Aurora vs North Park: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Aurora runs $4,640 less per year; Aurora graduates 2 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 Aurora if…
- The number on the bill matters: Aurora lists $4,640 less per year in tuition and housing than North Park, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Aurora graduates 2 percentage points more of its students than North Park.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Aurora is $5,182 lower than at North Park.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Aurora admits 81% of applicants.
Lean North Park if…
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at North Park against none listed at Aurora.
- Your transcript is a strength: North Park admits 69% 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 | Aurora | North Park |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $28,220 — Aurora leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $35,325 |
| Room & board | $13,240 | $10,775 — North Park leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $41,460 — Aurora leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $46,100 |
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 | Aurora | North Park |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 58% — Aurora leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 56% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $58,709/yr | $59,572/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,318 — Aurora leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $25,500 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 35% — Aurora leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 43% |
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 | Aurora | North Park |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 81% | 69% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 5,935 | 2,624 |
| Where it is | Aurora, IL | Chicago, IL |
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 | Aurora | North Park |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | NACC | CCIW |
| Head coach | Mike McKenzie | Katie Anderson |
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 | Aurora | North Park |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 1 listed |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division III, so the scholarship rules are identical: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
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.
Aurora
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.
Aurora vs North Park: common questions
- Is Aurora or North Park cheaper?
- On published price, Aurora is cheaper — about $41,460 a year in tuition and housing, against $46,100 at North Park. 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, Aurora or North Park?
- Aurora, at 58% against 56% at North Park (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Aurora and North Park offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division III: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
- Do Aurora and North Park run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at North Park and none currently listed at Aurora. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Aurora and North Park?
- 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 Aurora and North Park accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
Start free