Butler University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
Thinking about Butler University? This private school in Indiana is known for generous merit awards and strong programs in business, pharmacy, and the arts. On this page, we’ll break down the real costs, the scholarships Butler automatically gives with admission, the selective awards worth chasing, and some hidden opportunities that parents don’t always hear about. If you’re also weighing Indiana’s public colleges, check our Indiana state aid guide alongside the full College Scholarships Hub.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Butler University
| Expense | Annual Cost (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $48,900 |
| Fees | $990 |
| Housing & Meals (standard plan) | $17,090 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,300 |
| Transportation | $1,450 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | $2,330 |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $72,060 |
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 net price is about $40,140 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.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Scholarship Program | $18,000–$30,000/yr | All admitted first-year students; test-optional. Award based on GPA, rigor, and test scores if submitted. | No | Yes — typically 3.0 GPA & full-time enrollment | Top end (~$26K–$30K): GPA 3.8–4.0+ and ACT 30+/SAT 1360+* Mid-range (~$22K–$26K): GPA 3.6–3.8, ACT high 20s/SAT 1250–1330* Entry (~$18K–$22K): GPA ~3.5+ with solid academics* |
*Estimates based on Butler’s published class profile and past award ranges. Exact GPA/test cutoffs are not published and may vary by applicant pool.
National Merit Finalists: Butler University also awards a National Merit Scholarship of $2,500/year to Finalists who designate Butler as their first-choice institution. This award stacks with Butler’s automatic academic scholarships.
Automatic Scholarship FAQs
Do I need a separate application?
No. All admitted students are automatically considered for academic scholarships.
Does Butler superscore the ACT or SAT?
Yes. Butler superscores both the ACT and SAT, meaning they’ll take your highest section scores across multiple test dates if you choose to submit them.
Can I combine automatic scholarships with other aid?
Yes, but institutional aid cannot exceed certain charges. Study abroad terms and specific programs may have additional rules.
What about test-optional applicants?
Students who apply test-optional are still fully eligible for automatic merit based on GPA and course rigor.
🏆 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morton-Finney Scholars Award | Up to full tuition (in combination with other aid) | Admitted first-year students who demonstrate leadership and sustained commitment to inclusion/DEI in school or community | Yes — separate application; interviews/selection events | Yes — maintain program participation and good standing | High-achieving students with robust service/leadership impact and clear record of advancing inclusion; Early Action applicants are prioritized, but Regular Decision applicants (Feb 1 deadline) may also be considered |
| Compass Center Scholars Program | $4,000/yr (up to 4 years); <10 awards/yr | Admitted Early Action; passion for interfaith engagement, service, leadership; ongoing participation required | Yes — separate application by mid-Nov after Nov 1 EA admit | Yes — typically with 3.0 GPA + required programming | Students showing leadership, reflection, and engagement in faith/spiritual/secular dialogue and service |
| Butler Tuition Guarantee (need-informed) | Gift aid up to full tuition when combined with federal/state/Butler aid | Marion County (IN) high school students; academic strength + extracurricular/service; FAFSA-based need; interviews | Yes — program application; FAFSA required by priority date | Yes — maintain eligibility and program participation | Local scholars with strong academics, service, and documented financial need; first-gen/21st Century Scholars may receive priority |
Competitive Scholarships FAQs
What deadlines matter most?
Apply to Butler by November 1 (Early Action) for priority consideration. Some awards, like the Morton-Finney Scholars Award, also consider Regular Decision applicants who apply by February 1, though Early Action applicants are prioritized.
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 if you submit scores, Butler superscores the ACT/SAT, which can strengthen a competitive application.
Are there major-specific or Honors awards here?
No — Honors and departmental/talent awards appear in their own sections on this page.
⭐ 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.
🎖️ 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.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Choosing Butler means balancing the private school price tag with generous merit awards, need-based help, and unique programs in pharmacy, business, and the arts. For first-gen and cost-conscious families, the good news is that very few students pay the full sticker price — and knowing which scholarships to target can make all the difference. Use this guide as a roadmap, and you’ll have a clearer picture of what Butler could really cost your family.
✅ Last updated: September 14, 2025