Assumption vs Franklin Pierce: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs in the NE10. Franklin Pierce runs $3,685 less per year; Assumption graduates 29 points more of its students.
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 Assumption if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Assumption graduates 29 percentage points more of its students than Franklin Pierce.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Assumption graduates earn about $21,542 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Assumption admits 83% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Franklin Pierce if…
- The number on the bill matters: Franklin Pierce lists $3,685 less per year in tuition and housing than Assumption, and neither charges by residency.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Franklin Pierce admits 93% of applicants.
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 | Assumption | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $49,414 | $44,963 — Franklin Pierce leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $15,146 — Assumption leads on this measure: lower room & board | $15,912 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $64,560 | $60,875 — Franklin Pierce leads on this measure: lower total cost per year |
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 | Assumption | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 75% — Assumption leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 46% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $74,895/yr — Assumption leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $53,353/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 | $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. | 36% — Assumption leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 51% |
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 | Assumption | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 83% | 93% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,046 | 1,637 |
| Where it is | Worcester, MA | Rindge, NH |
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 | Assumption | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Stacey Mayer | Andrew Klaus |
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 | Assumption | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division II, so the scholarship rules are identical: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Assumption
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.
Franklin Pierce
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.
Assumption vs Franklin Pierce: common questions
- Is Assumption or Franklin Pierce cheaper?
- On published price, Franklin Pierce is cheaper — about $60,875 a year in tuition and housing, against $64,560 at Assumption. 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, Assumption or Franklin Pierce?
- Assumption, at 75% against 46% at Franklin Pierce (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Assumption and Franklin Pierce offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division II: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
- How do I contact the coaches at Assumption and Franklin Pierce?
- 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 Assumption and Franklin Pierce accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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