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#5 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

Butler Admission Requirements

Indianapolis, Indiana

 4 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Butler University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

85.9%
Admission Difficulty for Butler University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Butler is 85.9%.  Its admission rate is the 36th lowest in Indiana.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Butler and can you get accepted?

Butler University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,098 out of the 9,431 who applied were admitted.

Butler University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.92. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Butler?

86% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Butler University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.92 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1270 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Butler GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.92

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Butler University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Butler are to have around a 3.92 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.92 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Butler accepts 86% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Butler is 3.92 on the 4.0 scale. 45% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #3 in Indiana for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Butler is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Butler University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 45.36% Good
3.75 to 3.99 22.43% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.3% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 10.28% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 3.75% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.88% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances 

Butler SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Butler University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 35% of students submitted SAT scores and 20% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1180-1360

Applicants Submitting SAT 

35%
SAT Scores for Butler University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 590
Math 25th Percentile 590
Composite 25th Percentile 1180
SAT Scores for Butler University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 680
Composite 75th Percentile 1360
Average SAT Score 1270

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Butler University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Butler is 1270 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1180-1360. Students who get into Butler University score in the top 27 percent of all SAT test takers..  Butler ranks #6 in the state of Indiana and #237 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1270 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Butler regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1180 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1180, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1090, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Butler University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1270 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1270, you have around a 86% chance of being admitted. A 1360 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

Butler University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1360 and Above Good >92%
1270 to 1360 Avg + 86%-92%
1180 to 1270 Avg - 76%-86%
1090 to 1180 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 1090 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

Butler ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

26-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

20%
ACT Scores for Butler University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 25
Composite 25th Percentile 26
ACT Scores for Butler University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 32
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Butler?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Butler is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 31.  The school ranks #5 in Indiana and #212 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

20 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Butler University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Butler University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Butler for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 86% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 31 ACT score.

Butler University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >93%
28 to 31 Avg + 86%-93%
26 to 28 Avg - 79%-86%
24 to 26 Reach 69%-79%
Less than 24 Low <69%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

76% of Butler University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Butler University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 43%
Top 25% of class 76%
Top 50% of class 96%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Butler University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,484 3,945 9,431
Accepted 4,761 3,336 8,098
Acceptance Rate 87% 85% 86%
Enrolled 691 460 1,151
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 14% 14%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

100

Applicants have 100 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Butler University is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Butler University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Butler University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Butler University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Butler University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.92 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1270 and ACT of 28 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Butler University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=150163 IPEDS survey data for Butler University.

Last updated February 24, 2025