Butler University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarship tiers and GPA/test ranges
- Flagship (competitive) and full-tuition scholarships
- Honors perks and departmental scholarship highlights
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~73%
- Middle 50% GPA (weighted): 3.6 – 4.1
- Middle 50% SAT: 1150 – 1340
- Middle 50% ACT: 25 – 30
Source: Butler University Common Data Set 2024–25. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
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Butler University at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
Butler University in Indianapolis blends a liberal arts foundation with career-ready programs in business, communication, and the arts. Most students receive generous merit aid via the Academic Scholarship Program, and select applicants—especially from Marion County—can be considered for the Butler Tuition Guarantee, which may bring total gift aid up to full tuition when stacked with state and federal aid.
Use this guide to explore Butler’s automatic merit ranges, key scholarship deadlines, and how Indiana families can stack Butler awards with state-based financial aid programs.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Butler remains test-optional; ACT science is optional beginning April 2025. Submitting scores is not required for scholarship consideration.
What is the middle 50% GPA/SAT/ACT? GPA: 3.6–4.1; SAT: 1150–1340; ACT: 25–30.
What’s the average net price? Around $38,472 after scholarships and grants (College Scorecard, latest year).
Does this school offer reciprocity or waivers? No — Butler is private, but Indiana residents can apply state grants like 21st Century Scholars and Frank O’Bannon alongside university aid.
University COA page — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/tuition-costs/
Tuition & Fees (2025–26) — https://www.butler.edu/campus-services/student-accounts/tuition/
First-Year Scholarships (2025–26) — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/first-year/
Financial Aid & Scholarships overview — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/
Applying as a First-Year (deadlines) — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/applying-as-a-first-year-student/
Important Dates (FAFSA priority) — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/admitted/important-dates/
Test-Optional policy — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/test-optional/
Honors Program info — https://www.butler.edu/academics/honors/application-process/
College Scorecard (average net price) — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?150163-Butler-University
💰 Cost of Attendance at Butler University
| Expense | In-State (IN) | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2025–2026) | $49,890 | $49,890 |
| Housing & Meals (standard plan) | $17,090 | $17,090 |
| Total (before aid) | ≈ $66,980 | ≈ $66,980 |
Note: Books & supplies (~$1,300), transportation (~$1,450), and personal/miscellaneous (~$2,330) are not billed directly to Butler and therefore aren’t included in the table above. Butler lists these as indirect costs for budgeting and aid eligibility.
Regional Tuition Programs: Because Butler is a private university, public reciprocity or WUE-style discounts don’t apply. Tuition is the same for all students regardless of residency. The main way students reduce costs is through Butler’s merit scholarships and need-based aid.
Cost of Attendance FAQs
Do Indiana residents get a discount?
No. Butler is private, so all students pay the same tuition before aid.
How much do most families actually pay?
The federal average net price is about $38,472 per year after scholarships and grants are factored in.
Are there automatic tuition breaks based on where you live?
No—Butler doesn’t participate in WUE, MSEP, or state reciprocity programs.
Discounts come through institutional merit and need-based aid.
University COA page — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/tuition-costs/
Tuition & Fees 2025–26 (per-semester tuition & mandatory fees) — https://www.butler.edu/campus-services/student-accounts/tuition/
College Scorecard (average net price) — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?150163-Butler-University
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship Program – Tier 1 | $26,000–$30,000/yr | GPA 3.8–4.0+ and ACT 30+/SAT 1360+, or exceptionally high GPA with test-optional | No (automatic with admission) | Yes—typically 3.0 GPA & full-time enrollment | Top admitted students with strongest academics and/or test scores | Nov 1 (Early Action); Feb 1 (Regular) |
| Academic Scholarship Program – Tier 2 | $22,000–$25,999/yr | GPA 3.6–3.79 and solid college prep rigor; ACT high 20s or SAT 1250–1330 if submitted | No | Yes—usually 3.0 GPA & full-time | High-achieving students with competitive records | Nov 1; Feb 1 |
| Academic Scholarship Program – Tier 3 | $18,000–$21,999/yr | GPA ~3.5+ with solid college prep, test-optional or ACT/SAT low-to-mid 20s if submitted | No | Yes—usually 3.0 GPA & full-time | Most admitted students who meet Butler’s entry standards | Nov 1; Feb 1 |
| National Merit Finalist Award | $2,500/yr (stackable) | National Merit Finalists who select Butler as first-choice | No | Yes—stackable with other academic awards | National Merit finalists admitted to Butler | Dec 5 (NMSC final deadline) |
*Award band estimates align with Butler’s published class profile. Cutoffs are not fixed; actual bands may shift by year and applicant pool. All students are considered automatically with their admissions file.
