East Texas Baptist vs Thomas: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. East Texas Baptist runs $3,895 less per year; Thomas graduates 3 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 East Texas Baptist if…
- The number on the bill matters: East Texas Baptist lists $3,895 less per year in tuition and housing than Thomas, and neither charges by residency.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: East Texas Baptist graduates earn about $7,797 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at East Texas Baptist is $1,000 lower than at Thomas.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at East Texas Baptist against none listed at Thomas.
Lean Thomas if…
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Thomas graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than East Texas Baptist.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Thomas admits 96% 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 | East Texas Baptist | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $30,050 | $30,896 |
| Room & board | $10,629 — East Texas Baptist leads on this measure: lower room & board | $13,678 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $40,679 — East Texas Baptist leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $44,574 |
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 | East Texas Baptist | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 48% | 51% — Thomas leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $52,788/yr — East Texas Baptist leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $44,991/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 — East Texas Baptist leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $24,250 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 44% — East Texas Baptist leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 54% |
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 | East Texas Baptist | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 58% | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,833 | 1,669 |
| Where it is | Marshall, TX | Waterville, ME |
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 | East Texas Baptist | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | ASC | NAC |
| Head coach | Janae Shirley | Jennifer Plourde |
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 | East Texas Baptist | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | Yes | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division III, so the scholarship rules are identical: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
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.
East Texas Baptist
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp | July 31st07/31/2026 · 9th Grade - College Junior · $100
Thomas
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.
East Texas Baptist vs Thomas: common questions
- Is East Texas Baptist or Thomas cheaper?
- On published price, East Texas Baptist is cheaper — about $40,679 a year in tuition and housing, against $44,574 at Thomas. 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, East Texas Baptist or Thomas?
- Thomas, at 51% against 48% at East Texas Baptist (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do East Texas Baptist and Thomas offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division III: 0 (no athletic scholarships). There are no athletic scholarships at D3 — by rule. But D3 schools often award generous academic merit and need-based aid that can rival an athletic scholarship elsewhere.
- Do East Texas Baptist and Thomas run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at East Texas Baptist and none currently listed at Thomas. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at East Texas Baptist and Thomas?
- 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 East Texas Baptist and Thomas 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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