Butler vs. Jefferson

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Thomas Jefferson University is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (8,238 students vs. 5,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); Thomas Jefferson University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; Thomas Jefferson University 12:1.

Butler vs. Jefferson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Jefferson? 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 Thomas Jefferson University than Butler ($29,325 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 3.6% lower than at Butler University ($15,834 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson (about $55 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Butler than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $55 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Butler University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 26% larger than aid received by Butler University students ($35,007 vs. $27,790).

Butler vs. Jefferson Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Butler or Jefferson? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Jefferson and Butler.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 10 points higher than at Jefferson (1250).
• Incoming Butler students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Butler University 1160/1350; Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Butler University 26/31; Thomas Jefferson University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; Jefferson - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Jefferson Jul 31, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Butler students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Jefferson (3.73).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Jefferson (81%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 12.1% at Jefferson.

Butler vs. Jefferson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and Jefferson? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Butler University's six-year graduation rate is 72%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Jefferson.
• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $54,500 more per year than Butler graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $68,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($12,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($129 vs. $279).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Butler students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.