Hardin-Simmons vs Howard Payne: Softball Program Comparison
Two D3 programs in the ASC. Hardin-Simmons runs $1,462 less per year; Hardin-Simmons graduates 18 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 Hardin-Simmons if…
- The number on the bill matters: Hardin-Simmons lists $1,462 less per year in tuition and housing than Howard Payne, and neither charges by residency.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Hardin-Simmons graduates 18 percentage points more of its students than Howard Payne.
- You are weighing the degree as an investment: Hardin-Simmons graduates earn about $6,395 more per year a decade after enrolling.
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Hardin-Simmons is $2,082 lower than at Howard Payne.
Lean Howard Payne if…
- Your transcript is a strength: Howard Payne admits 67% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
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 | Hardin-Simmons | Howard Payne |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & feesBoth schools charge one rate regardless of residency. | $32,960 — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: lower published tuition | $34,982 |
| Room & board | $10,634 | $10,074 — Howard Payne leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $43,594 — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: lower total cost per year | $45,056 |
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 | Hardin-Simmons | Howard Payne |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 46% — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 28% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $54,771/yr — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: higher median earnings a decade out | $48,376/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,711 — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $26,793 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 45% — Hardin-Simmons leads on this measure: debt is a smaller share of what graduates earn | 55% |
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 | Hardin-Simmons | Howard Payne |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 90% | 67% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 1,655 | 833 |
| Where it is | Abilene, TX | Brownwood, TX |
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 | Hardin-Simmons | Howard Payne |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Casey Wilson | Bianca Gonzales |
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 | Hardin-Simmons | Howard Payne |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiting questionnaire | — | 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.
Hardin-Simmons
Find the recruiting questionnaireWe do not hold a verified form link for this program — this opens a search.
Camps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Howard Payne
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.
Hardin-Simmons vs Howard Payne: common questions
- Is Hardin-Simmons or Howard Payne cheaper?
- On published price, Hardin-Simmons is cheaper — about $43,594 a year in tuition and housing, against $45,056 at Howard Payne. 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, Hardin-Simmons or Howard Payne?
- Hardin-Simmons, at 46% against 28% at Howard Payne (College Scorecard). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Hardin-Simmons and Howard Payne 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 Hardin-Simmons and Howard Payne?
- Howard Payne runs a recruiting questionnaire — submit it first, since questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules. For Hardin-Simmons, we do not hold a verified form link, so start from the program page and email the staff directly.
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 Hardin-Simmons and Howard Payne accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
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