Butler University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Butler University charges a net price of $36,041/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $144,164. Graduates earn a median $77,235 ten years after entry, $28,875/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5 years — a 20-year net return of $433,336, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Butler University's 5-year payback ranks #423 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 67% of them, and #8 of 56 in Indiana.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $36,041/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $144,164 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $77,235 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $28,875/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $26,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $433,336 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Butler University's own numbers. Net price $36,041 × 4 years = $144,164 total. Median earnings $77,235 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $28,875 a year of premium. $144,164 ÷ $28,875 = 5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $433,336. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Butler University students graduate with?
A median $26,000 in federal loans among completers, or 34% of the $77,235 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Butler University students graduate?
80% finish their degree. Spread the $144,164 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $180,205 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Butler University expensive compared with other Indiana colleges?
Its $36,041 net price runs $16,344 above the $19,698 median across the 56 Indiana colleges we profile, or $65,374 more across the full degree.