Butler University has been recognized as one of 75 colleges and universities nationwide named to the “New Dream Schools” list featured in Dream School (on sale September 9, 2025), the latest book by New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo.
Dream School is the follow-up to Selingo’s acclaimed 2020 bestseller, Who Gets In and Why, which took readers inside the world of college admissions. This new book shifts the conversation from how colleges choose students to how students and families—including those focused on highly selective institutions—can more effectively choose strong colleges that better fit their needs. Backed by extensive research, including a survey of more than 3,000 parents, Dream School identifies the factors families value most: strong job prospects after graduation, hands-on learning opportunities, and a sense of belonging.
As part of the book, Selingo highlights 75 institutions across the country that embody these values. These “New Dream Schools” represent colleges that deliver accessible admissions, strong outcomes, affordability, and dynamic student experiences.
In the book, Selingo wrote of Butler, “With major health care companies like Eli Lilly, Anthem, and Roche Diagnostics headquartered in Butler’s hometown of Indianapolis, students have close access to internships and other professional opportunities. Butler emphasizes hands-on learning and small classes while having the feel of a larger university, especially with a men’s basketball team that competes in the BIG EAST Conference and has gone to the Final Four. Butler is well-known for its health care programs, and now has started a bachelor’s degree in nursing.” He added that Butler’s six-year graduation rate matches that of selective private universities, while the acceptance rate promises greater access for applicants.
“We are honored to be recognized as a ‘New Dream School,’” said Butler University President James Danko. “At Butler, we are deeply committed to preparing students for lifelong success through experiential learning, meaningful and relevant career pathways, and a vibrant campus community. Especially in times of increased focus on the return on investment of a college degree, this recognition affirms the strong value of a Butler education and the impact our graduates have across industries and communities.”
The list was compiled using extensive national datasets and new research, in partnership with higher education experts and organizations such as the HEA Group, Bain & Company, the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), and the Burning Glass Institute. Out of more than 3,900 U.S. colleges and universities, the final 75 were chosen for their ability to combine accessibility and affordability with better-than-expected outcomes and career preparation. This recognition follows several others for Butler University this year. U.S. News & World Report again ranked Butler the No. 1 Midwest University, and Butler was nationally ranked for Best Physician Assistant programs (No. 14), Online Master’s in Business Programs-excluding MBA (No. 28), Study Abroad Opportunities (tied for No. 24) and First-Year Experiences (tied for No. 30). Additionally, Poets&Quants Best Undergraduate Business Schools rankings placed Butler at No. 8 nationally for academic experience, No. 1 for effectiveness of career advising, and No. 2 for quality of teaching.
Selingo, a nationally respected higher education journalist, has written about colleges and universities for more than 25 years. He is a regular contributor to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and serves as a professor of practice and special advisor to the president at Arizona State University. His previous book, Who Gets In and Why, was named one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2020.
Dream School will be available wherever books are sold on September 9, 2025.