Is Butler University a Catholic college?

No. Butler University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Butler Catholic Community.

Where is Mass celebrated at Butler University?

Mass is listed at Sweeney Chapel (South Campus), Jordan Hall 216, and St. Luke Catholic Church (7575 Holliday Dr E). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

College · Catholic life on campus

Butler University

LocationIndianapolis, IN
Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 5,763 students

Official website

Butler University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

Butler Catholic Community is the Catholic student community on the Butler University campus in Indianapolis. It holds Sunday Mass in Sweeney Chapel on South Campus during the school year, a Wednesday Mass on campus, and weekday Masses at St. Luke Catholic Church. It publishes weekly confession and Tuesday adoration times, along with Bible studies, small groups, Sunday suppers, retreats, service, and RCIA.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 6

Sunday4:00 PMSweeney Chapel (South Campus) · During the school year.
Wednesday5:00 PMJordan Hall 216 · During the school year. The faith page gives Jordan Hall 242.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday11:30 AMSt. Luke Catholic Church (7575 Holliday Dr E) · Off campus; listed on the ministry's Mass times page.
Monday–Friday5:30 PMSt. Luke Catholic Church (7575 Holliday Dr E) · Off campus; listed on the ministry's Mass times page.
Tuesday, Thursday8:15 AMSt. Luke Catholic Church (7575 Holliday Dr E) · Off campus; listed on the ministry's Mass times page.
Tuesday5:30 PMNot stated · The page notes Eucharistic adoration at 5:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Confession 2

Sunday3:00 PMSouth Campus · 3:00 to 3:50 PM before Mass.
Tuesday7:00 PMSweeney Chapel (South Campus) · During adoration, 7:00 to 8:00 PM.

Adoration 1

Tuesday7:00 PMSweeney Chapel (South Campus) · 7:00 to 8:00 PM during the school year.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (2)

Mass Times | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Sweeney Chapel (South Campus) during the school year”
The Sunday Mass at 4:00 PM is listed at Sweeney Chapel on South Campus during the school year.
“Jordan Hall 216 during the school year”
The Mass times page lists a Wednesday Mass at 5:00 PM in Jordan Hall during the school year.
“M W F 11:30 AM”
The Mass times page lists a Monday, Wednesday and Friday Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church.
“MonFri 5:30 PM”
The Mass times page lists a weekday Mass at 5:30 PM at St. Luke Catholic Church.
“Tue Thu 8:15 AM”
The Mass times page lists a Tuesday and Thursday Mass at 8:15 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church.
“With Eucharistic Adoration at 5:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas”
The Mass times page lists a Tuesday 5:30 PM Mass; the adjoining note places Eucharistic adoration at 5:00 PM at St. Thomas Aquinas.
“Tuesday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM During Adoration”
The Mass times page lists Tuesday 7:00 to 8:00 PM during adoration, the confession and adoration slot.
“Tuesday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM During Adoration”
The Mass times page lists Tuesday 7:00 to 8:00 PM during adoration, the confession and adoration slot.
Faith | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Before Mass on Sundays 3-3:50 pm in South Campus Tuesdays during Adoration, 7-8 pm in South Campus”
The ministry lists confession times before Sunday Mass and on Tuesdays during adoration.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

Saint Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church — 0.7 mi
Saint Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church — 1.3 mi
Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church — 1.8 mi
Bishop Chartrand Memorial Chapel — 2.2 mi
Saint Monica Catholic Church — 2.4 mi · 6131 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Our Lord Jesus Christ the King Catholic Church — 2.9 mi · 1827 Kessler Boulevard East Drive, Indianapolis

