Chestnut Hill vs Franklin Pierce: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs. Chestnut Hill runs $9,165 less per year; Chestnut Hill graduates 10 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 Chestnut Hill if…
- The number on the bill matters: Chestnut Hill lists $9,165 less per year in tuition and housing than Franklin Pierce, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Chestnut Hill graduates 10 percentage points more of its students than Franklin Pierce.
- Your transcript is a strength: Chestnut Hill admits 74% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Franklin Pierce if…
- 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 | Chestnut Hill | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $39,410 — Chestnut Hill leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $44,963 |
| Room & board | $12,300 — Chestnut Hill leads on this measure: lower room & board | $15,912 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $51,710 — Chestnut Hill leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $60,875 |
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 | Chestnut Hill | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 56% — Chestnut Hill leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 46% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $52,015/yr | $53,353/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,389 | $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. | 51% | 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 | Chestnut Hill | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 74% | 93% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,402 | 1,637 |
| Where it is | Philadelphia, PA | 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 | Chestnut Hill | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | CACC | NE10 |
| Head coach | David Scott | 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 | Chestnut Hill | Franklin Pierce |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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.
Chestnut Hill
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.
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.
Chestnut Hill vs Franklin Pierce: common questions
- Is Chestnut Hill or Franklin Pierce cheaper?
- On published price, Chestnut Hill is cheaper — about $51,710 a year in tuition and housing, against $60,875 at Franklin Pierce. 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, Chestnut Hill or Franklin Pierce?
- Chestnut Hill, at 56% against 46% at Franklin Pierce (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Chestnut Hill 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 Chestnut Hill and Franklin Pierce?
- Franklin Pierce runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Chestnut Hill, 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 Chestnut Hill and Franklin Pierce 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.
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