Butler vs. IU

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

Butler University
Indiana University Bloomington

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IU (78.2% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1290 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: IU. Average net price is $17,270 vs $38,438 at Butler.
  • Graduation: Butler 72% vs IU 72%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Butler $68,400 vs IU $56,200 (median).
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Key differences

Butler University Indiana University Bloomington
Acceptance rate
IU more selective
Butler85.1%
IU78.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
IU higher
Butler1160-1350
IU1170-1400
Average net price
IU $21,168 less
Butler$38,438
IU$17,270
In-state tuition
IU $35,416 less
Butler$47,560
IU$12,144
Out-of-state tuition
IU $5,669 less
Butler$47,560
IU$41,891
Graduation rate
Butler +0 pts
Butler72%
IU72%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$12,200
Butler$68,400
IU$56,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Butler 9,471
  • IU 67,658
  • Admitted
  • Butler 8,058
  • IU 52,918
  • Acceptance rate
  • Butler 85.1%
  • IU 78.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Butler 12.9%
  • IU 18.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Butler 1260
  • IU 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • Butler 28
  • IU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Butler 3.92
  • IU 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • Butler A
  • IU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Butler Difficult
  • IU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Butler
  • IU
  • SAT range
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • IU 1170-1400
  • ACT range
  • Butler 26-31
  • IU 27-33
  • Submit test scores
  • Butler Test optional
  • IU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • IU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • IU $12,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • IU $41,891
  • Room & board
  • Butler $16,430
  • IU $13,984
  • Average net price
  • Butler $38,438
  • IU $17,270
  • Average grant aid
  • Butler $27,790
  • IU $10,487
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Butler 97%
  • IU 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • Butler 72%
  • IU 72%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Butler $68,400
  • IU $56,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Butler 84%
  • IU 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Butler $27,000
  • IU $22,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Butler $279
  • IU $232
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Butler 11:1
  • IU 18:1
  • Popular majors
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • IU
    • Business (21%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Education (7%)
  • Location
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • IU Bloomington, IN
  • Setting
  • Butler Large City
  • IU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Butler 5,746
  • IU 48,424
  • Type
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • IU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Butler #209
  • IU #207

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 5,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
  • Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Bloomington are 14.9% lower than at Butler University ($13,984 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Butler than at Indiana University Bloomington (about $5,669 more per year; $47,560 vs. $41,891).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Indiana University Bloomington (97% vs. 73%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 165% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($27,790 vs. $10,487).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at IU than at Butler (30 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Butler and IU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at IU (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 18.2% at IU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 72%).

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

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