Bethel vs William Woods: Softball Program Comparison
Two NAIA programs. William Woods runs $2,618 less per year; Bethel graduates earn $6,459 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 Bethel if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Bethel graduates earn about $6,459 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Bethel admits 98% of applicants.
Lean William Woods if…
- The number on the bill matters: William Woods lists $2,618 less per year in tuition and housing than Bethel, and neither charges by residency.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at William Woods is $3,017 lower than at Bethel.
- Your transcript is a strength: William Woods admits 71% 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 | Bethel | William Woods |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $33,320 | $28,860 — William Woods leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $10,560 — Bethel leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,402 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $43,880 | $41,262 — William Woods 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 | Bethel | William Woods |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 57% | 57% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $48,860/yr — Bethel leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $42,401/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 | $21,983 — William Woods leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 51% | 52% |
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 | Bethel | William Woods |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 98% | 71% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,222 | 1,729 |
| Where it is | Mishawaka, IN | Fulton, MO |
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 | Bethel | William Woods |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CROSS | HAAC |
| Head coach | Natalie Newell | Tracy Gastineau |
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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Bethel
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.
William Woods
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.
Bethel vs William Woods: common questions
- Is Bethel or William Woods cheaper?
- On published price, William Woods is cheaper — about $41,262 a year in tuition and housing, against $43,880 at Bethel. 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, Bethel or William Woods?
- Both report a 57% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Bethel and William Woods 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.
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 Bethel and William Woods accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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