Butler vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Butler University is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 2,844 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Butler vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Carthage? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Carthage College than Butler ($27,066 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Carthage College are 18.1% lower than at Butler University ($13,450 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 22.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Carthage (about $8,810 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $38,750.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at Butler than at Carthage College (about $8,810 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $38,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Carthage College students ($27,790 vs. $23,784).

Butler vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or Carthage? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Carthage and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 160 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming Butler students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Butler University 1160/1350; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Butler University 26/31; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Butler students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Butler (85.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Butler vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and Carthage? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Butler University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Carthage College's (59%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than Carthage graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carthage College and Butler graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Carthage College and Butler graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Carthage students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.