Butler University Student Population: How Many Enrolled?

Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855, the university has since grown to encompass seven colleges offering a variety of degree options, including associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes. With a focus on experiential learning and a commitment to student success, Butler offers engaging classes and accessible professors to its approximately 5,000 students. The university's total enrolment includes approximately 4,400 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students, with representation from 48 states and 31 countries.

Undergraduate and graduate student numbers

Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,500 students, with a further 1,000 graduate and doctoral students enrolled. This puts the total student enrollment at around 5,500.

Butler University offers a comprehensive education with seven colleges providing associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree options. The university is relatively small, which means classes are more personally engaging and professors are always available to help. However, its location in Indianapolis, one of the largest cities in the Midwest, provides students with extensive opportunities for internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, public performances, and community partnerships.

The university's undergraduate enrollment is made up of students from a diverse range of backgrounds, representing 48 states and 31 countries. The student body is involved in a variety of campus activities, with Greek life being particularly prominent, including over a third of the student body. Butler University also has a successful athletics program, with teams known as the Butler Bulldogs competing in Division I of the NCAA.

The university offers a wide range of academic fields, with over 60 majors available for undergraduates. The university is organised into six colleges: the Andre B. Lacy School of Business, the College of Communication, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the Jordan College of the Arts.

Student demographics

Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1855, it has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 4,500 students. The university's 290-300-acre campus is located in a residential area approximately five miles from downtown Indianapolis.

The student body is made up of approximately 4,400 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students, representing 48 states and 31 countries. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities Midwest, #1. With just over 5,000 students, Butler University is relatively small compared to other universities, which means classes are more personally engaging and professors are always available to help.

Greek life is prominent at Butler, with more than a third of the student body participating in social fraternities or sororities. The university offers over 60 major academic fields of study within six colleges: arts, business, communication, education, liberal arts and sciences, and health sciences.

The student body is diverse, with 94% of students involved in campus activities. The university's athletic teams, known as the Butler Bulldogs, compete in Division I of the NCAA and are particularly well known for their successful men's basketball teams.

Student residence

Butler University offers a variety of housing options for its students, with nearly all incoming first-year students, and most sophomores and juniors, living on campus. The university guarantees a room on campus for all incoming first-year students who submit their $500 enrollment deposit by 1 May. The housing application process for the 2024-2025 academic year opened on 26 February 2024, with housing assignments and roommate matches made using an online system.

First-year students at Butler can be placed in one of two residence halls: Irvington House, which features amenities such as a cardio fitness room, a recreation centre, and a social lounge; or Residential College (ResCo), a recently renovated co-educational residence hall community. Depending on their transfer credits, transfer students may be placed in Irvington House, ResCo, Fairview House, Apartment Village, South Campus, or Butler Terrace.

Sophomore students primarily live in Fairview House, which features suite-style living, a recreation and gaming lounge, a cardio fitness room, and a media lounge, among other amenities. Juniors and seniors at Butler have the option to live in university apartments, including Apartment Village, South Campus Apartments, Butler Terrace, and University Terrace.

All students living in a Butler residence hall are enrolled in a Residential Dining Plan, which includes meal swipes and Flex Dollars that can be used at retail locations on campus. Apartment community residents may purchase community dining plans separately.

Student participation in Greek life

Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a private, co-ed university with approximately 4,400 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students enrolled. The university is relatively small, with just over 5,000 students in total, which means classes are more personally engaging and professors are always available to help.

Greek life is prominent at Butler University, with more than a third of the student body involved. The university has seven fraternities and eight sororities, with around 35-38% of undergraduate students participating in Greek life. This works out to be around 1,588 students, a large number considering the small campus size. Butler's Greek life includes seven fraternities and eight sororities, with chapters planning social events, formals, and service projects while maintaining above-average GPAs. Members of the fraternities and sororities also contribute to the community by giving back to over 200 Indianapolis area nonprofits, with members contributing more than 20,000 hours of service annually.

Butler's Greek life provides opportunities for students to build lifelong relationships, develop leadership skills, and support philanthropic initiatives. It offers a way for students to make friends and connect with others outside their major. However, it is not the only way to be involved on campus, and some students choose to join other clubs and organizations that align with their interests. Overall, Greek life is an important part of the student experience at Butler University, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for those who choose to participate.

Student employment after graduation

Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, with around 4,400 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students enrolled. The university offers a range of opportunities to prepare its students for employment after graduation.

Internships, Co-ops, and Undergraduate Research

Butler University's location in Indianapolis, one of the largest cities in the Midwest, provides students with access to internships, co-ops, undergraduate research, public performances, and community partnerships. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable experience and build a network of professional connections.

Career Services and Resources

The university offers various career services and resources to assist students in finding employment after graduation. The Career and Professional Success (CaPS) office provides resources such as the Guide to Professional Success, which offers guidance and templates for creating resumes and cover letters, as well as tips for job interviews. Students can also schedule resume and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, and career counselling appointments through the CaPS office.

On-Campus Student Employment

Butler University provides on-campus employment opportunities for students to gain work experience and earn money during their studies. Students can find on-campus job opportunities through the university's online job portal, Handshake, which features a variety of positions in different departments and offices within the university. International students interested in on-campus employment are required to complete certain steps, including obtaining an Employment Authorization Form and meeting with the International Student Services office.

Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides financial aid to students by subsidizing their paychecks from qualifying part-time jobs, allowing them to earn money to cover education expenses. To be eligible for FWS, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FWS positions are available on-campus and with approved non-profit and government agencies off-campus.

Alumni Network and Connections

Butler University has a strong alumni network that can provide valuable connections and opportunities for students after graduation. The university's alumni are employed in a range of industries and organisations, and they often return to campus to recruit current students for internships and job opportunities.

Overall, Butler University provides a comprehensive range of resources, programs, and opportunities to prepare its students for employment after graduation. The combination of academic excellence, experiential learning, and career services ensures that Butler graduates are well-equipped to succeed in their chosen career paths.

Frequently asked questions