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

Catholic life on campus

78 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
Sources (2)
1. Butler Catholic Community, Archdiocese of Indianapolisbutler-catholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “We are the Butler Catholic Community on the campus of Butler University.”
  The Butler Catholic Community describes itself as the Catholic community on the Butler University campus.
2. About the Compass Center | Butler Universitybutler.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/compass-center/cfv-staff-and-community-advisors · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “and now as the chaplain of the Butler Catholic Community”
  Fr. James Brockmeier is the chaplain of the Butler Catholic Community.
Not enough information:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Partly:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (The named priest is chaplain of the ministry. He also serves as rector of a cathedral and as director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.)
Sources (1)
1. About the Compass Center | Butler Universitybutler.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/compass-center/cfv-staff-and-community-advisors · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “and now as the chaplain of the Butler Catholic Community”
  Fr. James Brockmeier is the chaplain of the Butler Catholic Community.
  “Fr. James also serves as the Rector of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul downtown and the director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.”
  Fr. James Brockmeier also serves as rector of the cathedral and director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.
Partly:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (One weekday Mass is held on campus, Wednesday at 5:00 PM. The ministry's Mass times page also lists weekday Masses at St. Luke Catholic Church, an off-campus parish, which are not counted here.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass Times | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Jordan Hall 216 during the school year”
  The Mass times page lists a Wednesday Mass at 5:00 PM in Jordan Hall during the school year.
Partly:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (One weekend Mass is published on campus: Sunday at 4:00 PM during the school year.)
Sources (2)
1. Faith | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mass is celebrated on campus during the school year on Sundays at 4 pm in the Sweeney Chapel on South Campus and Wednesdays at 5 pm in Jordan Hall 242.”
  The ministry states that Mass is celebrated on campus on Sundays at 4 PM in Sweeney Chapel and on Wednesdays at 5 PM.
2. Mass Times | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sweeney Chapel (South Campus) during the school year”
  The Sunday Mass at 4:00 PM is listed at Sweeney Chapel on South Campus during the school year.
Yes:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Confession is scheduled before Sunday Mass (3:00 to 3:50 PM) and on Tuesdays during adoration (7:00 to 8:00 PM). The Get Involved page also says the chaplain hears confessions by appointment.)
Sources (2)
1. Faith | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Before Mass on Sundays 3-3:50 pm in South Campus Tuesdays during Adoration, 7-8 pm in South Campus”
  The ministry lists confession times before Sunday Mass and on Tuesdays during adoration.
2. Mass Times | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Tuesday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM During Adoration”
  The Mass times page lists Tuesday 7:00 to 8:00 PM during adoration, the confession and adoration slot.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (Two or more student groups are listed: Bible studies (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and weekly student-led small groups, alongside the Butler Catholic Community itself.)
Sources (2)
1. Bible Studies - Butler Catholic Community, Archdiocese of Indianapolisbutler-catholic.org/bible-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Bible Studies - Butler Catholic Community, Archdiocese of Indianapolis”
  The ministry publishes a Bible studies page, with sessions listed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
2. Fellowship | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/fellowship · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “These weekly groups provide an opportunity for sharing, discussion, and support.”
  The ministry runs weekly student-led small groups.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Several kinds of formation are listed: a first-year retreat, a fall retreat for all students, RCIA, and service.)
Sources (3)
1. Encounter | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/encounter · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Encounter is a mini retreat just for first-year students, including transfer students!”
  The ministry runs a mini retreat for first-year and transfer students.
2. Faith | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Open to all students, join us for a weekend of prayer, fellowship, and revival as we encounter Christ with one another.”
  The ministry lists a fall retreat open to all students; the date is listed as to be determined.
3. Get Involved | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (or RCIA) is the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church”
  The ministry offers RCIA for adults entering the Catholic Church.
  “Students join volunteers from across the archdiocese once a month in distributing food and essential supplies to the homeless in downtown Indianapolis.”
  Students join archdiocesan volunteers monthly to distribute food and supplies downtown.
Yes:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (16 weekly times documented: 13 Mass, 2 confession, 1 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

Sunday Mass is published on campus at 4:00 PM during the school year, with a weekly confession slot before it.
Sources (1)
1. Faith | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/faith · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Mass is celebrated on campus during the school year on Sundays at 4 pm in the Sweeney Chapel on South Campus and Wednesdays at 5 pm in Jordan Hall 242.”
  The ministry states that Mass is celebrated on campus on Sundays at 4 PM in Sweeney Chapel and on Wednesdays at 5 PM.
  “Before Mass on Sundays 3-3:50 pm in South Campus Tuesdays during Adoration, 7-8 pm in South Campus”
  The ministry lists confession times before Sunday Mass and on Tuesdays during adoration.
The ministry lists several student programs: Bible studies, weekly small groups, a first-year retreat, a fall retreat, service and RCIA.
Sources (4)
1. Bible Studies - Butler Catholic Community, Archdiocese of Indianapolisbutler-catholic.org/bible-studies · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Bible Studies - Butler Catholic Community, Archdiocese of Indianapolis”
  The ministry publishes a Bible studies page, with sessions listed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
2. Fellowship | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/fellowship · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “These weekly groups provide an opportunity for sharing, discussion, and support.”
  The ministry runs weekly student-led small groups.
3. Encounter | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/encounter · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Encounter is a mini retreat just for first-year students, including transfer students!”
  The ministry runs a mini retreat for first-year and transfer students.
4. Get Involved | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/get-involved · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (or RCIA) is the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church”
  The ministry offers RCIA for adults entering the Catholic Church.

