Gwynedd Mercy vs Hood: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs. Gwynedd Mercy runs $7,668 less per year; Gwynedd Mercy 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 Gwynedd Mercy if…
- The number on the bill matters: Gwynedd Mercy lists $7,668 less per year in tuition and housing than Hood, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Gwynedd Mercy graduates 3 percentage points more of its students than Hood.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Gwynedd Mercy graduates earn about $10,056 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- Admissions is the part you are least sure about: Gwynedd Mercy admits 90% of applicants.
Lean Hood if…
- Your transcript is a strength: Hood admits 78% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Gwynedd Mercy | Hood |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $38,310 — Gwynedd Mercy leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $45,870 |
| Room & board | $14,142 | $14,250 |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $52,452 — Gwynedd Mercy leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $60,120 |
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 | Gwynedd Mercy | Hood |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 58% — Gwynedd Mercy leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 55% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $67,145/yr — Gwynedd Mercy leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $57,089/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $25,000 | $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. | 37% — Gwynedd Mercy leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 44% |
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 | Gwynedd Mercy | Hood |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 90% | 78% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 2,165 | 2,078 |
| Where it is | Gwynedd Valley, PA | Frederick, MD |
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 | Gwynedd Mercy | Hood |
|---|---|---|
| Conference | AEC | MAC |
| Head coach | David Hoch | Terry Burdette |
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 | Gwynedd Mercy | Hood |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Do both, then follow with a short email to each staff.
Gwynedd Mercy
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.
Hood
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.
Gwynedd Mercy vs Hood: common questions
- Is Gwynedd Mercy or Hood cheaper?
- On published price, Gwynedd Mercy is cheaper — about $52,452 a year in tuition and housing, against $60,120 at Hood. 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, Gwynedd Mercy or Hood?
- Gwynedd Mercy, at 58% against 55% at Hood (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Gwynedd Mercy and Hood 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 Gwynedd Mercy and Hood?
- 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 Gwynedd Mercy and Hood accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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