Butler vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler University in Indianapolis, IN with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Butler based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 5,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler University is located in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Butler University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler University 11:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Butler vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Butler or Iowa? 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 University of Iowa than Butler ($21,765 vs. $38,438).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 21.4% lower than at Butler University ($12,920 vs. $16,430).
• Butler University is 321.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $36,277 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.5% higher at Butler than at University of Iowa (about $14,189 more per year; $47,560.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Butler University than at University of Iowa (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler University students is 181.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($27,790 vs. $9,865).

Butler vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Butler University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Butler students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 1160/1350; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Butler University 26/31; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Butler - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Butler Aug 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Butler students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Butler has a higher acceptance rate (85.1%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Butler vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Butler vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Butler and Iowa? 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 University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from Butler University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,400 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Butler graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Butler graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Butler graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

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.