Franciscan University of Steubenville vs Trine: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Franciscan University of Steubenville runs $5,170 less per year; Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates 11 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 Franciscan University of Steubenville if…
- The number on the bill matters: Franciscan University of Steubenville lists $5,170 less per year in tuition and housing than Trine, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Franciscan University of Steubenville graduates 11 percentage points more of its students than Trine.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Franciscan University of Steubenville is $1,616 lower than at Trine.
- Your transcript is a strength: Franciscan University of Steubenville admits 58% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
Lean Trine if…
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Trine graduates earn about $7,135 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Trine admits 85% of applicants.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price: tuition from the federal College Scorecard, room and board 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 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | Trine |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $34,100 — Franciscan University of Steubenville leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $36,560 |
| Room & board | $9,540 — Franciscan University of Steubenville leads on this measure: lower room & board | $12,250 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $43,640 — Franciscan University of Steubenville leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $48,810 |
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 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | Trine |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 75% — Franciscan University of Steubenville leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 64% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $50,030/yr | $57,165/yr — Trine leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,384 — Franciscan University of Steubenville leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $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. | 47% | 44% — Trine 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 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | Trine |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 58% | 85% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 3,750 | 4,471 |
| Where it is | Steubenville, OH | Angola, 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 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | Trine |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | PAC | MIAA-D3 |
| Head coach | Daniella Pillar | Donnie Danklefsen |
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 | Franciscan University of Steubenville | Trine |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Franciscan University of Steubenville
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.
Trine
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.
Franciscan University of Steubenville vs Trine: common questions
- Is Franciscan University of Steubenville or Trine cheaper?
- On published price, Franciscan University of Steubenville is cheaper — about $43,640 a year in tuition and housing, against $48,810 at Trine. 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, Franciscan University of Steubenville or Trine?
- Franciscan University of Steubenville, at 75% against 64% at Trine (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Franciscan University of Steubenville and Trine 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.
- How do I contact the coaches at Franciscan University of Steubenville and Trine?
- 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.
Tuition, graduation, earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard (U.S. Dept. of Education, released June 10, 2026). Room and board, enrollment, and graduation rates at two-year colleges from IPEDS (2023-2024). 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 Franciscan University of Steubenville and Trine accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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