Boston vs Holy Cross: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Patriot. Holy Cross runs $4,678 less per year; Holy Cross graduates earn $7,305 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 Boston if…
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Boston is $3,750 lower than at Holy Cross.
- You want to play in June: Boston has reached 5 more NCAA tournaments than Holy Cross since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Boston against none listed at Holy Cross.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Boston rates strong against solid at Holy Cross.
Lean Holy Cross if…
- The number on the bill matters: Holy Cross lists $4,678 less per year in tuition and housing than Boston, and neither charges by residency.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Holy Cross graduates earn about $7,305 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Holy Cross rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Boston.
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 | Boston | Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $65,168 | $60,850 — Holy Cross leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $18,110 | $17,750 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $83,278 | $78,600 — Holy Cross 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 | Boston | Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 90% | 90% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $83,238/yr | $90,543/yr — Holy Cross leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 — Boston 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. | 28% — Boston leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 30% |
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 | Boston | Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 11% | 18% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 36,624 | 3,035 |
| Where it is | Boston, MA | Worcester, MA |
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 | Boston | Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 5 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Very Competitive | Competitive |
| Head coach | Ashley Waters | Jon Ladino |
| In the job since | 2015 | — |
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 | Boston | Holy Cross |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
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.
Boston
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Boston University Softball Camps
- Best of Boston | August 8th08/08/2026 · 8th Grade - 12th Grade · $350 - $375
Holy Cross
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.
Boston vs Holy Cross: common questions
- Is Boston or Holy Cross cheaper?
- On published price, Holy Cross is cheaper — about $78,600 a year in tuition and housing, against $83,278 at Boston. 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, Boston or Holy Cross?
- Both report a 90% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Boston and Holy Cross offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- Which is harder to get recruited by?
- Boston rates very competitive against competitive at Holy Cross. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Boston and Holy Cross run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Boston and none currently listed at Holy Cross. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Boston and Holy Cross?
- 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 Boston and Holy Cross accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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