Butler First-Year Aid & Scholarships — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/scholarships/
Butler Academic Scholarship Program — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/scholarships/academic-scholarships/
Financial Aid Handbook and GPA standards — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/financial-aid/
National Merit Scholarship at Butler — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/scholarships/national-merit/
CampusReel Butler merit data — https://www.campusreel.org/scholarships/butler-university
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These awards require extra steps (separate application, interview, or specific eligibility). They are limited and more selective than automatic merit.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton-Finney Scholars Award | Up to full tuition (in combination with other aid) | Admitted first-year students with demonstrated leadership and sustained commitment to inclusion/DEI in school or community | Yes — separate app after admission on status portal; interview required | Yes — maintain program participation and good standing | High-achieving students with robust service/leadership and diversity/inclusion commitment; Early Action applicants prioritized, Regular Decision (by Feb 1) considered if space allows | Nov 15 (Early Action applicants); Feb 15 (Regular Decision applicants) |
| Compass Center Scholars Program | $4,000/yr (up to 4 years); <10 awards/yr | Admitted Early Action to Butler, passionate about interfaith engagement/service/leadership; ongoing programming involvement required | Yes — application after admission, via status portal; essays and short answers | Yes — maintain 3.0 GPA and required participation | Students with academic excellence and deep engagement in interfaith and service work | Nov 15 (after Nov 1 admission); portal app window: Nov 1–15 |
| Butler Tuition Guarantee (need-informed) | Gift aid up to full tuition, coordinated with federal/state/Butler aid | Marion County (IN) HS students; strong academics, service, and FAFSA-based need; interviews | Yes — Butler app by Nov 1; program/FAFSA deadlines | Yes — maintain eligibility and program participation | Local scholars with high achievement, documented need, and service; first-gen/21st Century Scholars favored | Apply by Nov 1; FAFSA by Jan 31 (priority) |
Competitive Scholarships FAQs
What deadlines matter most?
Apply to Butler by November 1 (Early Action) for priority consideration. Morton-Finney and Compass Center require scholarship applications by November 15 (EA) or February 15 (RD). Tuition Guarantee applicants need to complete the FAFSA by January 31 for top consideration.
Can these awards stack with automatic merit?
Often yes, but total institutional aid can’t exceed certain charges; some programs have special coordination rules. Read each award’s renewal/stacking notes carefully.
Do test scores help?
They can. Butler is test-optional, but superscores the ACT/SAT if sent, which can strengthen your case.
Are there major-specific or Honors awards here?
No — Honors, departmental, and talent awards are described in their own sections.
Butler First-Year Scholarships — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/scholarships/
Morton-Finney Scholars — https://www.butler.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/morton-finney-scholars-program/
Compass Center Scholars — https://www.butler.edu/students/compass-center/scholarships/
Butler Tuition Guarantee — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/scholarships/butler-tuition-guarantee/
Butler Important Dates — https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/important-dates/
🎖️ Honors College
The University Honors Program at Butler gives high-achieving students an extra layer of challenge and support. It’s designed for curious learners who want more than just a degree — students in the program take small, discussion-based classes, build close faculty relationships, and complete a thesis or capstone project that stands out to graduate schools and employers.
What a Typical Butler Honors Student Looks Like:
High school GPA around 3.8+ (weighted) or 3.65+ (unweighted); many have ACT 30+/SAT 1360+ if they submitted scores. They’ve taken rigorous courses and often have leadership or service activities that show initiative.
Honors Perks that Matter:
Priority class registration, small seminars taught by top faculty, research and thesis mentorship, the chance to petition into the program after your first semester if you earn a 3.6 GPA+, and a strong academic community that often overlaps with Butler’s top merit award recipients.
Departmental Honors Scholarships:
Many academic departments at Butler offer named scholarships for students completing an honors thesis or showing exceptional achievement. For example, the Department of History, Anthropology, & Classics awards the Bernice Abbott Cope Scholarship and the Edward and Marjory Bennett Scholarship to history students with outstanding academic records.
Honors Program FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Students are invited to apply if they meet GPA/test thresholds, but there’s a separate application process with essays. Current students with a 3.6+ GPA can petition to join later.
Does joining Honors add time to my degree?
No. The program is designed to fit within a normal four-year plan, with seminars counting toward core requirements and a thesis integrated into your major.
When should I apply?
Apply to Butler by November 1 for priority consideration. Selected students will then be invited to submit an Honors application.
Are there extra scholarships?
There are no central Honors-only scholarships. However, many departments award named scholarships to Honors students who excel academically or complete a thesis within their major.
Butler University Honors Program — https://www.butler.edu/academics/honors-program/
Admission eligibility and deadlines — https://www.butler.edu/academics/honors-program/admissions/
Departmental scholarships and thesis examples — https://www.butler.edu/academics/honors-program/opportunities/ ; https://www.butler.edu/academics/history-anthropology-classics/student-opportunities/
University catalog/requirements — https://www.butler.edu/academics/honors-program/requirements/
⭐ College Specialty
Parents often ask, “What is Butler really known for?” While it’s a mid-sized private university in Indianapolis, Butler has carved out a strong reputation in fields that connect students to high-demand careers and hands-on learning. From health sciences to the arts, its programs combine classroom study with real-world practice.
Pharmacy & Health Sciences: Butler’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is one of Indiana’s best-known programs, offering a direct-admit pathway to the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and a new direct-admit Nursing program. Graduates consistently post strong licensure pass rates and secure placements in clinical rotations across the state.
- Business (Andre B. Lacy School of Business): Ranked among the top programs nationally by Poets&Quants for academic experience and career outcomes; students benefit from a real trading room and deep ties to Indianapolis companies.
- Performing Arts (Jordan College of the Arts): Recognized regionally and nationally for dance, theatre, and music; students participate in over 200 performances annually and connect with Indy’s vibrant arts scene.
- Communications & Media: Strong statewide reputation, especially in journalism and strategic communication, with student-run media outlets and Indianapolis internship pipelines.
- Education: Butler’s College of Education is known in Indiana for producing highly sought-after teachers, with strong local school partnerships and early classroom experience built into the curriculum.