Butler vs. Denison

Butler University and Denison University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Butler University
Denison University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Denison (17.4% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1410 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Butler. Average net price is $38,438 vs $43,721 at Denison.
  • Graduation: Butler 72% vs Denison 79%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Butler $68,400 vs Denison $56,100 (median).
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Key differences

Butler University Denison University
Acceptance rate
Denison more selective
Butler85.1%
Denison17.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Denison higher
Butler1160-1350
Denison1320-1490
Average net price
Butler $5,283 less
Butler$38,438
Denison$43,721
In-state tuition
Butler $19,440 less
Butler$47,560
Denison$67,000
Out-of-state tuition
Butler $19,440 less
Butler$47,560
Denison$67,000
Graduation rate
Denison +7 pts
Butler72%
Denison79%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$12,300
Butler$68,400
Denison$56,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Butler 9,471
  • Denison 15,012
  • Admitted
  • Butler 8,058
  • Denison 2,611
  • Acceptance rate
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Denison 17.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Denison 23.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Butler 1260
  • Denison 1410
  • Typical ACT score
  • Butler 28
  • Denison 31
  • Average high school GPA
  • Butler 3.92
  • Denison 3.76
  • Typical high school grades
  • Butler A
  • Denison A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Butler Difficult
  • Denison Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Butler
  • Denison Very High
  • SAT range
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • Denison 1320-1490
  • ACT range
  • Butler 26-31
  • Denison 30-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Butler Test optional
  • Denison Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Denison Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Denison $67,000
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Denison $67,000
  • Room & board
  • Butler $16,430
  • Denison $16,400
  • Average net price
  • Butler $38,438
  • Denison $43,721
  • Average grant aid
  • Butler $27,790
  • Denison $38,179
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Butler 97%
  • Denison 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • Butler 72%
  • Denison 79%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Butler $68,400
  • Denison $56,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Butler 84%
  • Denison 83%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Butler $27,000
  • Denison $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Butler $279
  • Denison $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Butler 11:1
  • Denison 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Denison
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Communication (7%)
  • Location
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Denison Granville, OH
  • Setting
  • Butler Large City
  • Denison Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Butler 5,746
  • Denison 2,394
  • Type
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • Denison Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Butler #209
  • Denison #95

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Butler University is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 2,394 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Denison University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 0.2% lower than at Butler University ($16,400 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 40.9% higher at Denison than at Butler University (about $19,440 more per year; $67,000 vs. $47,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Denison University (97% vs. 94%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 37.4% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($38,179 vs. $27,790).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Denison than at Butler (31 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Butler and Denison.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.16 higher than at Denison (3.76).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Denison University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Denison graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($268 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 83%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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