Butler vs. Elon

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

Butler University
Elon University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Elon (66.3% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1210 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Butler. Average net price is $38,438 vs $44,440 at Elon.
  • Graduation: Butler 72% vs Elon 82%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Butler $68,400 vs Elon $56,200 (median).
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Key differences

Butler University Elon University
Acceptance rate
Elon more selective
Butler85.1%
Elon66.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Butler higher
Butler1160-1350
Elon1130-1280
Average net price
Butler $6,002 less
Butler$38,438
Elon$44,440
In-state tuition
Elon $602 less
Butler$47,560
Elon$46,958
Out-of-state tuition
Elon $602 less
Butler$47,560
Elon$46,958
Graduation rate
Elon +10 pts
Butler72%
Elon82%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$12,200
Butler$68,400
Elon$56,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Butler 9,471
  • Elon 18,105
  • Admitted
  • Butler 8,058
  • Elon 12,012
  • Acceptance rate
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Elon 66.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Elon 13.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Butler 1260
  • Elon 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • Butler 28
  • Elon 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Butler 3.92
  • Elon 3.65
  • Typical high school grades
  • Butler A
  • Elon A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Butler Difficult
  • Elon Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Butler
  • Elon Low
  • SAT range
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • Elon 1130-1280
  • ACT range
  • Butler 26-31
  • Elon 23-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Butler Test optional
  • Elon Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Elon Jan 10, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Elon $46,958
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Elon $46,958
  • Room & board
  • Butler $16,430
  • Elon $14,985
  • Average net price
  • Butler $38,438
  • Elon $44,440
  • Average grant aid
  • Butler $27,790
  • Elon $17,867
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Butler 97%
  • Elon 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Butler 72%
  • Elon 82%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Butler $68,400
  • Elon $56,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Butler 84%
  • Elon 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Butler $27,000
  • Elon $23,250
  • Median loan payment
  • Butler $279
  • Elon $240
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Butler 11:1
  • Elon 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Elon
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (19%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Elon Elon, NC
  • Setting
  • Butler Large City
  • Elon Small Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Butler 5,746
  • Elon 7,239
  • Type
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • Elon Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Butler #209
  • Elon #140

Comparable Facts

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

Elon University is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (7,239 students vs. 5,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Elon University is in Elon, NC (Small Suburban setting).
  • Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Elon University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 8.8% lower than at Butler University ($14,985 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Butler than at Elon University (about $602 more per year; $47,560 vs. $46,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Elon University (97% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 55.5% larger than aid received by Elon University students ($27,790 vs. $17,867).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Butler than at Elon (28 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Butler and Elon.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Elon Jan 10, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.27 higher than at Elon (3.65).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 13.4% at Elon.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elon University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($23,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Elon graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($240 vs. $279).
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Butler students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 84%).

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

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