Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
IU Purdue DePauw Marquette University University of Dayton Loyola Bradley Drake Kentucky IUPUI Xavier Miami| Butler University | Northern Kentucky University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
Butler | NKU | ||
| Location | Indianapolis, IN | Highland Heights, KY | ||
| Setting | Large City | Large Suburban | ||
| Enrollment | 5,525 | 15,801 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #210 | #805 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | butler.edu | nku.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Butler | NKU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $43,470 | $10,208 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $43,470 | $20,464 | ||
| Room & Board | $15,260 | $11,248 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $37,399 | $7,259 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $25,728 | $11,275 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 98% | 100% |
Admission |
Butler | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 13,386 | 6,905 | ||
| Admitted | 10,985 | 5,939 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 82.1% | 86% | ||
| Enrolled % | 10.9% | 27.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.92 | 3.42 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B+ | ||
| Admissions Standards | Difficult | Average | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 24/30 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1110/1320 | 1030/1290 | ||
| 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 | Aug 15, 2025 |
Academics |
Butler | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 11:1 | 17:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
Butler | NKU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 72% | 37% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $68,400 | $39,700 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 84% | 53% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $27,000 | $24,950 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $279 | $257 |
Diversity |
Butler | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 39% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 61% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very Low | Very Low | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 82% | 82% | ||
| % Black | 4% | 7% | ||
| % Hispanic | 4% | 3% | ||
| % Native American | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 2% | 2% | ||
| % International | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 4% | 1% |
Students |
Butler | NKU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 45% | 66% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 53% | 26% | ||
Campus |
Butler | NKU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | Yes | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | Yes | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Northern Kentucky University is larger than than Butler based on total student enrollment (15,801 students vs. 5,525 students)
Butler vs. NKU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Butler or NKU?
- Butler University is 325.8% more expensive to attend than NKU for in-state tuition ($43,470.00 vs. $10,208.00)
- Out of state tuition is 112.4% higher at Butler than Northern Kentucky University ($43,470.00 vs. $20,464.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Kentucky University than Butler ($7,259 vs. $37,399)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Kentucky University are 35.7% lower than costs at Butler University ($11,248 vs. $15,260)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Kentucky University than Butler University (100% vs. 98%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 128.2% larger than aid received Northern Kentucky University ($25,728 vs. $11,275)
Butler vs. NKU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Butler or NKU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NKU or Butler .
- The average SAT score at Butler University (1209) is 141 points higher than at NKU (1068)
- Incoming Butler students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at NKU (23)
- Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at NKU (3.42)
- NKU has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Butler (82.1%)
Butler vs. NKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Butler or NKU? 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 NKU and Butler.
- The graduation rate at Butler is higher than Northern Kentucky University (72% vs. 37%)
- Graduates from Butler University earn on average $28,700 more per year than NKU graduates after ten years. ($68,400 vs. $39,700)
- Northern Kentucky University students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than Butler graduates. ($24,950 vs. $27,000)
- NKU graduates are paying $22 less per month on federal student loans than Butler graduates. ($257 vs. $279)
- More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NKU students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/