Butler vs. Iowa

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

Butler University
University of Iowa

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Iowa (83.6% admitted vs 85.1%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Iowa. Average net price is $21,765 vs $38,438 at Butler.
  • Graduation: Butler 72% vs Iowa 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Butler $68,400 vs Iowa $59,800 (median).
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Key differences

Butler University University of Iowa
Acceptance rate
Iowa more selective
Butler85.1%
Iowa83.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Butler higher
Butler1160-1350
Iowa1130-1330
Average net price
Iowa $16,673 less
Butler$38,438
Iowa$21,765
In-state tuition
Iowa $36,277 less
Butler$47,560
Iowa$11,283
Out-of-state tuition
Iowa $14,189 less
Butler$47,560
Iowa$33,371
Graduation rate
Butler +1 pts
Butler72%
Iowa71%
Median earnings (10 years)
Butler +$8,600
Butler$68,400
Iowa$59,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Butler 9,471
  • Iowa 27,770
  • Admitted
  • Butler 8,058
  • Iowa 23,222
  • Acceptance rate
  • Butler 85.1%
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Butler 12.9%
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Butler 1260
  • Iowa 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • Butler 28
  • Iowa 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • Butler 3.92
  • Iowa 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • Butler A
  • Iowa A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Butler Difficult
  • Iowa Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Butler
  • Iowa
  • SAT range
  • Butler 1160-1350
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • ACT range
  • Butler 26-31
  • Iowa 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • Butler Test optional
  • Iowa Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Butler Aug 1, 2027
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Iowa $11,283
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Butler $47,560
  • Iowa $33,371
  • Room & board
  • Butler $16,430
  • Iowa $12,920
  • Average net price
  • Butler $38,438
  • Iowa $21,765
  • Average grant aid
  • Butler $27,790
  • Iowa $9,865
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Butler 97%
  • Iowa 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • Butler 72%
  • Iowa 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Butler $68,400
  • Iowa $59,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Butler 84%
  • Iowa 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Butler $27,000
  • Iowa $21,616
  • Median loan payment
  • Butler $279
  • Iowa $223
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Butler 11:1
  • Iowa 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Butler
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • Butler Indianapolis, IN
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • Setting
  • Butler Large City
  • Iowa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Butler 5,746
  • Iowa 30,779
  • Type
  • Butler Private 4 Year
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Butler #209
  • Iowa #233

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Iowa is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 5,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
  • Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 21.4% lower than at Butler University ($12,920 vs. $16,430).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 42.5% higher at Butler than at University of Iowa (about $14,189 more per year; $47,560 vs. $33,371).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at University of Iowa (97% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 181.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($27,790 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Butler than at Iowa (28 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Butler and Iowa.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Butler average a 3.92 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Iowa (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($223 vs. $279).
  • More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 70%).

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

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