Getting in
For Fall 2025, 11,139 first-year students applied to Butler, 9,144 were admitted and 1,292 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 82.1%.
Source: Butler Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 5,481 | 4,291 | 78.3% |
| Out-of-state | 5,255 | 4,666 | 88.8% |
| International | 403 | 187 | 46.4% |
Source: Butler Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. Butler's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by college or major.
Source: Butler Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision (Nursing only). Early decision is open only to Nursing applicants. The Common Data Set does not count early action applicants, so it gives no early action rate.
Early decision (Nursing only), Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | 20 | 17 | 85% |
Source: Butler Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Most majors need only the Common App. Two areas ask for more:
- Jordan College of the Arts. Art, Arts Administration, Dance, Music and Theatre majors complete an arts supplement with the Common App, then an audition, portfolio review and/or interview; Butler emails you to pick a date. Art History majors are exempt.
Source: Butler Admission, Applying as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Nursing. The only program with a binding Early Decision round (November 1). Early Decision applicants get priority admission consideration for Nursing.
Source: Butler Admission, Applying Early Decision (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: Butler Admission, Applying as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
100 majors across 6 schools. Every bachelor's degree major on Butler's official program finder (majors.butler.edu), grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors, pre-professional tracks without a bachelor's degree, exploratory (undeclared) options and graduate programs are left out.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences54
- Actuarial Science (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Anthropology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Anthropology and Psychology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Anthropology and Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Anthropology and Sociology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Astronomy and Astrophysics (Bachelor of Science)
- Biochemistry (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Bioengineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Biology (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Chemical Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Chemistry (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Chinese (Bachelor of Arts)
- Classics (Bachelor of Arts)
- Computer Science (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Criminology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Criminology and Psychology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Data Science (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Economics (Bachelor of Arts)
- English (Bachelor of Arts)
- Environmental Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- French (Bachelor of Arts)
- German (Bachelor of Arts)
- History (Bachelor of Arts)
- History and Anthropology (Bachelor of Arts)
- History and Classics (Bachelor of Arts)
- History and Political Science (Bachelor of Arts)
- Individualized Major (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- International Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- International Studies and Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Mathematics (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
- Multilingual (Bachelor of Arts)
- Neuroscience (Bachelor of Science)
- Peace and Conflict Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Philosophy (Bachelor of Arts)
- Philosophy and Psychology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Philosophy and Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Philosophy and Sociology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Physics (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Political Science (Bachelor of Arts)
- Political Science and Sociology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Psychology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Psychology and Political Science (Bachelor of Arts)
- Public Health (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Religious Leadership (Bachelor of Arts)
- Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Science, Technology, and Society (Bachelor of Arts)
- Sociology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Sociology & Psychology with a Specialization in Social Work/Social Policy (Bachelor of Arts)
- Sociology and Criminology (Bachelor of Arts)
- Software Engineering (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Spanish (Bachelor of Arts)
- Statistics (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
Source: Butler University, Explore All Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Communication8
- Critical Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Film and Media Production (Bachelor of Arts)
- Journalism (Bachelor of Arts)
- Music Industry Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Organizational Communication and Leadership (Bachelor of Arts)
- Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (Bachelor of Arts)
- Sports Media (Bachelor of Arts)
- Strategic Communication: Public Relations and Advertising (Bachelor of Arts)
Source: Butler University, Explore All Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Education and Human Development5
- Elementary Education (Bachelor of Science)
- Kinesiology (Bachelor of Science)
- Middle/Secondary Education (Bachelor of Science)
- Special Education, Mild Intervention (Bachelor of Science)
- Youth and Community Development (Bachelor of Science)
Source: Butler University, Explore All Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Health Professions5
- Health Sciences (Bachelor of Science Health Science)
- Healthcare and Business (Bachelor of Science Health Science)
- Nursing (Bachelor of Science)
- Pharmaceutical Sciences (Bachelor of Science)
- Pre-Respiratory Therapy (Bachelor of Science)
Source: Butler University, Explore All Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Jordan College of the Arts19
- Acting (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Art + Design (Bachelor of Arts)
- Art Education (Bachelor of Arts)
- Art History (Bachelor of Arts)
- Arts Administration (Bachelor of Science)
- Dance, Arts Administration (Bachelor of Science)
- Dance, Pedagogy (Bachelor of Arts)
- Dance, Performance (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Graphic Design (Bachelor of Arts)
- Jazz Studies (Bachelor of Music)
- Music (Bachelor of Arts)
- Music Composition (Bachelor of Music)
- Music Education (Bachelor of Music)
- Music Performance (Bachelor of Music)
- Musical Arts (Bachelor of Music Arts)
- Performance and Music Education (Bachelor of Music)
- Photography (Bachelor of Arts)
- Studio Art (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Theatre (Bachelor of Arts)
Source: Butler University, Explore All Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Lacy School of Business9
- Accounting (Bachelor of Science)
- Business Technology and Analytics (Bachelor of Science)
- Economics (Bachelor of Science)
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Bachelor of Science)
- Finance (Bachelor of Science)
- International Business (Bachelor of Science)
- Marketing (Bachelor of Science)
- Risk Management and Insurance (Bachelor of Science)
- Supply Chain (Bachelor of Science)
Source: Butler University, Explore All Programs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | Rolling, October to December | No |
| Early Decision (Nursing only) | November 1 | December | Yes |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | Rolling, December to February | No |
| Rolling admission | After February 1 | not published | No |
The application opens August 1. Butler strongly encourages applying by November 1 for the fullest scholarship and admission consideration; Early Action also brings priority consideration for the Honors Program. Applications are still accepted after February 1, with less chance at scholarships. The enrollment deposit is due May 1 (February 1 and $500, non-refundable, for Early Decision). The application fee is $50.
Source: Butler Admission, Applying as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Decision is a binding commitment and only for Nursing applicants. If you apply this way, do not apply Early Decision or Single Choice/Restricted Early Action anywhere else; if admitted to Nursing, you withdraw all other applications and enroll at Butler.
Source: Butler Admission, Applying Early Decision (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Every applicant may apply with or without SAT or ACT scores. Butler suggests scores may help in historically more selective programs (Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Exploratory Natural Sciences and the College of Health Professions majors), and homeschooled students and students whose schools give no grades are asked for scores unless they request test-optional review from their counselor. If you apply test-optional, scores are not used even if Butler has them. You may change your choice once before a decision, and the ACT science section is not required.
Source: Butler Admission, Test-Optional Admission (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by July 1.
Source: Butler Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked Butler's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: Butler Admission, Applying as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at Butler, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $50,860 |
|---|---|
| Required fees | $990 |
| Food and housing (on campus) | $17,730 |
| Books and supplies | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,400 |
| Other expenses | $3,000 |
| Total | $75,080 |
For a first-year student living on campus.
Source: Butler Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections G1 and G5. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $25,278 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $25,696 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $32,679 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $36,778 |
| Over $110,000 | $41,134 |
| All incomes | $36,041 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from Butler's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Butler University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI · Private78% admitted$31,487 average net price
Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL · Private75.1% admitted$36,079 average net price
DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Private87.8% admitted$30,902 average net price
University of DaytonDayton, OH · Private66.6% admitted$29,533 average net price
University of St. Thomas, MinnesotaSt. Paul, MN · Private85.4% admitted$29,155 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.