Butler vs. IU Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Indiana University Northwest in Gary, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Butler University is larger than IU Northwest based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 3,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Indiana University Northwest is in Gary, IN (Small City setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Indiana University Northwest 15:1.

Butler vs. IU Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or IU Northwest? 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 Indiana University Northwest than Butler ($5,745 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Northwest are 33.2% lower than at Butler University ($10,972 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 464.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Northwest (about $39,136 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.5% higher at Butler than at Indiana University Northwest (about $24,749 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $22,811.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Indiana University Northwest (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 233.7% larger than aid received by Indiana University Northwest students ($27,790 vs. $8,327).

Butler vs. IU Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or IU Northwest? 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 IU Northwest and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 210 points higher than at IU Northwest (1050).
• Incoming Butler students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at IU Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; Indiana University Northwest 910/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; Indiana University Northwest 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; IU Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at IU Northwest (3.14).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than IU Northwest (73.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 23.5% at IU Northwest.

Butler vs. IU Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and IU Northwest? 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).

• Butler University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Indiana University Northwest's (23%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $28,900 more per year than IU Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Northwest graduates have a $1,970 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($25,030 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IU Northwest graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Northwest students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 33%)

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.