Resources for High School Counselors
Help build the next generation of bulldogs.
Butler University is a nationally recognized university with seven academic colleges and is known for providing small class sizes, opportunities to engage directly with faculty, and real-world experience through internships, co-ops, research, performances, and community engagement offerings.
As a high school counselor, we know you have an important—and busy—job as you help students navigate the college admission process. As partners in this work, we want to be as helpful as possible. This page serves as a one-stop-shop for all things related to admission and life at Butler.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to a member of our Admission team at admission@butler.edu.
While it’s impossible to truly describe Butler in a list of bullet points, we’ve compiled some of our most-asked-about stats here. You can also take a look at a few of our brochures to learn more about life at Butler.
Campus and Student Body Statistics:
- Located on more than 300 park-like acres in Indianapolis, Indiana
- University consists of seven academic colleges including Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- 90+ academic majors
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,519
- Students from 46 states, 1 US territory, and 31 countries
- Out-of-state 53% vs. in-state 47%
- Students of Color: 19%
- International students: 1%
Academic and Student Life Statistics
- Average class size: 22
- 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- 200+ student organizations
- 20 NCAA Division 1 athletic teams
- 40+ intramural and club sport options
- 39% of students participate in fraternity and sorority life
- 200+ study abroad and exchange programs in more than 55 countries
Experiential Learning and Outcomes Statistics
- Over 80% of students complete at least one internship
- 5,000+ companies eager to hire students for internships and jobs
- 98% placement rate within six months of graduation
- Median starting salary of $65,497
City of Indianapolis Statistics:
- 16th largest city in the United States
- Home to several professional sports teams such as the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts, major companies such as Salesforce, Eli Lilly, and Roche, and vibrant, world-class arts organizations including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and the Indiana Repertory Theatre
- Indianapolis ranks 13th of best US job markets for large cities (Wall Street Journal)
- August 1: Application opens
- October 1: FAFSA becomes available – Butler Code: 001788
- November 1: Early Action and Early Decision Deadline
- Late-October through mid-December: Early Action and Early Decision decisions released
- December: Recommended FAFSA filing period
- February 1: Regular Decision deadline
- February 15: Butler Priority FAFSA deadline
- Mid-February: Financial Aid Offer begins
- May 1: National Candidate’s Reply Date – A $500 enrollment deposit is due to the Office of Admission, which is refundable through this date.
Required:
- Common App and a non-refundable $50 application fee (paid via the Common App). Eligible students with financial need may qualify for an application fee waiver through the Common App.
- Writing sample, personal statement, or essay (650 words or less)
- Official high school transcript showing coursework completed through the junior year
- A Secondary School Report completed by the counseling office
Optional:
- SAT (code 1073) or ACT (code 1180) scores
- Resumé outlining activities and honors
- 1–2 Letter(s) of Recommendation
More information on the first-year application process can be found here.
First-year and transfer students can apply to Butler with or without standardized test scores such as the SAT and the ACT. This policy, established in 2020, reflects Butler’s commitment to a holistic admission review process and provides students the opportunity to determine if their standardized test scores best reflect their academic potential.
If students submit test scores, the scores will be considered alongside the other materials within our holistic review process. Students who submit scores have the option to submit self-reported scores on the application for admission.
If students decide to apply without scores, the Office of Admission will review their application based on academic performance, curriculum, engagement in and outside of the classroom, and the essay. In addition, students may submit a résumé and letters of recommendation.
More information can be found here.
We offer advanced course placement, with appropriate academic credit, in most subject areas covered by AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Examination Program). Applicants should request that their AP or CLEP scores be reported to the Office of Registration and Records. Students earning AP, IB or transfer credit ordinarily have these credits applied to major requirements, at the discretion of the department or as electives fulfilling Butler degree requirements. Using transfer credit to fulfill the Butler Core also may be possible, provided the course is consistent with the learning objectives of the specific Core area; see “Key Components” on the Core Curriculum website).
More information can be found here.
Visit the Financial Aid website for more information or for a full breakdown on cost of university attendance, click here.
We are the largest provider of financial aid to our students.
Butler University gift programs include:
- Academic Scholarship: Awards range from $18,000 to $30,000 and vary each academic year based on the quality of the applicant pool.
- Morton-Finney Diversity Scholar Award Program: Awards range from $5,000 to full tuition. This scholarship is awarded to students who take an active role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in their schools or communities and seek to continue these efforts as Butler students.
- Compass Center Scholarship: Awards are $4,000 per academic year. Students must be admitted Early Action and have a passion for engaging with people of religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds that are different than their own. A separate award application is required.
- Jordan College of the Arts Award: Awards are based on performance ability and departmental needs. Students must major within JCA. An audition, interview, or submitted work is required.
- Athletic Grant in Aid: Awards are based on performance ability and the needs of the team. Contact the coaching staff directly for more information.
- Butler University Grant: Awards are based on academic strength and financial aid eligibility as determined by the FAFSA. Priority consideration is given to those who submit the FAFSA by March 1.
A variety of federal and state grants, loans, and work study opportunities are also available. In order to determine eligibility, the FAFSA must be filed. Butler’s FAFSA code is 001788.
- Federal Pell Grant*: Awards up to $7,395 based on financial needs as determined by the FAFSA.
- Frank O’Bannon Grant or 21st Century Scholarship*: Awards to Indiana residents based on financial needs as determined by the FAFSA. Award amounts range from $900-$12,400. The FAFSA must be received by April 15 each year.
- Federal Direct Loan: A long-term, fixed-interest student loan offered to students who complete the FAFSA. May be subsidized and/or unsubsidized based on financial need. Grade level maximums: first-year $5,500, sophomore $6,500, junior/senior $7,500
- Federal Work Study*: On-campus employment where students receive a paycheck for hours worked. Awards are based on financial need. The average award is equivalent to 8 to 12 hours per week at minimum wage.
*Available only to full-time undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Award amounts are from the 2020-2021 academic year and may vary for future academic years. Butler gift assistance is tuition specific unless otherwise stated.
Our Admission Counselors are a great resource for both you and for your students. They can provide any information about Butler that you might need, and help guide your students through the admission process and transition to college. Find your school’s admission counselor here.