Butler University Launches Undergraduate Engineering Program

INDIANAPOLIS — The need for engineers across the country is large, with Indiana facing a particularly pressing shortage. To address this issue, Butler University is launching a new undergraduate engineering program.

The university's goal is to bridge the gap between available jobs and qualified applicants as soon as possible. Recent data from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Indiana reveals that over 50% of engineering firms in the state struggle to find qualified talent.

"There’s a large gap," said Jeff Carvell, the new Department Chair for Engineering at Butler University.

The demand for engineers spans various sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and even the life sciences. The shortage is not limited to one industry, but rather is a statewide problem that is only continuing to grow.

"There are thousands and thousands of more jobs in engineering over the next five to ten years that are going to be added, beyond what is already here," said Carvell.

Jay Howard, Interim Provost at Butler University, shared that the university had been in long discussions with various companies when coming up with this new engineering program.

“We heard from them again and again about their need for engineers of various types," he stated.

The university wants to launch the program as soon as possible to meet this demand. Howard believes that Butler University can deliver engineering in a unique way, providing both high-quality engineering education and liberal arts skills.

“We think we can deliver engineering in a unique way. An engineering program that is high-quality engineering but also provides those kinds of liberal arts skills.”

Carvell knows firsthand the value of this combination, having graduated from Butler University's Engineering Dual Diversity program back in 2006.

“I myself came from Chicago. I came here 25 years ago and never left," he said.

He expressed pride at his alma mater's commitment to retaining students in the region.

“Butler University is the largest in the region to bring students in and keep them in central Indiana," Carvell said.

The inaugural class of the engineering program at Butler University is set to begin in the fall of 2026.