Austin vs Texas Lutheran: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs in the SCAC. Texas Lutheran runs $13,195 less per year; Austin graduates 14 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 Austin if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Austin graduates 14 percentage points more of its students than Texas Lutheran.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Austin graduates earn about $7,433 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Your transcript is a strength: Austin admits 48% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Texas Lutheran if…
- The number on the bill matters: Texas Lutheran lists $13,195 less per year in tuition and housing than Austin, and neither charges by residency.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Texas Lutheran admits 96% 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 | Austin | Texas Lutheran |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $46,500 | $34,920 — Texas Lutheran leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $13,495 | $11,880 — Texas Lutheran leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $59,995 | $46,800 — Texas Lutheran 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 | Austin | Texas Lutheran |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 69% — Austin leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 55% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $61,296/yr — Austin leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $53,863/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,500 | $25,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 40% — Austin leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 46% |
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 | Austin | Texas Lutheran |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 48% | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,136 | 1,361 |
| Where it is | Sherman, TX | Seguin, TX |
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 | Austin | Texas Lutheran |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Brandon Johnson | Wade Wilson |
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 | Austin | Texas Lutheran |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | — |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Austin
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.
Texas Lutheran
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Austin vs Texas Lutheran: common questions
- Is Austin or Texas Lutheran cheaper?
- On published price, Texas Lutheran is cheaper — about $46,800 a year in tuition and housing, against $59,995 at Austin. 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, Austin or Texas Lutheran?
- Austin, at 69% against 55% at Texas Lutheran (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Austin and Texas Lutheran 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Austin and Texas Lutheran?
- Austin runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Texas Lutheran, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
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 Austin and Texas Lutheran accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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