Butler vs. Elon

Should I go to Butler University or Elon University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Butler or Elon is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Furman IU Purdue DePauw Marquette University Wofford College JMU University of Dayton Loyola CofC Davidson Bradley
Butler University vs. Elon University comparison
Butler University Elon University College 3 College 4
Butler University Elon University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Butler Elon
Location Indianapolis, IN Elon, NC
Setting Large City Small Suburban
Enrollment 5,525 7,123
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #210 #116
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website butler.edu elon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Butler Elon
Tuition (In State) $43,470 $41,734
Tuition (Out of State) $43,470 $41,734
Room & Board $15,260 $13,886
Avg Net Price $37,399 $41,527
Avg Grant Aid $25,728 $13,880
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 68%

Admission

Butler Elon
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 13,386 17,551
Admitted 10,985 13,069
Acceptance Rate 82.1% 74.5%
Enrolled % 10.9% 12.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.92 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 24/30 25/30
SAT Range 1110/1320 1170/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jan 10, 2025

Academics

Butler Elon
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

Butler Elon
Graduation Rate 72% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,400 $56,200
Making Student Loan Payments 84% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $240

Diversity

Butler Elon
% Men 39% 40%
% Women 61% 60%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 82% 82%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 4% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Butler Elon
% In-State 45% 18%
% Out-of-State 53% 80%

Campus

Butler Elon
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Elon University is larger than than Butler based on total student enrollment (7,123 students vs. 5,525 students)

Butler vs. Elon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Elon?

  • Butler University is 4.2% more expensive to attend than Elon for in-state tuition ($43,470.00 vs. $41,734.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.2% higher at Butler than Elon University ($43,470.00 vs. $41,734.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Butler University than Elon ($37,399 vs. $41,527)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 9.9% lower than costs at Butler University ($13,886 vs. $15,260)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Butler University than Elon University (98% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 85.4% larger than aid received Elon University ($25,728 vs. $13,880)

Butler vs. Elon Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or Elon? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Elon or Butler .

  • The average SAT score at Elon University (1211) is 2 points higher than at Butler (1209)
  • Incoming Butler students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Elon (27)
  • Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Elon (3.65)
  • Butler has a higher acceptance rate (82.1%) than Elon (74.5%)

Butler vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Butler or Elon? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Elon and Butler.

  • The graduation rate at Elon is higher than Butler University (82% vs. 72%)
  • Graduates from Butler University earn on average $12,200 more per year than Elon graduates after ten years. ($68,400 vs. $56,200)
  • Elon University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Butler graduates. ($23,250 vs. $27,000)
  • Elon graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Butler graduates. ($240 vs. $279)
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Butler students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/