Butler vs. St. Mary's College

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Butler University is larger than St. Mary's College based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 1,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Saint Mary's College is in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Saint Mary's College 9:1.

Butler vs. St. Mary's College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or St. Mary's College? 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 Saint Mary's College than Butler ($27,865 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Mary's College are 13.2% lower than at Butler University ($14,260 vs. $16,430).
• Saint Mary's College is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Butler (about $5,670 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $47,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at St. Mary's College than at Butler University (about $5,670 more per year; $53,230.00 vs. $47,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College students is 39.4% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($38,748 vs. $27,790).

Butler vs. St. Mary's College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or St. Mary's College? 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 St. Mary's College and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 30 points higher than at St. Mary's College (1230).
• Incoming Butler students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at St. Mary's College (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; Saint Mary's College 1130/1325.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; Saint Mary's College 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; St. Mary's College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at St. Mary's College (3.83).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than St. Mary's College (76%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 20.1% at St. Mary's College.

Butler vs. St. Mary's College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and St. Mary's College? 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).

• Saint Mary's College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than Butler University's (72%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than St. Mary's College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Mary's College and Butler graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saint Mary's College and Butler graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St. Mary's College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Butler students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 84%)

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.