Drake vs Notre Dame: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs. Drake runs $18,269 less per year; Notre Dame graduates 20 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 Drake if…
- The number on the bill matters: Drake lists $18,269 less per year in tuition and housing than Notre Dame, and neither charges by residency.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 3 camps at Drake against none listed at Notre Dame.
- You want the more realistic path to a roster spot: Drake rates competitive to recruit against very competitive at Notre Dame.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Drake admits 64% of applicants.
Lean Notre Dame if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Notre Dame graduates 20 percentage points more of its students than Drake.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Notre Dame graduates earn about $28,079 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Notre Dame is $4,000 lower than at Drake.
- You want to play in June: Notre Dame has reached 3 more NCAA tournaments than Drake since 2021.
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 | Drake | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $49,944 — Drake leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $62,693 |
| Room & board | $11,858 — Drake leads on this measure: lower room & board | $17,378 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $61,802 — Drake leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $80,071 |
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 | Drake | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 77% | 97% — Notre Dame leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $71,901/yr | $99,980/yr — Notre Dame leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,000 | $19,000 — Notre Dame 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. | 32% | 19% — Notre Dame 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 | Drake | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 64% | 11% |
| U.S. News rankU.S. News Best Colleges 2026. Only ranked institutions appear. | — | #18 |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 4,504 | 13,174 |
| Where it is | Des Moines, IA | Notre Dame, IN |
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 | Drake | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | Missouri Valley | ACC |
| Conference level | High Major | Power Conference |
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | None since 2021 | 3 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Solid | Strong |
| Recruiting difficultyHow hard it typically is to earn a roster spot here. | Competitive | Very Competitive |
| Head coach | Lindsay Diehl | Kris Ganeff |
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 | Drake | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 3 listed (3 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | 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.
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
Notre Dame
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 vs Notre Dame: common questions
- Is Drake or Notre Dame cheaper?
- On published price, Drake is cheaper — about $61,802 a year in tuition and housing, against $80,071 at Notre Dame. 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, Drake or Notre Dame?
- Notre Dame, at 97% against 77% at Drake (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Drake and Notre Dame 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?
- Notre Dame rates very competitive against competitive at Drake. This is an elite D1 program. Recruits typically have extensive travel ball experience, strong academics, and begin the recruiting process early.
- Do Drake and Notre Dame run softball camps?
- We track 3 camps at Drake and none currently listed at Notre Dame. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Drake and Notre Dame?
- 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 Drake and Notre Dame accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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