Dartmouth vs Maryland: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Maryland runs $29,026 less per year out of state; Dartmouth graduates 7 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 Dartmouth if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Dartmouth graduates 7 percentage points more of its students than Maryland.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Dartmouth graduates earn about $9,260 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Dartmouth rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Maryland.
Lean Maryland if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Maryland lists $29,026 less per year in tuition and housing than Dartmouth.
- You would be in-state: Maryland is $54,234 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Dartmouth.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Maryland is $2,500 lower than at Dartmouth.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 2 camps at Maryland against none listed at Dartmouth.
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 | Dartmouth | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $65,739 | $11,505 — Maryland leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $65,739 | $40,306 — Maryland leads on this measure: lower published out-of-state tuition |
| Room & board | $19,009 | $15,416 — Maryland leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $84,748 | $26,921 — Maryland leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $84,748 | $55,722 — Maryland leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
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 | Dartmouth | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 96% — Dartmouth leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 89% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $97,434/yr — Dartmouth leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $88,174/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,500 | $15,000 — Maryland 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. | 18% | 17% — Maryland leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn |
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 | Dartmouth | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 5% | — |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | — | #46 |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 6,746 | 40,813 |
| Where it is | Hanover, NH | College Park, MD |
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 | Dartmouth | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Ivy League | Big Ten |
| Conference level | Mid-Major | Power Conference |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | None since 2021 |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Competitive | Very Competitive |
| Head coach | Hillary Smith | Lauren Karn |
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 | Dartmouth | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 2 listed |
| 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.
Dartmouth
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.
Dartmouth vs Maryland: common questions
- Is Dartmouth or Maryland cheaper?
- On published price, Maryland is cheaper — about $55,722 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $84,748 at Dartmouth. 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, Dartmouth or Maryland?
- Dartmouth, at 96% against 89% at Maryland (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Dartmouth and Maryland 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?
- Maryland rates very competitive against competitive at Dartmouth. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Dartmouth and Maryland run softball camps?
- We track 2 camps at Maryland and none currently listed at Dartmouth. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Dartmouth and Maryland?
- 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 Dartmouth and Maryland accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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