Concerns

The only weekday Mass published on campus is on Wednesdays, and weekday Masses on other days are listed at St. Luke Catholic Church off campus.
Sources (1)
1. Mass Times | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/mass-times · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Jordan Hall 216 during the school year”
  The Mass times page lists a Wednesday Mass at 5:00 PM in Jordan Hall during the school year.
  “M W F 11:30 AM”
  The Mass times page lists a Monday, Wednesday and Friday Mass at 11:30 AM at St. Luke Catholic Church.
  “MonFri 5:30 PM”
  The Mass times page lists a weekday Mass at 5:30 PM at St. Luke Catholic Church.
The named chaplain also serves in other archdiocesan roles.
Sources (1)
1. About the Compass Center | Butler Universitybutler.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/compass-center/cfv-staff-and-community-advisors · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. James also serves as the Rector of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul downtown and the director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.”
  Fr. James Brockmeier also serves as rector of the cathedral and director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Butler Catholic Community

Location: On campus
Facilities: chapel (Sweeney Chapel, South Campus, during the school year)

Source: butler-catholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, butler-catholic.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

8 groups and regular activities · 2 on campus, 1 off campus, 5 location not published

Service 2

Operation LeftoverOff campus
Once a month
Students join archdiocesan volunteers distributing food and supplies in downtown Indianapolis.
butler-catholic.org
Food pantry service
One Saturday morning a month
Students staff the local St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
butler-catholic.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

Sunday Mass and Sunday SupperOn campus
Sundays 4:00 PM during the school year
Sunday Mass in Sweeney Chapel on South Campus, followed by a Sunday supper.
butler-catholic.org, butler-catholic.org

Retreats 2

Encounter (first-year mini retreat)On campus
September 5, 2025
Mini retreat for first-year and transfer students in the South Campus Main Building.
butler-catholic.org, butler-catholic.org
BCC Fall Retreat
Fall 2025 (date to be determined on page)
Weekend of prayer and fellowship open to all students.
butler-catholic.org

Faith formation 2

Bible Studies
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Bible study sessions listed by the ministry.
butler-catholic.org
RCIA (Becoming Catholic)
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults for students and others entering the Catholic Church; contact the director.
butler-catholic.org

Clubs and groups 1

Small Groups
Weekly
Weekly student-led small groups for sharing, discussion and support.
butler-catholic.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Butler Catholic Community

Sources (2)

Butler Catholic Community, Archdiocese of Indianapolisbutler-catholic.org · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“We are the Butler Catholic Community on the campus of Butler University.”
The Butler Catholic Community describes itself as the Catholic community on the Butler University campus.
“We are the Butler Catholic Community on the campus of Butler University.”
The Butler Catholic Community describes itself as the Catholic community on the Butler University campus.
“4615 Sunset Avenue | Indianapolis, IN 46208”
The ministry's published address is 4615 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208.
Staff | Butler Catholic Communitybutler-catholic.org/staff · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Fr. James Brockmeier Chaplain”
Fr. James Brockmeier is listed as chaplain, and Cheyenne Johnson as Director of Campus Ministry, with the ministry's phone number.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. James Brockmeier (Chaplain) and 2 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

86 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score80%
First-year retention 20% of score87%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,274 · ACT 28.5
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score11 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$14,447

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	4,519
Total students	5,763
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$36,041
Cost of attendance (per year)	$65,970
Median federal debt at graduation	$26,000
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	80%
First-year retention	87%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$77,235
Admission rate	85%
Students receiving Pell grants	15%

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1274
SAT reading & writing	590–680
SAT math	570–670
ACT composite	26–31
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 56 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Indianapolis

The Most Reverend Charles C. Thompson, Archbishop of Indianapolis

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county using NCES Catholic school records. Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 150163
Carnegie classification: Master's university (larger programs)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
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Questions families ask

Is Butler University a Catholic college?: No. Butler University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Butler Catholic Community.
What is Butler University’s Catholic Life Score?: 80 out of 100 (grade B). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Butler University?: Mass is listed at Sweeney Chapel (South Campus), Jordan Hall 216, and St. Luke Catholic Church (7575 Holliday Dr E). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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