Butler vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Butler University is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Denison University 9:1.

Butler vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Denison? 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 Butler University than Denison ($38,438 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 0.2% lower than at Butler University ($16,400 vs. $16,430).
• Denison University is 40.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Butler (about $19,440 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $47,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.9% higher at Denison than at Butler University (about $19,440 more per year; $67,000.00 vs. $47,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Denison University (97% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Denison University students is 37.4% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($38,179 vs. $27,790).

Butler vs. Denison Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or Denison? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Denison and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Denison University (1410) is 150 points higher than at Butler (1260).
• Incoming Denison students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Butler).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Denison (17.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Butler vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and Denison? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Denison University's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Butler University's (72%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Denison University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($26,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Denison graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($268 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 83%)

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.