Perfect Academic Match with Big East Basketball Spirit
Butler University is an outstanding match for this student in nearly every category. The academic profile is exceptional with perfect alignm...
AI Recommendation
Butler University is an outstanding match for this student in nearly every category. The academic profile is exceptional with perfect alignment across all interests (marketing/business, psychology, pre-law, pre-PT), outstanding 11:1 student-faculty ratio, and 96% internship participation. The campus culture is ideal with Division I basketball creating incredible school spirit, vibrant weekend social scene, and balanced Greek life (25-30%). The Division I Dance Team welcomes walk-ons and is highly visible. Indianapolis provides urban amenities with nature access nearby. The single significant concern is climate—with only 186 sunny days/year and cold, gray winters, this does NOT satisfy the 'loves sunshine' preference. Total score of 93/100 would indicate STRONG FIT, but the climate issue is substantial enough to warrant serious consideration. If the student can compromise on weather in exchange for exceptional academics, perfect culture fit, and dance opportunities, Butler is highly recommended. If sunshine is non-negotiable for happiness, schools in warmer climates should be prioritized.
Quick Actions
Performance vs. Average College
Score Breakdown
Top Strengths
6
- 1 Perfect academic alignment across ALL interests with AACSB-accredited business, strong marketing, excellent 3+3 DPT program, and 85%+ law school acceptance
- 2 Outstanding school spirit with Division I Big East basketball and 91% retention rate confirming vibrant residential campus
- 3 Exceptional student support with 11:1 ratio, 61% of classes under 20 students, and teaching-focused faculty
- 4 Division I Dance Team explicitly welcomes walk-ons with no dance major required—highly visible at games
- 5 96% internship participation with strong Indianapolis connections and 93% post-graduation placement rate
- 6 Active weekend campus with 150+ organizations and vibrant social scene beyond Greek life (25-30% participation)
Things to Consider
4
- 1 Climate is the major red flag—only 186 sunny days/year with cold, gray winters (December-March) does NOT match 'loves sunshine' preference
- 2 Private school cost around $64K/year before merit aid (though 95%+ receive $15K-$28K scholarships)
- 3 Nature access requires transportation—not immediately surrounding campus like mountain or beach settings
- 4 Moderate economic diversity (18-20% Pell Grant recipients) and limited racial/ethnic diversity compared to some peers
Detailed Research
Internships
96% of students complete at least one internship before graduation. Strong Indianapolis connections provide abundant opportunities. Required internships/practicums in many majors. Average 2-3 internships per student.
Avg Class Size
Average class size is 21 students. 61% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Only 1% of classes have 50+ students.
Teaching Style
Highly experiential and applied learning focus. Butler Experiential Learning (BUx) program ensures hands-on projects, internships, and real-world applications. Faculty are teaching-focused, not research-focused. Collaborative learning emphasized over large lectures.
Academic Support
Comprehensive support including: Academic Resource Center, Writing Center, peer tutoring (free), supplemental instruction, academic coaching, disability services. Faculty office hours are well-utilized and accessible. First-year seminar program for transition support.
Career Placement
93% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within 6 months. Strong placement in Indianapolis and Chicago markets. Business school has 95%+ placement rate.
Program Rankings
- U.S. News ranks Butler #1 Regional University in Midwest for multiple years. Known for personalized education and professional preparation.
- No dedicated pre-law major but strong political science program. 85%+ acceptance rate to law schools for Butler graduates. Pre-Law Society very active.
- Lacy School of Business is AACSB-accredited (top 5% globally). Marketing program is particularly strong with experiential learning focus. Entrepreneurship program ranked among best in Midwest.
- Well-regarded program with research opportunities and strong clinical preparation. Active Psychology Club and Psi Chi honor society chapter.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program ranked in top 100 nationally. 3+3 accelerated pathway available. CAPTE-accredited program with 95%+ first-time board pass rate.
Student Faculty Ratio
11:1
Greek Life
Approximately 25-30% of students participate in Greek life. 9 fraternities and 8 sororities. Greek life is present but not dominant - plenty of social life outside Greek system. Mix of national and local organizations. Positive influence overall with strong philanthropy focus.
Social Scene
Vibrant and inclusive social scene. Mix of on-campus events, Greek parties, athletic events, and Indianapolis activities (Mass Ave, Broad Ripple, downtown). Students describe as friendly, welcoming, and collaborative rather than cutthroat. Strong sense of community. Active student organizations (150+).
