INDIANAPOLIS — Butler University officials announced a new two-year program Friday that will allow students to earn their associate degree. This program is designed for students who are Pell-eligible, first-generation or from low-income households.
Students will earn their degree with no debt or out-of-pocket expenses. If they wish to earn their bachelor's degree, they can do that for less than $10,000.
"Four years ago, I stood at a stage when we announced our new strategy, and I talked about the challenges of making sure Butler education could be affordable to everyone," Butler President Jim Danko said.
Butler has teamed up with Come To Believe Network to create the program. Come To Believe Network is a national nonprofit that started Arrupe College at Loyola Chicago. The college at Butler is the third in the nation.
"By doing this, Butler has a place at the table of the national conversation," Father Steve Catsouros, with Come To Believe Network, said.
Butler's tuition for the 2023-2024 school year is around $45,000, and Danko said this new college will give the ones who felt they couldn't go to college a more affordable option.
"It gets us back to what we should be doing, all of higher education should take seriously of educating a greater number of people and being sensitive to the fact that so many can't afford a college education like they had been able to in the past," Danko said.
The college will open in 2025, and enrollment will begin next year. Students are able to earn a business or allied health degree, but the university said more degrees will be offered in the future.