At $38,472/yr net price, Butler University graduates earn $77,235/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $43,235/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $38,472 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $153,888 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $77,235/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$43,235/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $26,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,607/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $31,406/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $36,016/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $39,491/yr |
| $110,001+ | $42,961/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $119,557 | $41,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $101,964 | $107,199 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $64,990 | |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $49,058 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $49,019 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $43,426 | $23,250 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $42,123 | $25,500 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $40,485 | |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $36,183 | $26,870 |
The Risk Factor
80.2% of students at Butler University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Butler University delivers solid financial returns for most graduates, with median earnings of $77,235 ten years after graduation and relatively manageable debt levels of $26,000. Your ROI depends heavily on your major choice at this Indianapolis private school.
Pharmacy stands out as Butler's financial winner, generating nearly $120,000 in median earnings with moderate debt of $41,000. Allied health programs also pay well at $102,000, though you'll carry crushing debt of $107,000 that significantly hurts your net returns. Accounting graduates earn a respectable $65,000, making it a safer middle-ground option.
Butler's business programs show weaker returns. International business and management information systems graduates earn around $49,000, which barely justifies the school's $38,472 annual net price. These majors put you at financial risk given the high cost of attendance.
The school's location in Indianapolis helps with job placement in healthcare, finance, and business sectors, but you're paying premium private school prices for access to a regional job market. Butler works financially if you're pursuing pharmacy or health sciences, where the school's strong reputation and clinical partnerships justify the investment.
Butler offers merit scholarships, but only 14% of students receive financial aid, suggesting most families pay close to full price. The 80% graduation rate means you have good odds of finishing your degree, but you need to choose your major carefully. If you're considering business programs or uncertain about your career path, less expensive public options will serve you better financially.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butler University worth the high tuition cost?
Butler's $38,472 annual net price is steep for median earnings of $77,235 after 10 years. The return on investment works best for pharmacy and health programs, which earn $100,000+ annually, but other majors struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at Butler University?
Pharmacy leads at $119,557 annually, followed by allied health programs at $101,964. Business majors like accounting ($64,990) and international business ($49,058) earn significantly less despite similar tuition costs.
How much student debt do Butler University graduates have?
Butler graduates carry a median debt of $26,000, which is manageable for pharmacy and health majors but challenging for lower-earning programs. Students in business or liberal arts may struggle with loan payments relative to their starting salaries.
Does Butler University provide good financial aid to reduce costs?
Despite financial aid, Butler's net price remains high at $38,472 annually. The 82% acceptance rate suggests the school may offer aid to attract students, but costs still outpace earnings potential for many programs.