Aquinas vs Lawrence Technological University: Softball Program Comparison
Two NAIA programs in the WHAC. Aquinas runs $4,028 less per year; Lawrence Technological University graduates earn $19,567 more a decade out.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Aquinas if…
- The number on the bill matters: Aquinas lists $4,028 less per year in tuition and housing than Lawrence Technological University, and neither charges by residency.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Aquinas is $4,000 lower than at Lawrence Technological University.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Aquinas against none listed at Lawrence Technological University.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Aquinas admits 90% of applicants.
Lean Lawrence Technological University if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Lawrence Technological University graduates earn about $19,567 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Lawrence Technological University admits 56% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Aquinas | Lawrence Technological University |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $38,520 — Aquinas leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $41,872 |
| Room & board | $10,994 — Aquinas leads on this measure: lower room & board | $11,670 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $49,514 — Aquinas leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $53,542 |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Aquinas | Lawrence Technological University |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 63% | 63% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $49,584/yr | $69,151/yr — Lawrence Technological University leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,000 — Aquinas leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $27,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 46% | 39% — Lawrence Technological University leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Aquinas | Lawrence Technological University |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 90% | 56% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,295 | 3,260 |
| Where it is | Grand Rapids, MI | Southfield, MI |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Aquinas | Lawrence Technological University |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Patty Jansen | Michael Mease |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | Aquinas | Lawrence Technological University |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NAIA, so the scholarship rules are identical: 10 (equivalency). NAIA softball allows 10 scholarship equivalencies, and coaches have flexibility in how they divide them. Most awards are partial, frequently stacked with academic aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
Lawrence Technological University
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Aquinas vs Lawrence Technological University: common questions
- Is Aquinas or Lawrence Technological University cheaper?
- On published price, Aquinas is cheaper — about $49,514 a year in tuition and housing, against $53,542 at Lawrence Technological University. That is sticker price; athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off it, so ask both coaches what an actual offer would look like.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Aquinas or Lawrence Technological University?
- Both report a 63% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Aquinas and Lawrence Technological University offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NAIA: 10 (equivalency). NAIA softball allows 10 scholarship equivalencies, and coaches have flexibility in how they divide them. Most awards are partial, frequently stacked with academic aid.
- Do Aquinas and Lawrence Technological University run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Aquinas and none currently listed at Lawrence Technological University. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Aquinas and Lawrence Technological University?
- Both programs run a recruiting questionnaire, and that is the right first move — it is exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit it at any age. Fill out both, then follow with an email to each staff.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Aquinas and Lawrence Technological University accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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