Butler University

Collegiate Clothing

Butler University is a private, comprehensive institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana, known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. Founded in 1855 by abolitionist Ovid Butler, the university was originally named North Western Christian University and later renamed in honor of its visionary founder. Today, Butler spans over 300 acres in a historic neighborhood just five miles from downtown Indianapolis, blending the charm of a traditional campus with the vibrancy of an urban setting.


Academics

Butler is organized into seven colleges, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across a wide range of disciplines:

  • Andre B. Lacy School of Business

  • College of Communication

  • College of Education

  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

  • College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

  • Jordan College of the Arts

  • Founder’s College (focused on accessibility and equity for local students)

With over 60 majors, 8 pre-professional programs, and 19 graduate programs, Butler emphasizes small class sizes (average of 21 students) and a student-faculty ratio of 11:1, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship.


Innovation & Rankings

Butler consistently ranks among the top universities in the Midwest:

  • #1 Regional University – Midwest (U.S. News & World Report, 2024)

  • #1 Most Innovative School – Midwest (10 years running)

  • Top 30 Nationally for First-Year Experiences and Study Abroad Opportunities

The university fosters research through initiatives like the Butler Institute for Research and Scholarship and the Butler Summer Institute, offering students hands-on opportunities to collaborate with faculty on original projects.

Diversity & Inclusion

From its founding, Butler has been a trailblazer in equality:

  • Among the first U.S. universities to admit women and students of color on equal footing

  • Established the first endowed chair for a female professor in the U.S. (Demia Butler Chair of English Literature)

  • Home to the first chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, a sorority for African American women


Campus & Facilities

Butler’s campus is a blend of historic architecture and modern innovation:

  • Arthur Jordan Memorial Hall (1928) – Collegiate Gothic style, listed on the National Register of Historic Places

  • Hinkle Fieldhouse – Historic basketball arena and National Historic Landmark

  • Irwin Library – Designed by Minoru Yamasaki, architect of the original World Trade Center

  • Clowes Memorial Hall – Premier performing arts venue

  • Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium – Features one of Indiana’s largest telescopes

  • Bill and Joanne Dugan Hall – Cutting-edge home of the Lacy School of Business


Student Life & Outcomes

Butler students are deeply engaged both on and off campus:

  • 150+ student organizations

  • 40% study abroad

  • 80% complete internships

  • 98% placement rate into careers or graduate school within six months of graduation

  • Median starting salary: $65,162


Spirit & Identity

The university’s mascot, Butler Blue IV, represents the proud Bulldogs spirit. Butler competes in NCAA Division I athletics, primarily in the Big East Conference, and is known for its passionate fan base and historic basketball legacy