Butler University

Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855, it offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs through six colleges, including arts, business, communication, education, liberal arts and sciences, and pharmacy and health sciences. The university enrolls students in a residential campus setting on the city’s north side. Butler is known for its emphasis on liberal arts education, professional preparation, and experiential learning opportunities in areas such as health sciences, business, and the arts. Its Division I athletics programs compete in the Big East Conference. Students are often drawn to Butler University for its midsize campus environment and its connection to the Indianapolis community.

Butler University was founded in 1855 in Indianapolis, Indiana, as North Western Christian University. Established by attorney and abolitionist Ovid Butler and other members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the institution was created as a nonsectarian university committed to inclusivity and coeducation. Ovid Butler served as the first president and helped guide the university’s early development. In 1877, the school was renamed Butler University in his honor and later moved to the Irvington neighborhood. Growing enrollment after World War I led to the development of a new campus on Indianapolis’s north side, where classes began in 1928. Over time, Butler University expanded its academic offerings, adding professional programs and establishing multiple colleges. Today, Butler University operates as a comprehensive private university while maintaining its historic commitment to access and liberal education.