Butler vs. IU South Bend

Comparable Facts

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

Butler University is larger than IU South Bend based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 4,631 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Indiana University South Bend is in South Bend, IN (Midsize City setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University South Bend is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Indiana University South Bend 15:1.

Butler vs. IU South Bend Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or IU South Bend? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Indiana University South Bend than Butler ($9,003 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University South Bend are 38% lower than at Butler University ($10,184 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 464.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU South Bend (about $39,136 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.5% higher at Butler than at Indiana University South Bend (about $24,749 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Indiana University South Bend (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 232% larger than aid received by Indiana University South Bend students ($27,790 vs. $8,371).

Butler vs. IU South Bend Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or IU South Bend? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between IU South Bend and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 190 points higher than at IU South Bend (1070).
• Incoming Butler students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at IU South Bend).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; Indiana University South Bend 950/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; Indiana University South Bend 21/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; IU South Bend - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.68 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at IU South Bend (3.24).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than IU South Bend (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 39% at IU South Bend.

Butler vs. IU South Bend Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and IU South Bend? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Butler University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Indiana University South Bend's (22%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $31,300 more per year than IU South Bend graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University South Bend graduates have a $2,470 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($24,530 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU South Bend graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU South Bend students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.