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$3,556Tuition
5,694Students
30%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$41,206Earnings
Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Butler Community College

Butler Community College has built a solid reputation for workforce training programs that connect directly to Kansas employers. The college serves 5,694 students in El Dorado, a town that sits 30 miles northeast of Wichita. Students come here for practical skills in trades, healthcare, and business programs that lead straight to jobs.

The financial picture works well for most students. Average net price runs $16,051 annually, but that includes room and board costs that many commuters avoid. In-state tuition costs just $3,556, making this one of Kansas's more affordable options. Graduates earn a median of $41,206 ten years out, with typical debt loads of only $10,500. The monthly loan payment averages $111, which most graduates can handle comfortably.

The Grizzlies compete in nine NJCAA sports with 267 total athletes sharing $1.8 million in athletic scholarships. Women make up 61.7% of students, and 93.6% come from Kansas. The employment rate hits 92.6% for graduates, reflecting strong connections between programs and local employers. With a 18:1 student-faculty ratio, students get more attention than they would at larger universities. Only 30.8% need financial aid, suggesting many students work while attending or have family support.

Academics & Faculty

Butler Community College serves south-central Kansas with practical workforce training programs designed to get students into careers quickly. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors for a community college of 5,694 students. However, the 29.80% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students transfer before completing degrees or leave for work opportunities. The college emphasizes hands-on training in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture that match regional job demands. With strong ties to local employers, Butler focuses on skills-based education rather than traditional academic theory. Students often choose between earning certificates, completing associate degrees, or using Butler as an affordable stepping stone to four-year universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
18:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
29.8%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,206

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $48,470
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. Associate $38,289
Accounting and Related Services. Associate $27,439
Hospitality Administration/Management. Associate $26,353
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $23,571

View all 89 programs →

Campus Life

El Dorado sits about 30 miles east of Wichita in the Kansas Flint Hills, where oil derricks dot rolling prairie landscapes. With only 367 beds for 5,694 students, just 6% of Butler students live on campus. Most commute from surrounding towns or live in off-campus apartments in this community of 13,000 people.

Kansas weather demands both winter coats and sunscreen, frigid January temperatures can drop below freezing while summer heat regularly exceeds 90 degrees. The 61.71% female student body creates a different active than typical four-year colleges. With 93.60% of students from Kansas, weekend social life centers around Wichita's restaurants and entertainment rather than campus parties.

Butler's nine NJCAA sports teams, the Grizzlies, draw modest crowds to athletic events. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller classes where instructors know students by name. Many students work part-time jobs while completing their associate degrees, reflecting the college's focus on workforce preparation rather than traditional college social experiences.
Setting
Town-Distant
Housing Capacity
367 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Founded
1927

Campus Safety (2023)

4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Rape 1 1 0 1
Stalking 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
19°–42°F
July Avg
68°–89°F
Annual Precipitation
37.1"
Annual Snowfall
6.3"

Student Demographics

Butler Community College draws heavily from Kansas, with 94% of students staying close to home for their education. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the college's strong programs in nursing, education, and other fields that traditionally attract female students. About 31% receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves many working-class families from rural Kansas communities. The diverse student mix includes significant Hispanic and Black populations alongside white students. These demographics reflect Butler's role as an accessible pathway for first-generation college students and career changers across south-central Kansas.
Men
38.3%
Women
61.7%
White
58.1%
Black
9.4%
Hispanic
15.9%
Asian
4.3%
In-State Students
93.6%
Pell Grant Recipients
30.8%

Location

Butler Community College sits in El Dorado, Kansas, a town of about 13,000 people located 30 miles northeast of Wichita. The college draws 93.60% of its students from in-state, reflecting its strong roots in south-central Kansas. El Dorado built its economy around oil refining and agriculture, giving the area a working-class character that aligns with Butler's workforce training mission. The town offers a quiet, small-community atmosphere where students can focus on academics without big-city distractions. With 367 on-campus housing spots for 5,694 students, most live off-campus in affordable local housing. Students considering colleges in Kansas may also compare Butler Community College with similar schools in the region.
Address
El Dorado, Kansas 67042-3280

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,206
Median Earnings (5 years)
$44,692
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$30,900
Loan Repayment Rate
38.9%
Monthly Loan Payment
$111/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Butler Community College?

Butler operates with open enrollment, accepting all students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The college serves 5,694 students across its south-central Kansas service area. This accessibility makes it a popular starting point for students seeking affordable higher education or workforce training.

How much does Butler Community College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $16,051 annually, though students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $14,086. In-state tuition runs just $3,556, making Butler one of the more affordable educational options in Kansas. Only 30.75% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many can handle the low tuition without significant federal aid.

What academic programs is Butler Community College known for?

Butler focuses heavily on workforce training programs that prepare students for immediate employment in south-central Kansas industries. The college maintains an 18:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. With a 92.6% employment rate, graduates find success in local job markets that value practical, hands-on training.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Butler Community College?

Graduates earn a median of $41,206 ten years after enrollment, with strong immediate employment opportunities in the region. The 29.80% six-year graduation rate reflects the community college model where many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees. Monthly loan payments average just $111, making the debt load manageable for most graduates.

Where is Butler Community College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in El Dorado, a town-distant setting that provides a close-knit community atmosphere. Housing capacity serves 367 students, creating opportunities for residential experiences uncommon at many community colleges. The Grizzlies compete in 9 NJCAA sports with 267 total athletes, bringing school spirit to this Kansas prairie community.

Does Butler Community College offer athletic scholarships?

The college awards $1,808,335 in athletic scholarships across its 9 varsity sports programs. This substantial investment in athletics is notable for a community college of Butler's size. The Grizzlies compete at the NJCAA level, providing opportunities for student-athletes to continue their sports careers while pursuing affordable education.