Fordham vs Saint Louis: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Atlantic 10. Saint Louis runs $17,253 less per year; Fordham graduates earn $14,786 more a decade out.
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 Fordham if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Fordham graduates earn about $14,786 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to play in June: Fordham has reached 1 more NCAA tournament than Saint Louis since 2021.
- Your transcript is a strength: Fordham admits 59% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Saint Louis if…
- The number on the bill matters: Saint Louis lists $17,253 less per year in tuition and housing than Fordham, and neither charges by residency.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Saint Louis admits 75% 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 | Fordham | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $61,992 | $53,244 — Saint Louis leads on this measure: lower published tuition |
| Room & board | $23,075 | $14,570 — Saint Louis leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $85,067 | $67,814 — Saint Louis leads on this measure: lower total cost per year |
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 | Fordham | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 80% | 80% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $85,569/yr — Fordham leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $70,783/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,300 | $25,000 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 28% — Fordham leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 35% |
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 | Fordham | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 59% | 75% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 16,153 | 17,202 |
| Where it is | Bronx, NY | Saint Louis, MO |
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 | Fordham | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 2 of the last 6 tournaments | 1 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Head coach | Melissa Inouye | Christy Connoyer |
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 | Fordham | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 2 listed | 2 listed |
| 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.
Fordham vs Saint Louis: common questions
- Is Fordham or Saint Louis cheaper?
- On published price, Saint Louis is cheaper — about $67,814 a year in tuition and housing, against $85,067 at Fordham. 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, Fordham or Saint Louis?
- Both report a 80% graduation rate (IPEDS, 2023-24).
- Do Fordham and Saint Louis 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 Fordham and Saint Louis run softball camps?
- Both do — we track 2 at Fordham and 2 at Saint Louis. A program's own camp is usually the fastest way to be evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
- How do I contact the coaches at Fordham and Saint Louis?
- 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 Fordham and Saint Louis accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
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