Butler University Student Population: How Many Are There?

Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has over 60 major academic fields of study within six colleges, enrolling approximately 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities Midwest, #1. With a small student body, Butler offers a more personally engaging educational experience, with accessible professors and a strong sense of community.

Undergraduate and graduate student numbers

Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a private university with a small student population of just over 5,000. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 4,500 students, with 4,400 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students, according to figures from 2022. This gives Butler a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, which is far better than the US national average of 21:1.

The university's small size means that classes are more personally engaging and professors are always available to help. This individual attention is a key part of the Butler experience, with the university emphasising the practicality of knowledge and offering tailored studies, activities, research, and service-learning to its students.

Butler's undergraduate population is spread across six or seven colleges, offering over 60 or 90 major academic fields of study. These include arts, business, communication, education, liberal arts and the sciences, and health sciences.

The university's graduate programs include master's and doctoral degree options, with 19 graduate programs offered across the six academic colleges, according to the Butler University website.

Student demographics

Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Founded in 1855, it has over 60 major academic fields of study within six colleges (although another source states seven colleges) in the arts, business, communication, education, liberal arts and the sciences, and health sciences. The university enrols approximately 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students, although other sources state 5,000 and 4,400 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students.

The student body is made up of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds. Students come from 48 states and 31 countries. The university has a history of embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment, striving to empower students from various racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

Butler University offers a wide range of opportunities for its students, including internships, undergraduate research, public performances, and community partnerships. The university's location in Indianapolis, a dynamic city, provides students with easy access to real-world experiences. The university's small size, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, ensures that classes are personally engaging and professors are accessible.

The university's commitment to student success is evident in its focus on experiential learning. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge through internships, research, and other practical endeavours. This approach has proven successful, with 98% of graduates employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation.

Student life and activities

Butler University is a small but vibrant community of students, faculty, and staff. The university offers a wide range of activities and opportunities for students to get involved and enhance their overall educational experience. With over 90% of students participating in campus activities, the campus buzzes with energy and enthusiasm.

Student Organizations

Butler University boasts over 150 student organizations, catering to a diverse range of interests and passions. These organizations provide students with opportunities to pursue their hobbies, develop new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. Whether it's academic clubs, cultural groups, or special interest societies, students can find their niche and build a strong sense of community within the larger university setting.

Intramural and Varsity Sports

Athletics play a significant role in student life at Butler University. The university offers a variety of intramural and varsity sports options for students to stay active, develop teamwork skills, and represent their school. The Butler Bulldogs, the university's athletic teams, compete in Division I of the NCAA, showcasing their talent and dedication across various sports disciplines.

Greek Life

Greek life is a prominent feature of student life at Butler University, with over 35% of undergraduates joining social fraternities or sororities. The first fraternity was established in 1859, and the first sorority followed in 1874, making Greek life an integral part of the university's history and tradition. Fraternities and sororities offer opportunities for friendship, leadership development, and social engagement, contributing to a sense of belonging and community for their members.

Student Services and Support

Butler University prioritizes the well-being and support of its students. The university offers a range of services and resources to ensure students can thrive academically, personally, and socially. This includes providing accessible faculty who are invested in their students' journeys, as well as offering resources such as the On-Campus Women's Center and LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups, ensuring that all members of the community feel valued and supported.

Campus Location and Amenities

The Butler University campus is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, providing students with the benefits of a large city. Students can take advantage of internships, research opportunities, public performances, and community partnerships that the city offers. The campus itself spans 295-301 acres and is designed to foster a collaborative and stimulating intellectual environment. With a mix of historic and modern buildings, the campus offers a blend of architectural styles, including the Collegiate Gothic style that sets the tone for the university's academic excellence.

Student Outcomes

Butler University is committed to ensuring its students are prepared for success after graduation. With a focus on experiential learning and a strong track record of graduate employment, 98% of Butler graduates find a job or enter graduate school within six months of completing their studies. This testament to the university's ability to provide a well-rounded education that equips students with the skills and experiences sought by employers and graduate programs alike.

Student-to-faculty ratio

Butler University is a small, private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It was founded in 1855 and is named after its founder, Ovid Butler. The university has approximately 5,700 students enrolled, with some sources citing a figure closer to 5,000, and others stating 4,400 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students. This figure includes students from 48 US states and 31 countries.

Butler University has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1, which is significantly lower than the US national average of 21:1. This means that classes are more personally engaging and professors are always available to help. The university's small size and low student-to-faculty ratio are part of what makes Butler such a collaborative and stimulating learning environment.

The university offers a wide range of academic fields, with over 60 majors across six colleges: arts, business, communication, education, liberal arts and the sciences, and health sciences. This includes associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree options.

Butler University's small class sizes are a key part of its commitment to providing an innovative, student-centred community. The university believes in the importance of experiencing as foundational to learning, and so ensures that every academic program has some type of on-the-job, in-the-lab, from-the-stage, or other real-world component. This experiential learning approach is designed to provide students with more marketable skills and help them become adaptive thinkers and expert problem solvers.

The small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratio also mean that Butler University professors know their students by name and are able to get involved in their academic journeys. This creates a sense of community and unity, and ensures that students receive individual attention and support.

Overall, the low student-to-faculty ratio at Butler University is a key part of the university's collaborative and stimulating learning environment. It enables students to receive individual attention and support, and provides them with valuable real-world experiences and skills to succeed after graduation.

Student outcomes

Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The university has approximately 5,700 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled, with around 4,500 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students. The student body represents 48 states and 31 countries.

Butler University offers a wide range of opportunities for its students, including internships, undergraduate research, public performances, and community partnerships. The university's location in Indianapolis, one of the largest cities in the Midwest, provides students with access to a diverse range of experiences and resources.

The university's approach to education focuses on providing a student-centred and innovative community. The relatively small size of the university allows for more personalised engagement in classes and easy accessibility to professors. The university offers over 60 major academic fields of study within six colleges: arts, business, communication, education, liberal arts and the sciences, and health sciences.

The outcomes for Butler University students are positive, with a high percentage of graduates employed or pursuing further education. The university's focus on experiential learning and small class sizes contributes to the development of adaptive thinking, expert problem-solving skills, and marketable abilities in its students. The close-knit community and supportive environment also play a role in the success of Butler University alumni.

The university's various schools and colleges, including the Andre B. Lacy School of Business, College of Communication, College of Education, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offer a diverse range of academic programmes. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities Midwest, #1.

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