you.
Butler University at a Glance
- Type: private not-for-profit university.
- Location: a 295-acre campus about five miles north of downtown Indianapolis (“City: Large”).
- Founded: 1855 by Ovid Butler, opening as North-Western Christian University; renamed Butler University in 1877.
- Academics: over 60 majors across its colleges, including a College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
- Enrollment (fall 2024): 5,746 total, 4,489 undergraduate.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11 to 1.
- Admission: 85% of applicants were admitted for fall 2024.
Pros: What Butler University Does Well
- Most students graduate, and on time. Of full-time freshmen who began in fall 2018, 72% earned a bachelor’s degree in four years and 79% in six. 87% of the fall 2023 freshmen returned for their second year.
- Small classes. An 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio means most courses are taught in small sections by faculty rather than in large lecture halls.
- Strong regional reputation. Butler ranked first among Midwest Regional Universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges and first in the Midwest for innovation and undergraduate teaching.
- Big-city access with a self-contained campus. The campus sits a short drive from downtown Indianapolis, which gives students internship and job options in a large city.
- Large grants for most freshmen. In 2023-2024, 97% of full-time beginning students received grants or scholarships, averaging $27,790.
- Big East athletics and an active social scene. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I and joined the Big East Conference in 2013; the men’s basketball team played in the national championship game in 2010 and 2011. There are more than 150 student organizations.
Cons: What to Weigh Before You Enroll at Butler
- It is expensive. Tuition and fees were $47,560 in 2024-2025, and the estimated total cost of living on campus was $69,950.
- A high net price even with aid. The average net price for full-time beginning students was $38,438 in 2023-2024. For families earning up to $30,000 it averaged $25,278, which is a large bill for a low-income household.
- Borrowing is common. 49% of full-time beginning students took out student loans in 2023-2024, averaging $10,945.
- Greek life is a big part of campus. Over 35% of undergraduates join a social fraternity or sorority. Students who are not interested may feel the social scene leans that way.
- Smaller program range than a large university. With about 4,500 undergraduates and a master’s-level Carnegie classification, Butler offers fewer niche majors and research labs than a large research university.
What Butler Costs: Tuition, Housing and Net Price
| Item (2024-2025 unless noted) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $47,560 |
| On-campus food and housing | $16,430 |
| Total cost, living on campus | $69,950 |
| Average net price (2023-2024) | $38,438 |
By family income, the 2023-2024 average net price ranged from $25,278 (up to $30,000) to $41,134 (over $110,000). Run Butler’s net price calculator and compare the result with your in-state public options.
Is Butler University a Good School? What the Numbers Say
Academically, yes. An 80% overall graduation rate, 87% freshman retention and an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio put Butler among the stronger private universities in the Midwest, and enrolled freshmen had a median ACT composite of 28.
Whether it is a good choice for you depends mostly on price. If Butler’s aid offer brings your cost close to a public university’s, it is a strong option. If it does not, the extra debt deserves a hard look.
Who Accredits Butler University?
Butler is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with accreditation dating from 1931, and College Navigator lists its next review for 2033. Individual programs, including pharmacy, hold their own programmatic accreditation.
Who Butler Suits, and Who Should Look Elsewhere
A good fit for: students who want small classes and a four-year finish, pre-pharmacy and health sciences students, business and education majors, and students who want Big East sports and a lively campus near a big city.
Worth comparing alternatives if: your aid offer leaves a large gap, you want a large research university, or you prefer a campus where Greek life plays a smaller role.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Butler hard to get into? It admitted 85% of applicants for fall 2024; enrolled freshmen had a median ACT of 28.
- Is Butler a Division I school? Yes. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I in the Big East.
- How many students attend Butler? 5,746 in fall 2024, including 4,489 undergraduates.
- Is Butler University religious? It was founded by members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) but was never controlled by that church.