Butler vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Stephens College in Columbia, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Butler University is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (5,746 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Butler vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Stephens 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 Stephens College than Butler ($23,194 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephens College are 18.6% lower than at Butler University ($13,366 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 68.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stephens College (about $19,260 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.1% higher at Butler than at Stephens College (about $19,260 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 19.1% larger than aid received by Stephens College students ($27,790 vs. $23,341).

Butler vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or Stephens 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 Stephens College and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 60 points higher than at Stephens College (1200).
• Incoming Butler students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Butler vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and Stephens 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).

• Butler University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $31,000 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephens College and Butler graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Stephens College and Butler graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 63%)

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.