Butler University Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~73%
- Middle 50% ACT: 28
- Middle 50% SAT: 1245
- Average GPA: 3.85
- Below the typical ranges: Butler is going to be a reach. You’ll need strong grades senior year, solid extracurriculars, and a clean application to stay competitive—especially since merit is tied closely to academic profile.
- In the typical ranges: This is your sweet spot for both admission and meaningful merit aid. Focus on applying by Early Action and presenting a well-rounded application to maximize scholarship offers.
- Well above the ranges: You’re in a strong position for top automatic merit, but Butler’s biggest awards are still competitive or capped. Don’t assume full tuition—this is more “large discount” than “free ride” for most students.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Butler University at a Glance
Butler is a classic “private school discount model” done well. The sticker price is high, but most families don’t pay it—merit scholarships in the $18K–$30K per year range are common for solid students. That makes it feel more like a mid-priced school after aid, not a luxury one.
Where families get tripped up is assuming those automatic awards will make Butler cheap. Even with strong merit, you’re often still looking at a meaningful out-of-pocket cost unless you stack in need-based aid or qualify for something like the Butler Tuition Guarantee. This is a great fit for students who want a smaller, polished campus with strong career outcomes—but you need to run the net price carefully and compare it to strong public options.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Butler University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 28; SAT: 1245.
Average net price? About $38,472/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No — private school; same rate for all.
Butler first-year scholarships page: https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/first-year/
Butler Compass Center Scholars Program page: https://www.butler.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/compass-center/scholars-program/
Butler School of Music – Participating as a Non-Major: https://www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/music/ensembles/non-major-participation/
Butler Financial Aid Handbook (need-based grant description): https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/handbook/
Butler Jordan College of the Arts music scholarships page: https://www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/music/scholarship-financial-aid/
Independent Colleges of Indiana – Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships: https://www.icindiana.org/scholarships/
Butler Morton-Finney Scholars Program page: https://www.butler.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/efroymson-diversity-center/morton-finney-scholars-program/
Butler National Merit Scholarship information: https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/scholarships/national-merit/
Butler Bands – Scholarships information: https://www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/bands/scholarships/
Butler Center for Global Education – Study Abroad Funding Page: https://www.butler.edu/academics/study-abroad/study-abroad-funding/
Butler Tuition Guarantee information page: https://www.butler.edu/admission-aid/first-year/scholarships/butler-tuition-guarantee/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Butler University 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $48,900 | $48,900 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $17,090 | $17,090 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $65,990 | $65,990 |
Average Federal Net Price: $38,472 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
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 (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.