Butler vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with University of Louisville in Louisville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Louisville is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (23,065 students vs. 5,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

Butler vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Louisville? 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 University of Louisville than Butler ($19,785 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisville are 23.5% lower than at Butler University ($12,576 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 262.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Louisville (about $34,424 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $13,136.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.3% higher at Butler than at University of Louisville (about $18,078 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $29,482.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Butler University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 89.3% larger than aid received by University of Louisville students ($27,790 vs. $14,677).

Butler vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or Louisville? 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 Louisville and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 100 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming Butler students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

Butler vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and Louisville? 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 University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $23,200 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $7,344 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($19,656 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($203 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 58%)

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.