Dayton vs Drake: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Dayton lists $2,344 less in tuition; Dayton graduates 5 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 Dayton if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Dayton graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than Drake.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Dayton graduates earn about $3,636 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Dayton has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than Drake since 2021.
Lean Drake if…
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Drake against none listed at Dayton.
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 | Dayton | Drake |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $47,600 — Dayton leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $49,944 |
| Room & board | $15,640 | $11,858 — Drake leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $63,240 | $61,802 |
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 | Dayton | Drake |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 82% — Dayton leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 77% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $75,537/yr — Dayton leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $71,901/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 | $23,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 31% — Dayton leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 32% |
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 | Dayton | Drake |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 65% | 64% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 11,304 | 4,504 |
| Where it is | Dayton, OH | Des Moines, IA |
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 | Dayton | Drake |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Atlantic 10 | Missouri Valley |
| Conference level | Mid-Major | High Major |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 1 of the last 6 tournaments | None since 2021 |
| Head coach | Cara Clark | Lindsay Diehl |
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 | Dayton | Drake |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 3 listed (3 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.
Dayton
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.
Drake
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- August Prospect CampAugust 22nd, 2026 · 8th - College Junior Grade as of Fall 20 · Register
- Junior Bulldogs CampAugust 29th, 2026 · 3rd - 7th Grade as of Fall 2026 · Register
- September Prospect CampSeptember 26th, 2026 · 8th - College Junior Grade as of Fall 20 · Register
Dayton vs Drake: common questions
- Is Dayton or Drake cheaper?
- Published cost is effectively the same — about $63,240 a year in tuition and housing at both, before any aid. Cost is unlikely to be what decides this one.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Dayton or Drake?
- Dayton, at 82% against 77% at Drake (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Dayton and Drake 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.
- Do Dayton and Drake run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at Drake and none currently listed at Dayton. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Dayton and Drake?
- 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 Dayton and Drake accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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