School Spirit
EXCELLENT school spirit, especially around basketball. Butler Bulldogs basketball (Division I - Big East Conference) draws massive attendance and national attention. Hinkle Fieldhouse is historic venue. 'Butler Way' philosophy emphasizes excellence, humility, and teamwork. Strong traditions include: Homecoming, Spring Fest, Hoosier Hysteria (basketball kickoff). NOT a commuter school - vibrant residential campus.
Retention Rate
91% freshman retention rate (very strong indicator of student satisfaction)
Graduation Rate
80% six-year graduation rate
Weekend Activity
Very active weekend campus. Greek life hosts events, athletic events draw crowds, campus programming board (BUPB) plans concerts and activities. Indianapolis offers professional sports, concerts, museums. Students typically stay on/near campus on weekends.
Political Climate
Moderate to slightly conservative-leaning, but diverse viewpoints represented. Private university with diverse student body. Generally respectful political discourse. More moderate than polarized.
Setting
Urban campus in residential Indianapolis neighborhood (Broad Ripple area). Campus feels like a traditional college campus with green spaces and historic buildings, but located 5 miles from downtown Indianapolis. Best of both worlds - contained campus with city access.
Sunny Days
Indianapolis averages 186 sunny days per year (US average is 205). Four distinct seasons. Winters can be cold and gray (not ideal for sunshine lover). Spring and fall are beautiful. Summer is warm and humid.
Nature Access
Good nature access. Campus has tree-lined pathways and green spaces. Adjacent to Holcomb Gardens (20 acres of beautiful botanical gardens on campus). Canal Walk nearby for running/walking. Eagle Creek Park (one of largest municipal parks in US) is 15 minutes away with hiking, water activities. White River State Park downtown. Indiana Dunes National Park is 2 hours north.
Transportation
Campus is walkable. Free Butler shuttle system. IndyGo public bus system serves campus area. Many students have cars (parking available). Uber/Lyft readily available. Bike-friendly campus and surrounding area.
Nearest Airport
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) - approximately 15 miles/20-25 minutes from campus. Modern, easy-to-navigate airport with direct flights to most major US cities.
Surrounding Area
Broad Ripple neighborhood has restaurants, shops, nightlife (walking distance). Mass Ave arts district downtown (trendy, vibrant). Indianapolis offers: professional sports (Pacers, Colts, Indy 500), museums, performing arts, restaurants, internship opportunities. City is affordable and growing. More Midwestern friendly than East/West coast vibe.
Dance Team
Butler has the 'Butler Dance Team' which performs at basketball and football games. Competes in Division I. Team participates in UDA College Nationals. Tryouts held in spring (April/May). Walk-ons are welcome to try out - no dance major required. Team is competitive but accepts various skill levels. Also has a Pom Squad. Very visible at games given basketball's prominence.
Recreation
Health and Recreation Complex (HRC) with fitness center, pool, courts, climbing wall, group fitness classes. Intramural sports very popular (flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc.). Club sports available. Outdoor recreation trips offered. Holcomb Gardens for walking/relaxing. Easy access to Indianapolis cultural fitness options.
Food Quality
Generally positive reviews. Multiple dining halls and retail locations. Atherton Union has food court. Starbucks on campus. Recent renovations to dining facilities. Meal plans required for freshmen. Options include vegetarian, vegan, allergen-free. Off-campus dining in Broad Ripple adds variety.
Campus Beauty
Beautiful, traditional collegiate campus. Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse (National Historic Landmark). Gothic architecture mixed with modern facilities. Tree-lined pathways. Holcomb Gardens is stunning. Well-maintained grounds. Campus regularly ranked among most beautiful. Compact campus (290 acres) is easy to navigate.
Housing Quality
Good to very good housing. Freshmen guaranteed housing. Variety of options from traditional dorms to apartment-style. ResCo (Residential College) for freshmen creates community. Newer residence halls are quite nice (Ross Hall, Apartment Village). Most students live on/near campus first 2-3 years. University Terrace apartments for upperclassmen are popular.
Dance Team Contact
Dance Team Coach contact through Butler Athletics: (317) 940-9671 or through Butler Spirit Squads office. Email: athletics@butler.edu for dance team inquiries. Can also contact through Instagram: @butlerdanceteam
Similar Colleges
Colleges with scores within ±10 points
Top colleges in the same state
Colleges with similar academic profiles