Butler vs. IPFW

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Fort Wayne is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (7,206 students vs. 5,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Purdue University Fort Wayne is in Fort Wayne, IN (Large City setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Fort Wayne is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Purdue University Fort Wayne 13:1.

Butler vs. IPFW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or IPFW? 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne than Butler ($14,735 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Fort Wayne are 29% lower than at Butler University ($11,669 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 399% more expensive for in-state tuition than IPFW (about $38,028 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $9,532.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.8% higher at Butler than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (about $24,673 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $22,887.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at Purdue University Fort Wayne (97% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 289.5% larger than aid received by Purdue University Fort Wayne students ($27,790 vs. $7,135).

Butler vs. IPFW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 160 points higher than at IPFW (1100).
• Incoming Butler students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at IPFW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; Purdue University Fort Wayne 970/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; Purdue University Fort Wayne 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; IPFW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; IPFW Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at IPFW (3.37).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than IPFW (83.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 21.4% at IPFW.

Butler vs. IPFW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and IPFW? 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 Purdue University Fort Wayne's (26%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $29,800 more per year than IPFW graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $38,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Purdue University Fort Wayne graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($24,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, IPFW graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IPFW students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 51%)

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.